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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: fohat.digs on Wed, 20 August 2014, 17:59:22

Title: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 20 August 2014, 17:59:22
So, nobody has stepped up to comment on this ultra-badass keyboard.

I got it at a salvage shop but have not been able to test it, probably because I lack software drivers. It responds with nice clean beeps when I press the keys, but Windows 7 will not see it. I have connected it via PS/2 and also with the big AT plug (on the assumption that it needs a separate power source) but no dice.

Software drivers have always turned up after a trivial internet search in the past, but these seem to be closely-held and proprietary.

Does anybody know how to get anywhere with this? I want to test it, at the minimum, and/or likely sell it, because it is certainly a valuable and all-but-indestructible piece of industrial hardware.

Anyone who wants or needs a truly hard-core keyboard should take this off my hands.
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 20 August 2014, 18:20:31
You found this user guide?  http://www.bematechus.com/web/Documents/KB3000_UM.pdf
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 20 August 2014, 18:25:21
When presented with a mysterious PS/2 device I hook it up to a soarer PS/2 to USB converter and run HID_listen to see what it's getting.
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 20 August 2014, 18:41:19
When presented with a mysterious PS/2 device I hook it up to a soarer PS/2 to USB converter and run HID_listen to see what it's getting.

Nada.

You found this user guide?  http://www.bematechus.com/web/Documents/KB3000_UM.pdf

Yes, it popped up immediately. It refers to the driver, but does not actually give it to you ......
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 20 August 2014, 18:48:26
How about the PS/2 link on this page?  http://www.bematechus.com/kb3/

Link: http://www.logiccontrols.com/web/Utils/LKUtility.zip

The readme in there says it's the driver.
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 20 August 2014, 19:07:43
How about the PS/2 link on this page?  http://www.bematechus.com/kb3/

Link: http://www.logiccontrols.com/web/Utils/LKUtility.zip

The readme in there says it's the driver.

Sorry, but no, been there, done that, multiple tries.

It is the installer for the driver, but not the actual driver.
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 20 August 2014, 19:40:31
I suspect the PS/2 port is disabled somehow. Have you tried a USB / serial adapter (or an old machine with a serial port)?
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 20 August 2014, 19:57:15
I suspect the PS/2 port is disabled somehow. Have you tried a USB / serial adapter (or an old machine with a serial port)?

The way I read the users guide is the PS/2 port is an input for another keyboard, and you have to use an adapter from J2 to connect to your computer:

Quote
Connecting the KB3000 to a PS/2 computer:

1. Use the supplied interface cable. Plug in the 6-pin DIN connector of the interfacecable into J2 of the KB3000.
2. Connect the 5 pin DIN connector of the interface cable into the 5 pin DIN of the AT-to-PS/2 adapter.
3. Plug the PS/2 connector of the adapter into the computer’s key board port.
4. Connect the PS/2 keyboard into J1 of the KB3000.

NOTE 1: J5 and J6 are not used in this configuration.
NOTE 2: The AT-to-PS/2 adapter is not supplied but can be ordered from the manufacturer.

The steps for connecting to an AT port are essentially just 1 and 2 of the above, but plugging into a computer instead of an AT->PS/2 adapter.
Title: Re: Metal Domes and Commercial / Industrial Application
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 20 August 2014, 20:22:26
When presented with a mysterious PS/2 device I hook it up to a soarer PS/2 to USB converter and run HID_listen to see what it's getting.

I will try some of this.

Connecting a straight-through male-male PS/2 cable from keyboard to computer powers the keyboard at least enough to make the switches beep, even with nothing else connected.