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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: fraglord on Sat, 25 July 2009, 17:08:15

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: fraglord on Sat, 25 July 2009, 17:08:15

hello,

does anybody have the pin assignment of the Y-cable (SDL --> 2x  PS/2) for the unicomp/IBM M4-1?

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 25 July 2009, 18:34:36

The PS/2 end would be the same as any other k/b or mouse. As for the SDL end... Here's one for the regular Model M.

(http://www.kbdbabel.org/conn/kbd_connector_ibm_m.png)

Now, I once used a Model M cable with an M4-1 and it worked perfectly, however, the reverse isn't true. From that, I'd say that the pinout of the SDL port on the M4-1 is the same, and the junction of the cable somehow splits the data line between the mouse and keyboard ports so that the Trackpoint's signals go to the mouse port, the keyboards to the keyboard port.

Anyone willing to chop open an M4-1 cable in the name of science? =P

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 25 July 2009, 19:05:13

Bingo, so it uses the unused data lines for the mouse... Now why didn't I think of that :p

So that probably means that pin 1 on that SDL connector is used for mouse data, and pin 6 for the mouse clock.

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: fraglord on Sun, 26 July 2009, 03:30:56

thanks for the quick answer!
that will help much, but problem is: where to buy in europe (germany) a SDL connector? :(

only solution i know would be to solder a pair of PS/2 wires directly to the keyboard :frown:

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: fraglord on Sun, 26 July 2009, 06:35:28

because i didnt find any offers for SDL connectors or a cable within europe.
and ordering from USA...shipping costs and probably would double or triple the price for a cable or connector

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: iMav on Sun, 26 July 2009, 06:41:29

Are you simply looking for a Y cable for your M4-1 keyboard?  (was yours lost/destroyed...or perhaps you acquires an M4-1 that didn't come with a cable?)

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: Manyak on Sun, 26 July 2009, 07:34:12

Quote from: fraglord;104454

because i didnt find any offers for SDL connectors or a cable within europe.
and ordering from USA...shipping costs and probably would double or triple the price for a cable or connector

You really can't afford the $2 extra? :confused:

I mean, we're not talking about a keyboard here, just a tiny piece of metal and plastic stuck in a bubble envelope.

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: Manyak on Sun, 26 July 2009, 09:41:24

Quote from: ripster;104468

Part numbers are all up here (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:5718).  The problem is tooling and minimum ordering quantities for some parts are in the thousands.

Shipping will be way more than $2 (more like $20) but it's still the best way to go.

Not if it's sent USPS.

I ship internationally all the time, as long as you don't care for a tracking number it's pretty cheap.

For example, this week I sent an external hard drive in it's retail box from NY to Saudi Arabia for $11. But with a tracking number it would have been $45.

On the other hand, UPS and FedEx both wanted around $130.

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: fraglord on Sun, 26 July 2009, 10:25:37

Quote from: ripster;104468

Part numbers are all up here (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:5718).  The problem is tooling and minimum ordering quantities for some parts are in the thousands.

Shipping will be way more than $2 (more like $20) but it's still the best way to go.

yes i know these connectors are hard to get! didnt find any online-dealer here in germany who sells them. i also dont want to spend a lot of money cos i dont even know if the keyboard itself works :wink:
btw. how much would be a new M4-1 (1998, with trackpoint, black, germany layout, cable included) ? just to know if its worth a try to get a connector or a cable

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: fraglord on Sun, 26 July 2009, 10:45:38

hmm....i guess its not worth to buy a cable...that would cost more than the keyboard with a cable :)

Title: M4-1 Y-cable pin out
Post by: iMav on Mon, 27 July 2009, 02:51:40

Quote from: fraglord;104482

hmm....i guess its not worth to buy a cable...that would cost more than the keyboard with a cable :)

If you want/need a Y cable for your M4-1, PM me with your name and shipping address.