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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 11:08:08

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 11:08:08

Ok, I'm sick of losing cables to my cat munching them (He's an idiot, loveable, but really stupid).

So... I am going to take my 1391406 in the worst condition, and whack it on a removable 9Pin D-Sub so that it is still removable. Why 9 Pin? It looks about the right size, is commonly available, and will be so for the forseeable future.

I have 9 pin sockets and plugs, PS/2 6 pin Mini Din and some Cat5 cable (In a colour-coded Purple, my missus would be proud!). Pinouts have been sourced at http://www.tavi.co.uk/ps2pages/ohland/keyboard.html#SDL_PS2 (http://www.tavi.co.uk/ps2pages/ohland/keyboard.html#SDL_PS2).

Anything I should know before I attack this with a Soldering iron and Dremel?

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 12:28:29

SDL connector came out just fine (Soldamop rules!).

D-Sub is connected to the cable at the KB end. Just need to attach it at the PS/2 end, and internally in the KB.

The D-Sub's "Wings" and the SDL's are identical, so with a bit Hot Glue (Temporary), it'll sit in there just great methinks.

I did consider USB, but other people do occasionally use this PC, and I just know it'll get jammed straight into a USB port, despite it not making sense to do so...

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: sggsix on Mon, 31 August 2009, 12:51:45

Quote

Luckily he never developed a taste for Topre cables or I'd have to shoot him.

Lmfao, my cat does the same thing..........  But his diet consists of the wires with cloth on them like steel series products have.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: Mercen_505 on Mon, 31 August 2009, 12:58:49

My cat is exceedingly smart: he only targets the most expensive objects in the house.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 13:15:52

Quote from: ripster;113429

Actually, the USB Mod I linked DOES make it a fully USB keyboard.  Not worth the effort unless you have a keyboard you really want to protect.

Like your Wang.  Your cat doesn't nibble on your Wang does he?  (somebody make me stop......)

No, the **** does not nibble on the Wang... :Cry:

Apparently, IBM's not only type better, but taste better too!

Will get it finished later tonight, when the GF and Duaghter are in bed... the Daughter is currently "Helping" me by running away with my Screwdrivers...

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: sggsix on Mon, 31 August 2009, 13:17:38

Quote from: insancen;113433

no, the **** does not nibble on the wang... :cry:

Apparently, ibm's not only type better, but taste better too!

Will get it finished later tonight, when the gf and duaghter are in bed... The daughter is currently "helping" me by running away with my screwdrivers...

lmfao!!!

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: rdjack21 on Mon, 31 August 2009, 13:32:16

Quote from: InSanCen;113433

No, the **** does not nibble on the Wang... :Cry:

Apparently, IBM's not only type better, but taste better too!

Will get it finished later tonight, when the GF and Duaghter are in bed... the Daughter is currently "Helping" me by running away with my Screwdrivers...

Oh running away with a screwdriver is not to bad a pain yes. Try taking apart a HHKB Pro with the kids around. My daughter ran off with one of the domes and my son just loved those little conical springs.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: rdh on Mon, 31 August 2009, 18:06:23

Quote from: InSanCen;113362

Ok, I'm sick of losing cables to my cat munching them (He's an idiot, loveable, but really stupid).

So... I am going to take my 1391406 in the worst condition, and whack it on a removable 9Pin D-Sub so that it is still removable.

Pet stores sell bitter tasting stuff you can put on your cables and such, which might eventually discourage him.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: talis on Mon, 31 August 2009, 18:30:33

Quote from: rdh;113494

Pet stores sell bitter tasting stuff you can put on your cables and such, which might eventually discourage him.

If the weak stuff the pet store sells doesn't work, see if you can get your hands (well gloved hands) on some pure bitrex.  That is almost guaranteed to do the trick.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: talis on Mon, 31 August 2009, 19:03:01

It seems like another possible solution, if it continues to be a problem is to just put a RJ-45 jack on the keyboard end, and one right down near the PS/2 jack.  That way you can use a standard off the shelf network cable between them.  Easy to replace, and cheap to buy anywhere.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 19:17:23

Quote from: talis;113512

It seems like another possible solution, if it continues to be a problem is to just put a RJ-45 jack on the keyboard end, and one right down near the PS/2 jack.  That way you can use a standard off the shelf network cable between them.  Easy to replace, and cheap to buy anywhere.

If I'm going to Cut 'n' Shut the cable, I might as well replace the SDL socket. It's going be a pig to find cables for it one day (Long before the keyboard itself wears out), and this just seems a lot easier somehow.

Besides, I'm done... well, sort of.

All soldered up, but I need to pop some support holes in there to hold the keyboard side of it in. This involves a Dremel. I won't be doing that at 1:15AM unless I fancy Amateur castration from her Ladyship.

As for the Jaffa the cat. If I see the little sod doing it, he'll get properly shouted at. Can't really do more than that though, Kinda like him too much. They do learn eventually, he won't walk on top of my PC's case now, ever since I took the fan guard from the top mounted 80mm Delta Screamer. The vet's bill that followed this lesson wasn't so nice though.

I like the cable sleeving idea. I may just braid it if he goes through this stuff (Solid Core CAT5. My KB doesn't move much), and see if that puts him of.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 19:43:08

Quote from: ripster;113518

Ouch.

Japanese subway sign:

Show Image

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_l0JribeVY4I/RxS6IbQGBpI/AAAAAAAAAco/9f6KUgSD9eU/s400/5-10%2BSubway%2Bdoor%2Bsticker%2B2.jpg)

Yup, pretty much. He has a little bald bit on the end of his tail now.

Here's what I think is the correct pinout of the controller PCB, as Viewed from above. If you think any different, Yell at me (please do, or I may let the magic smoke out!)
(http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc307/InSanCenPP/Mpinout-1.png)

Parts list for those in the UK.

Cable (VB20) *Any 4 core will do nicely, I used this as it was lying round, and a funky colour*
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=19868
PS/2 Plug (JX04)
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=1110
9 D-sub socket (RK61) & 9 D-sub plug (RK60)
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=1113
9 D-sub Metal Hood (CT71)
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=12059

Numbers in () are Maplin Order codes (Yeah, I work there, give the staff a break, write the order codes down).

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 31 August 2009, 20:17:04

Quote from: ripster;113526

Yep - bottom of your diagram corresponds to bottom edge of keyboard.  Check to make sure the 5V line isn't shorted with a multimeter before plugging in and you should be fine.

Good Good... Nothng is shorted (Visual check, my Multimeter seems to be stuffed, new toy tomorrow methinks)

Quote from: ripster;113526

LOL - this sounds promising:

I had it left over from a 2,500 seat cabling job I did. Great cable, cost a bloody fortune back then. Only thing that met the Regs though... and Purple is a great colour for a Keyboard cable!

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Tue, 01 September 2009, 04:55:49

Well, somethings not right with it.

I did end up having to mes3s the case around quite a bit, so mabye I've knocked something out.

Will look at it in a bit.

Oh, and while I was messing around trying to recess the D-Sub, I decide3d some drainage channels were in order, judging by the gunk pooled in the bottom of it.

Title: Modding SDLto 9Pin D-Sub
Post by: InSanCen on Fri, 04 September 2009, 17:40:53

It Lives!

My soldering is **** (Shaky hands... think Parkinson's and you're there). Dry joint had pulled off under flex.

Re-did the lot with decent (Lead, fluxed) Solder, and it's as good as I'll get it.

Had to semi-permanently attach the cable though. The standard D-dub screws that lock the 2 parts together won't reach through the thick plastic, so I enlarged the holes on the female connector (not on the KB), and put M3 nuts and bolts through it. Still removable... to a Point. I need to think another way to rework it. Maybe USB after all.