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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Special K on Tue, 21 April 2015, 21:58:02

Title: What type of connector is this?
Post by: Special K on Tue, 21 April 2015, 21:58:02

I bought a Northgate Omnikey 101 off ebay and it came with a cable whose PC end looks like this:

[attach=1]

Is that an XT connector?  What would be the easiest way for me to use this keyboard?  Do I need to buy a soarer converter?  Is there a cable that plugs into the Ominkey but is a PS/2 on the other end?  What about a cable that plugs into the Omnikey but is AT on the other end?  If so, can I use a blue cube adapter with an AT cable?

Title: Re: What type of connector is this?
Post by: Arcanius on Tue, 21 April 2015, 22:03:39

It's a standard DIN connector. The Omnikey is compatible with both XT and AT, depending on the DIP switch config. All you need is a passive DIN-PS/2 adapter and it'll work with PS/2. The PS/2 can then be put into a Belkin or Blue Cube.

EDIT: There is a manual for the keyboard available on Deskthority. For PC/AT compatibility and standard layout, all the DIP switches should be in the off (down) position.

Title: Re: What type of connector is this?
Post by: Special K on Tue, 21 April 2015, 22:17:07

Quote from: Arcanius on Tue, 21 April 2015, 22:03:39

It's a standard DIN connector. The Omnikey is compatible with both XT and AT, depending on the DIP switch config. All you need is a passive DIN-PS/2 adapter and it'll work with PS/2. The PS/2 can then be put into a Belkin or Blue Cube.

EDIT: There is a manual for the keyboard available on Deskthority. For PC/AT compatibility and standard layout, all the DIP switches should be in the off (down) position.

Thanks!

Title: Re: What type of connector is this?
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 22 April 2015, 09:48:22

Don't be tempted to use a straight male-male PS/2 cable from the Northgate to the motherboard, it won't work.

In the Blue Alps Tour thread I showed how to fabricate a standard PS/2 setup.

Title: Re: What type of connector is this?
Post by: Special K on Wed, 22 April 2015, 18:54:52

For reference, here are some AT to PS2 adapters I found:

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10414&cs_id=1041401&p_id=1128&seq=1&format=2
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Keyboard-Converter-Adapter-Din5f/dp/B000067RBR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1429746870&sr=8-1&keywords=belkin+at+to+ps2