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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: snevok on Mon, 16 November 2015, 14:21:04
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I made a mistake and bought two IBM Model M's for a pretty killer price, but being me I made a mistake. One of them is the standard Model M with a PS2 port, but the other one has the RJ45 connector. I was wondering if there was any way to hook it up to my computer, whether I have to buy an adapter, make one myself, or mod the keyboard? The keyboard was 18 bucks and is in pretty good condition, so reselling it is always an option.
Would buying a plain old Ethernet to USB work? They work with printers, why wouldn't they work with a keyboard?
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You need a converter, such as Soarer's converter, to make it work with a modern PC.
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You need a converter, such as Soarer's converter, to make it work with a modern PC.
Ah that's great news! Mind sending me a link to one?
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There are also other ways if you feel ambitious enough....
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61878.msg1721863#msg1721863
This post also has links to Orihalcon's Adapters... et all...
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Sure, here you go (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50437.0)
Here are some other things you might enjoy: Super Awesome Tools and Resources Made By Users! (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69582.0)
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Orihalcon's gear is pricey but works great.
Contact him direct for an off-ebay GH price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true)
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Orihalcon's gear is pricey but works great.
Contact him direct for an off-ebay GH price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true)
This seems like the best option for me. I'm not very good at soldering, so I'd probably end up breaking it anyway. Paying a premium for a cable that works well is worth it to me.
Quick question though, is there any difference between the Model M with the PS2 and the RJ45?
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Orihalcon's gear is pricey but works great.
Contact him direct for an off-ebay GH price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true)
This seems like the best option for me. I'm not very good at soldering, so I'd probably end up breaking it anyway. Paying a premium for a cable that works well is worth it to me.
Quick question though, is there any difference between the Model M with the PS2 and the RJ45?
You didn't look at my post, did you?
To answer your question, not really.
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Orihalcon's gear is pricey but works great.
Contact him direct for an off-ebay GH price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true (http://www.ebay.com/itm/281476431381?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true)
Why would you say I didn't read your post? I was just agreeing with you that just buying a nice cable would be worth it for me. Even so, if there isn't much of a difference, I might just end up selling it to my friend and keeping the PS2 model.
This seems like the best option for me. I'm not very good at soldering, so I'd probably end up breaking it anyway. Paying a premium for a cable that works well is worth it to me.
Quick question though, is there any difference between the Model M with the PS2 and the RJ45?
You didn't look at my post, did you?
To answer your question, not really.
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Quick question though, is there any difference between the Model M with the PS2 and the RJ45?
The main physical difference is usually no LEDs and different key caps.
Electrically, I think the controller is not readily compatible with PCs.
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Let me help you a little bit. There really is not much difference between the RJ-45 model 101/102's and the SDL PS/2 versions. The difference being the controller is different. You can just swap controllers by ordering a new one from Unicomp for $20.
Get an SDL cable, and you're done.
However, if you want, you can add the LED overlay and panel as well if you have a little drive and ambition.
A controller swap is simple to do, no soldering needed at all. All you do is remove the ribbon cable from the RJ-45 controller and attach it to the SDL controller. Done.
BTW, I am currently using a terminal keyboard to post this message...
(http://i.imgur.com/SKBHOWQ.jpg)
http://imgur.com/a/O7ayY
Edit: I feel deja-vu for some reason. Oh yeah.
Why would you say I didn't read your post? I was just agreeing with you that just buying a nice cable would be worth it for me. Even so, if there isn't much of a difference, I might just end up selling it to my friend and keeping the PS2 model.
This seems like the best option for me. I'm not very good at soldering, so I'd probably end up breaking it anyway. Paying a premium for a cable that works well is worth it to me.
If you sell it to your friend, be sure to let him know his options. It will always cost more to convert a terminal board. Be HONEST.
I will also say you didn't read my post. If you did, you didn't read it much.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61878.msg1721863#msg1721863
That post goes through the steps in doing this. It's not hard to do at all!
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Wait, does the keyboard have an rj45 port on it or an rj45 cable coming out of it like the ps2 cable?
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Check out my IBM Terminal RJ45 Keyboard USB Converter (http://“https://www.tinkerboy.xyz/product/tinkerboy-terminal-rj45-to-usb-converter-with-soarers-converter-firmware/”).