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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: chimera15 on Sun, 29 November 2009, 01:58:33

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: chimera15 on Sun, 29 November 2009, 01:58:33

So A lot of the hacks I've take compact keyboard pcbs and rig them to cut down large size boards.  It means I need to hack apart 2 keyboards to make one.  I've noticed other people do the same thing, they use a new chip or board to make a compact.  

How difficult would it to reprogram the original chip of a keyboard, so like you could add a function key, and a number pad like on a compact/laptop board, or is such a thing impossible?

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: JBert on Sun, 29 November 2009, 09:17:47

For original chips from keyboards, its mostly impossible as most of them can only be programmed once.

If you do have one which can be reprogrammed (like one with flash memory, EPROM or EEPROM) you could blank it and install new firmware if you have a proper programming device.

You will probably need to write the firmware yourself though and the programming device won't come cheap either. You may want to check any acquaintances with a background in electronics to see if they would happen to have the necessary gear and knowledge.

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sun, 29 November 2009, 09:26:03

I have never really noticed people having to update the firmware on computer keyboards.

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 29 November 2009, 09:31:22

It's probably for programming the firmware in the factory. Unicomp's PS/2 controller boards have twice as many pins as there are contacts in the keyboard, yet the unused pins are wired up the controller chip. I suspect that this is for their re programming for custom layouts.

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: microsoft windows on Sun, 29 November 2009, 09:32:33

That sounds like a valid explanation. I wonder if there's any way to re-program them at home.

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: Ulysses31 on Sun, 29 November 2009, 12:15:54

You'd want to use an FPGA of some sort, probably as part of a kit that contains hardware for programming etc.  Non-reprogrammable chips are generally used because they're cheaper and more robust.

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: chimera15 on Sun, 29 November 2009, 14:27:01

Ah well, was worth a shot, that answered my question. Thanks.

Title: Any way to reprogram a chip?
Post by: wolf on Thu, 04 February 2010, 04:06:33

Quote from: chimera15;137218

Ah well, was worth a shot, that answered my question. Thanks.

And mine, too, worse luck!

I was hoping someone here would have some instructions for remapping the keys within the keyboard firmware itself.

I guess I'll have to come up with another brilliant plan.