This keyboard came with my first computer, a Dell Pentium 90 workstation I pulled from a dumpster when I was about 13. That workstation is long gone but I kept the keyboard and used it as my primary until 3 years ago. The switches are worn out, the tactile bump is all but gone on about a third. Activation force varies wildly between them. PS/2 ports are becoming rare, and the 2kro sucks for gaming. It's time for a refresh.Cool project, looking forward to updates
So here's the plan. I ordered a five pack of the Matias clicky switches to try out, and I was impressed with the feel. Time to order more switches and some diodes. I'm going to hand wire a new matrix and convert to usb using a teensy (haven't decided on a firmware yet). In the mean time I've started with dissassembly today. The keycaps are soaking in some soapy water and I'll probably start desoldering tomorrow evening. For now, pictures:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/BKLmYea.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/6jNpfmX.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/ICIyNPA.jpg)
A new lease on life for the ol' girl. This will definitely be fun.
I've never been a fan of blinky lights, but the soft glow of backlit keys on an AT101 would be fun and definitely turn some heads. Had you considered tarting her up some?
https://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/another-single-switch-circuit-board-t11420.html?sid=ba365146b3db77a858d80e07006cbd86
Gotta love an old AT101! I pulled one with blacks out of a dumpster, and turned it into a handwired teensy run split keyboard https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79278.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79278.0).
The imgur build log has some pitfalls I ran into, and I don't envy you desoldering that circuit board (though I did want to try another time with a blowtorch...), but hopefully there's something in there you might make use of and save time with.
I had plans on making a sandwich case for it with a laser cutter, so the original case is untouched. You're welcome to it if you're looking to retain the original appearance, and damage yours in some way... and pay shipping ;D
Good luck! :thumb:
Attached some laser cutter pics only because I just did it yetserday and I'm still excited
Man desoldering is a royal pain in the ass. I might need to buy a desoldering iron to do the rest. It took me over 2 hours to do what you see here. Can't wait to get started wiring up the new switches.
Okay so after my frustration with how slow things were going last night I was ready to try something different. Perhaps something drastic...Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/PDw4vTd.jpg)
I took the board out to the garage and taped it down to my table saw. Then I took an angle grinder to the backside. In no time it had removed all the solder joints. As well as the solder mask, the traces and much of the PCB.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/IXfzgGb.jpg)
But hey, it took all of about 30 seconds :))
After that the pcb pulled right of and the switches just popped out of the plate. At this point I ran over to my local walmart and grabbed a rattle can. They had some orange rustoleum on clearance so that's what I got.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/yy1i67z.jpg)
Turns out it doesn't look half bad.
There is someone on eBay selling 10 AT101W's for $100, but after watching the video, replacing them all with Matias switches seems like such a pain it couldn't be worth anything in the world :mad:
Any plans for a backlight since the matias switches are transparent? :p
This keyboard came with my first computer, a Dell Pentium 90 workstation I pulled from a dumpster when I was about 13. That workstation is long gone but I kept the keyboard and used it as my primary until 3 years ago. The switches are worn out, the tactile bump is all but gone on about a third. Activation force varies wildly between them. PS/2 ports are becoming rare, and the 2kro sucks for gaming. It's time for a refresh.
So here's the plan. I ordered a five pack of the Matias clicky switches to try out, and I was impressed with the feel. Time to order more switches and some diodes. I'm going to hand wire a new matrix and convert to usb using a teensy (haven't decided on a firmware yet). In the mean time I've started with dissassembly today. The keycaps are soaking in some soapy water and I'll probably start desoldering tomorrow evening. For now, pictures:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/BKLmYea.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/6jNpfmX.jpg)Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/ICIyNPA.jpg)
You could, but the matrix is ... interesting (I tried to work it out on a phone, doesn't look terrible but not straight rows/columns as you would do it) and I don't see any diodes so you would have ghosting when you press multiple keys which you would need to prevent in firmware.
I highly doubt it has a gaming optimised matrix but that typing is impressive (assming it's the matrix not firmware tweaks) Sounds like you know what to do so give it a go and report back :)
Welp, about the matrix, let's say I learned that identifying which are columns and which are rows is irrelevant, it's just about pinout coordinates, I started drawing the matrix and got bored because there was no way to consistently identify rows and columns, and including both in one draw is just a mess even in the most perfect keyboard matrix. So now I will assign the coordinates and report back with pinouts an other stuff.Rows and columns are only good names for the trace patterns in DIY boards made by sane people, you just need to know what's connected to what. If you have diodes you also need to record which diode is attached to which switch so be thankful you don't have any.
I was thinking of starting a thread where people submit matrices, pinouts and other stuff of prebuild keyboard to help other people revive a dead PCB or get a good keyboard for cheap, I'm absolutely certain there are many people here that have handwired a prebuild PCB to convert it to QMK. Do you thinks it's worth creating a thread for it?
Rows and columns are only good names for the trace patterns in DIY boards made by sane people, you just need to know what's connected to what. If you have diodes you also need to record which diode is attached to which switch so be thankful you don't have any.