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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mana on Tue, 16 August 2016, 09:08:45

Title: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: mana on Tue, 16 August 2016, 09:08:45

Hi there,

Just got a used Model M, 82G2383. It works well but the cable is a bit frayed and so I am looking to replace it. The 82G2383 has an attached cable though, and when I contacted Unicomp, they said they don't have a replacement cable for the board.

I refuse to believe this as others appear to have had no trouble at all replacing their cables for these Ms from Unicomp.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45605.0
http://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=32544&sid=c34571ca613148056265507e7edc871b

What part number should I order from them or what should I type into their sire into the box that says your keyboard part number?


Also, hypothetically, would it work if I bought an attached USB cable from them instead of a PS/2 one?

Title: Re: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: mrhead on Tue, 16 August 2016, 09:19:40

USB will not work.  The board inside the keyboard will not accommodate a USB interface.  You'll need to replace the cable with a PS/2 cable - you can buy replacement cables for the Model M - I believe they have the SOL connector on one end.  You can cut that off and handwire it to the molex connector on the other end (the part that is connected to the board).

Or... you can do what I did with my AT101W:

Wire the board to the PS/2 headers on one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BSJFJS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then, run it to this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXJGFCY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And then you have a detachable cable interface to use something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UASY666/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Title: Re: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 16 August 2016, 09:26:12

I may have one. Could you snap a close-up picture of the connection so that I know it is the right one?

Title: Re: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: mana on Tue, 16 August 2016, 09:49:05

Wow, fast response!

I don't have the right tool to open the case at the moment so I'll have to update later when I do. That usb mod does seem tempting though!

Title: Re: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: mana on Thu, 18 August 2016, 04:31:17

Okay, so it turns out Unicomp made a mistake and they do in fact have a replacement cable for this keyboard. As I needed to order some replacement keys as well, I have ordered from them to combine shipping to Australia. As an "apology" from them they gave me free shipping (which to Australia is no mean discount).

Thanks fohat.digs for the very kind offer of sending me one. Hopefully someone else who needs it will find it useful!

Title: Re: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: aptivaboy on Sat, 20 August 2016, 21:01:59

That's really nice of Unicomp! Good customer service is always a great thing!

Title: Re: Replacement attached cables for Model M 82G2383 from Unicomp
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 26 August 2016, 06:08:28

Welcome to Geekhack!

Oh look - you found one of my old threads :))

I did end up making a replacement cable for one of my Model M.  Someone had cut the original fixed cable off about 5cm from the case, so I was able to reuse the original plug inside the keyboard, and salvaged a PS/2 cable from an old rubber dome keyboard.

That Model M still works today.