geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Bojan on Tue, 20 September 2016, 10:27:34

Title: Questions for owners of Unicomp PC122 5250 keyboards
Post by: Bojan on Tue, 20 September 2016, 10:27:34

• Do I understend correctly that Unicomp PC122 5250 keyboards (http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/PC122) are not really terminal keyboards, but in fact standard plug-and-play PS/2 and USB keyboards?
  
  
• Second question is for owners of Unicomp PC122 5250 PS/2 keyboard with 2 rows of function keys (F1-F24) (http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/UB40T56), who also happen to own Blue Cube and/or ID Innovations adapter (or any other PS/2-USB adapter that can still be bought).
  What happens with extra keys (F13-F24 and other non-standard keys) if you plug your keyboard through adapter to USB port on motherboard? Do they work as they should? I think I remember reading some time ago that only standard 103 keys work through adapter, but I can't find that source any more (although that doesn't make any sense if extra keys are in fact Shift or Ctrl key combinations, as they are according to this document (https://support.pckeyboard.com/download_attachment.php?kb_att=55)).
  
  
• Third question is for owners of Unicomp PC122 5250 Left Side Function Keys keyboard (http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/40L5A). According to photos, this keyboard has F1-F15 keys in two top horizontal rows, and F1-F10 keys in two left vertical rows. That's two sets of F1-F10, one set of F11-F15 and no F16-F24 keys. I can't believe that that's possible. Can someone please confirm that it's not just a weird error on the photo on Unicomp's website. Also, if it's not an error, is it possible to remap those keys to more sensible layout (F1-F24 in two horizontal rows, additional 10 extra keys - hopefully programmable - in two vertical rows). I like the normal numpad layout of this keyboard and also the fact that it has ISO-style Enter key in combination with ANSI-style left shift key (also, could you please confirm these three facts - normal numpad, ISO enter and ANSI left shift), but this F-keys layout would be deal-breaker.

Thanks for your time! I am preparing to spend some money on keyboard (a lot of money in fact, because shipping to Croatia will cost me more than keyboard itself), so it's crucial for me to choose wisely.

Title: Re: Questions for owners of Unicomp PC122 5250 keyboards
Post by: Tactile on Tue, 20 September 2016, 13:14:35

Mine is a USB & the answer to #1 is yes.

Title: Re: Questions for owners of Unicomp PC122 5250 keyboards
Post by: Bojan on Tue, 20 September 2016, 13:41:32

Quote from: Tactile on Tue, 20 September 2016, 13:14:35

Mine is a USB & the answer to #1 is yes.

Thank you!

I hope someone can answer questios 2 & 3  :)

Title: Re: Questions for owners of Unicomp PC122 5250 keyboards
Post by: Tactile on Tue, 20 September 2016, 13:55:36

The F13-F24 keys do not send unique scancodes. They send shifted scancodes. F13, for example, is simply Shift-F1, and so on to F24 which sends Shift-F12. Real terminal keyboards have unique scancodes for all of the F keys, and these don't. Some people don't like this. But, since they are simply shifted scancodes, they should work through a PS/2<->USB adapter.

In Windows, I use AutoHotkey with this keyboard and it's a great combo.