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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: Mental Hobbit on Thu, 04 February 2010, 11:51:47

Title: [de] Strange IBM Terminal (?) kb
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Thu, 04 February 2010, 11:51:47

This (http://cgi.ebay.de/IBM-Tastatur-Mod-K1A-Klick-abneh-Tastenkappen-XT-AT_W0QQitemZ120526750089QQcmdZViewItemQQptZM%C3%A4use_Tastaturen?hash=item1c0ff44189) looks like some common 122-key IBM Terminal. 1390888 appears to be an IBM type number too. But the label doesn't look like IBM. "Made in the Netherlands", uhm?

Seller's description says: "Unfortunately I couldn't test the kb, as I don't have a PS2 adapter. According to my neighbor it works though."

Very illuminative ;)
I guess a PS2 adapter won't help with this specimen?

Title: [de] Strange IBM Terminal (?) kb
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 04 February 2010, 12:21:38

That's an IBM terminal keyboard alright. Note the IBM logo on the top right hand corner.

As for the "Made in Netherlands" bit, I'd bet it's been refurbished by a Dutch repairer.

It's a 3179 terminal keyboard apparently. Might be adaptable with aid of a PS/2 cable swap.

Title: [de] Strange IBM Terminal (?) kb
Post by: kishy on Thu, 04 February 2010, 12:29:04

3179 = same non-AT/XT compatible DIN plug as my 1386887s had. Yes, it can be converted using the current cable swap method.

Worth noting: my recommended conversion method is going to become the ATmega32-based controller currently popular in Modifications once mine is built (assuming I have considerable success with it).

Title: [de] Strange IBM Terminal (?) kb
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Thu, 04 February 2010, 12:35:51

Cable swap method - are you saying just cutting off the plug of the existing cable and soldering on a PS2 plug would be sufficient?

Title: [de] Strange IBM Terminal (?) kb
Post by: kishy on Thu, 04 February 2010, 12:40:50

Quote from: Mental Hobbit;156253

Cable swap method - are you saying just cutting off the plug of the existing cable and soldering on a PS2 plug would be sufficient?

Without meaning to be rude, there has been a gigantic, highly detailed thread about this around for quite a while (it was the reason I registered here in fact).

That said, it is gigantic, so...

Yes, replacing the cable (since the original is quite short) gets you basic functionality, basically like a quirky Model F AT. Throw some jumpers on some pins inside (see the thread) and you get a marginally better level of operation (or no change, depends on how good it was to start). Swap a driver (Win2k/XP) and you've got even better functionality.

Then you've got to remap the keys, but most members here have a method for doing that already. It starts out almost exactly like an AT Model F from a layout perspective.

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