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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ander on Mon, 08 October 2018, 05:26:54

Title: Buckling spring experts: Lexmark Model M with 4-pin PS/2 plug?
Post by: ander on Mon, 08 October 2018, 05:26:54

Calling buckling spring gurus...

I just posted here in "Great Finds" (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=97650.new#new) about a 1995 Lexmark-made Dell Model M (p/n 1369050). The seller says it's "in working condition", but it looks like it has only 4 pins in its PS/2 connector. (There's a closeup on the page.)

The Model M cables I have handy all have 6 pins. Did Lexmark economize at some point and use cables with only the pinouts they needed?

If you have some insight into it, please post in the Great Finds topic, okay? Thanks!

Title: Re: Buckling spring experts: Lexmark Model M with 4-pin PS/2 plug?
Post by: Olumin on Mon, 08 October 2018, 15:01:05

Yes it seems that way.

Technically Keyboards only use 4 out of those 6 Pins to beginn with, so it would make sense for Lexmark to save on Produktion by cutting those 2 out.

It should work perfectly fine.

If it has a removable cable and it really bothers you, just replace it.

But it should give you no Problems. Not that a quick google Search wouldn't have told you that already...

Title: Re: Buckling spring experts: Lexmark Model M with 4-pin PS/2 plug?
Post by: Snowdog993 on Fri, 12 October 2018, 00:20:53

Quote from: Olumin on Mon, 08 October 2018, 15:01:05

Yes it seems that way.

Technically Keyboards only use 4 out of those 6 Pins to beginn with, so it would make sense for Lexmark to save on Produktion by cutting those 2 out.

It should work perfectly fine.

If it has a removable cable and it really bothers you, just replace it.

But it should give you no Problems. Not that a quick google Search wouldn't have told you that already...

Well, kinda, sorta.
The first PS/2 cables that came out, did, in fact have 4 pins. The other 2 pins were added when they could use them for RS/6000 systems. But that's not THAT important, is it?

Title: Re: Buckling spring experts: Lexmark Model M with 4-pin PS/2 plug?
Post by: ander on Sun, 14 October 2018, 02:54:15

Quote from: Olumin on Mon, 08 October 2018, 15:01:05

Yes it seems that way.

Technically Keyboards only use 4 out of those 6 Pins to beginn with, so it would make sense for Lexmark to save on Produktion by cutting those 2 out.

It should work perfectly fine.

If it has a removable cable and it really bothers you, just replace it.

But it should give you no Problems. Not that a quick google Search wouldn't have told you that already...

Thanks, but would you mind lowering your voice? I finally got the kids to sleep.

Title: Re: Buckling spring experts: Lexmark Model M with 4-pin PS/2 plug?
Post by: Snowdog993 on Mon, 15 October 2018, 14:14:07

Found it. Here ya go.