Question for Zenith data systems keyboard owners

[xsphat]

I just picked up a ZKB-2 with yellow Alps (linear). It types alright and it's built like a tank but there is one thing I hate about it — it beeps every time I push a key. The beep comes from the keyboard itself, not from the computer. Does anyone know how to turn it off? the only switch on the keyboard is an XT/AT switch and I obviously have it on AT.

[cmr]

if all else fails you can certainly open the case and disconnect the speaker

[xsphat]

Well yeah, but there has to be a way to stop it without taking it apart.

[iMav]

Well yeah, but there has to be a way to stop it without taking it apart.

No there doesn't.

[huha]

You cannot send commands from a computer to a keyboard. The keyboard sends data. If it beeps, the problem is in the keyboard.

In fact, you can. First, the computer controls the bus, so there's the "command" to receive data. If the computer pulls the AT / PS/2 clock line high, the keyboard won't send anything (or at least shouldn't). Okay, this might be a lame "meta-command," but the computer can actually send commands to the keyboard to modify the number lock, scroll lock and caps lock states.

-huha

[skriefal]

Try pressing Alt+Esc to toggle the speaker on/off.  That works with a different Zenith keyboard that I have here.

[xsphat]

Thanks for the advice. It didn't work, though. I got robbed on this keyboard anyway so I think I should just cut my losses and throw it in the garbage.

Thanks anyway.

[lowpoly]

Alt-Esc didn't work with my ZKB-2 either.

[skriefal]

Guess it's only for the older Zenith keyboards then.  The one I have doesn't even have a model number, and it's in the older XT layout -- albeit seems to be an AT keyboard.

[greynolds]

Press ALT-Apostrophe/Tilde (the upper left key just above the Tab key) to toggle the clicking sound on and off on the 101 key Zenith keyboards.

These are really nice keyboards - I've had one since I was issued a Zenith Z-248 at college back in 1987.  I've bought a few more of these on ebay, but they often require some amount of cleaning and/or TLC to get working well as a lot of them have had tough lives in government use (Zenith sold a lot of these to the government back in the late 80's and early 90's).  Ever since, I've been a keyboard snob .

If you carefully remove the Zenith logo plate on the top left of the ZKB-2 keyboards, there's a switch to select between AT and XT modes.

I've got 2 ZKB-2's (1 of which needs a few Alps switches replaced and has some damaged key caps), a ZKB-2R (this model has red indicators instead of green for Caps Lock, Num Lock, etc.), and another one with the same ALPS switches, but it's newer and doesn't have a ZKB model #.  The newer one also has a 3 way mode switch - AT/RD, AT/GR, and XT.  Does anyone know what the difference is between the AT/RD and AT/GR modes?  This one has a FCC ID of IFO-557KBD17 and manufacturing date of 0990.

[Red October]

Bummer.

It looks like the Dutch burn the keyboards they don't like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxCOA-ojwQw

I'm assuming Webwit will tell us it's an ancient Wodan ritual.

- Ripster

Hah!  It must be some sort of Scandanavian/north European thing to put old equipment to a violent end; My girlfriend and I studied photography under Arno Rafael Minkkinen, a brilliant Finnish photographer.  When my girlfriend's camera broke down, he suggested engaging in the Finnish tradition of "Camera-Toss".  He has quite the sense of humor, so to this day I'm not too sure if he was simply taking a piss at us or if he was serious (Well, about as serious as he gets.)