Author Topic: Rescued an ALPS board. Can anyone ID? (Read 1909 times)

Jack · « **on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:08:22 »

http://uiu.me/EnQl.jpg

http://uiu.me/zBEl.jpg

http://uiu.me/0hVL.jpg

http://uiu.me/vR6r.jpg

http://uiu.me/HA6L.jpg

Work was going to scrap this (hence the X) so I asked if I could take it home and try to repair it. The Russian told me I could keep it, and it turns out to work just fine, except that the trackpad doesn't work (computer doesn't detect another pointing device). I'm not sure how it's supposed to, since there's only one PS/2 connector on the thing.

White clicky ALPS. Green ALPS on all the * Lock keys. I've mostly only typed on Topre and buckling springs so this is a new one to me.

Anyone have any idea what it is? Searches for 'alps keyboard +inet' and 'white alps keyboard trackpad|touchpad' turned up nothing like this. I've seen the logo on some of the other hardware we get around here but I don't recognize it.

Thanks.

rodtang · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:15:29 »

I think it might have been on what I like to call "a portable desktop" I can't remember what it was called though, cand can't find a picture of the damn thing.

EDIT: Something like this thing http://www.artisan-scientific.com/itemimages/INET_7691_1_View1.JPG

Jack · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:21:06 »

That would explain the bits sticking out of the rear of the keyboard. Maybe the holes along the side are for closing the rig up. But for the life of me I can't see where you would connect the mouse. May take it apart later when I can dig up a screwdriver.

rodtang · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:24:48 »

The trackpad might have been something custom that only work with the PC.

Do you know if they still might have the computer at your job?

Jack · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:30:59 »

I didn't see anything similar near it but I'll take a look around tomorrow. I suppose it is most likely that it's as you say. Thanks.

REVENGE · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:41:19 »

The casing is probably unique to your particular portable, but the keyboard / trackpad module might be OEM'd by SMK, you'll still find these being made for portables, rack mounts, etc.

DaemonRaccoon · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 19:41:24 »

There's a good chance that the trackpad is using one of the extra pins for sending its data (with a shared Clock, VCC, and Ground). PS/2 normally only uses 4 of the 6 available pins.

kps · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 20:23:59 »

Quote from: rodtang;453621

EDIT: Something like this thing http://www.artisan-scientific.com/itemimages/INET_7691_1_View1.JPG

This one's keyboard looks closer, if not identical:

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 32269[/ATTACH]

Inet (acquired by Tektronix in 2004) Spectra2 portable network analyzer.

DaemonRaccoon · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 20:38:02 »

That indeed seems to be it.

Jack · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 16 November 2011, 21:47:41 »

Not sure what you're looking for - I have the "ALPS" stamp and in one corner "5" and in the other any given single capital letter. I only pulled up a few caps but there doesn't seem to be any discernible correlation between the letter and what the key does.

You suppose if I get a PS/2 to USB adapter that only has one PS/2 port the trackpad might work?

rodtang · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 17 November 2011, 09:24:30 »

Not if it uses the extra pins in PS/2.

Ascaii · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 17 November 2011, 11:01:14 »

I have a very similar board which is built into a 19" Rack drawer, nearly identical. Cannot be bothered to take pics right now though cuz I just got home from work. My guess is that it waas a mobile terminal or part of a 19" rackmount control station.

rodtang · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 17 November 2011, 12:17:46 »

Might be worth to try the keyboard on a pc with a mouse/keyboard comboplug.

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Author Topic: Rescued an ALPS board. Can anyone ID? (Read 1909 times)