Help with retro keyboard

[JvJ]

Hi, I'm an aspiring keyboard enthusiast, but I need help!

I recently acquired a retro keyboard from a junk pile at my friend's place.  Not sure how old, but I would say early 90s at the latest.  I'm confused by the port.  It looks a lot like a phone jack or ethernet port, but has only 4 pins (or... whatever you call them in this case).  Does anyone know what this might be?  Thanks.

[486]

Most likely a Terminal keyboard. What brand is the keyboard?

[JvJ]

Its Link.  I googled the product number and came upwith this:  http://www.mticom.com/showall.asp?fname=50-120-000-102&Sflag=1

Any hope of use on modern PC?

[486]

Before I go too far, if your keyboard is a LINK EPC, it's a rubberdome.
The connector is an RJ11. There may be a possiblity. Generally PS/2 connector has four (six sometimes)pins. Each of these are for clock, data, VCC, and ground. So, thathas four pins so it seems logical that it could be used. Next question, does the back of the keyboard say anything about voltage. If it's anything but 5v, you need a transformer.

[JvJ]

Nothing i can see about voltage.

[486]

Okay.  Well, some of the link keyboards I have seen use RXD and TXD and that is generally incompatible. I would suspect you board is running at 12v as that is common for terminal serial boards. You could mod it to work but you are most likely better off just keeping it for a momento.
Oh, and if you were to mod, I would say it would be similar to Sun type 5 to USB mods as these are both serial keyboards.

[mich]

There might be some sticker on the bottom.
If you can't find anything, disassemble the sucker and post hires pic of the PCB. Provided that 486 isn't right about it being a rummer dome - if it indeed is then just burn it

Well, some of the link keyboards I have seen use RXD and TXD and that is generally incompatible

RS232? That would be workable.

BTW, transformers don't work with DC.

[JvJ]

Well that modding sounds rather complicated.  Maybe I'll just trash the sucker and see if I can't get myself a model M.

[486]

There might be some sticker on the bottom.
If you can't find anything, disassemble the sucker and post hires pic of the PCB. Provided that 486 isn't right about it being a rummer dome - if it indeed is then just burn it

Well, some of the link keyboards I have seen use RXD and TXD and that is generally incompatible

RS232? That would be workable.

BTW, transformers don't work with DC.

I mean without modification.
I meant converter. My mind is slipping!

[IvanIvanovich]

If it's one of the MX versions, which there are a LOT of since they are 100% the same as old Wyse terminal keyboards... it's not so difficult. There was a really nice guide around before on how to mod it. Basically it involved removing the controller and replacing it with a teensy. If nothing else people would be interested in it's parts instead of binning it.

[Findecanor]

If the arrows on the arrow keys are yellow, then it is a version that has Cherry MX switches. There is some demand on this board for the key caps off those keyboards. Less demand for other parts from it.

[IvanIvanovich]

None of the Link I have had did the yellow, that's a Wyse thing as well as the navy legends. Other brands those boards were sold under usually have plain arrows too, not even the cool triangle ones and all black legends, like the Wyse 'ascii' models. You will have to pull caps to know, rather than going by any of the legends. Though layouts are a good indicator as well, if it matches 100% with a known MX Wyse model it is likely to be an MX board.