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Author Topic: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?  (Read 2502 times)

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Offline CalmB4tehPwn

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Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 04:56:33 »
I've got minimal experience with soldering, and have a new solder station on the way. I recently found a nice little DIN 6 keyboard that I actually like quite a bit, but I would also like to... use it?

So, is it possible to just hack off a DIN 6 connector and put a USB in it's place?

Also, would the keyboard work? Or is there more to it than that?

Also, would this be advisable? There's a good chance I'll be looking to sell this at some point, so assuming this is all possible, would it take away the value of this nice little vintage board?
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 06:36:58 »
I don't see why you couldn't just Soarer/Teensy mod the board. I know that my Siig Minitouch has a Din6 Connector and I run a Din6 to Ps/2 adapter then PS/2 to USB adapter. Seems like your idea would work. Go look up the thread on it the Soarer mod.

Yes it will work since I type on my Minitouch. And it depends on the keyboard more than anything. Just because you mod it doesn't mean it adds to or takes away from the value. But I think in this case it would add to a little value because it's nice to have straight up USB connection that works. Sometimes I don't like hunting vintage stuff since they have weird connectors or protocols that don't work with modern computers and renders the keyboard a paperweight.
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Offline CalmB4tehPwn

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 06:40:36 »
Soarer mod. Okay.

I have to learn this then. Should be fun. I'm assuming it's just adding a controlled to the board that all the connections would be wired into, and the controller is USB compatible?
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Offline Photekq

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 06:41:13 »
I'll do this myself now and report back.
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 06:42:27 »
Involves a Teensy. I don't know a lot off the top of my head. I just know it works. Like I said, there's a massive thread that should be able to help you out. It's even sticky-ed.
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Offline CalmB4tehPwn

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 06:44:00 »
Cool. thanks.
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 07:02:17 »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 07:22:44 »
Is "DIN 6" what we often call the "AT" plug or the "XT" - that is - a 180 degree layout?

My F-122s use the 240 degree span, and they all (except "mini-DIN6" aka PS/2) have 5 pins but only use 4.
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 07:31:05 »
It's AT fohats.digs. For some reason, I fell into calling it DIN6.
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 07:39:14 »
I'm investigating this mod option myself, as I have a couple of Focus keyboards I want to fit with detachable USB cables.  Need to order some Teensy boards, I just got six Teensy break-out PCBs from OSH Park.  Also need some sort of USB connector for the cases... 
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 08:27:03 »
If you build an outboard box, you only need 1 Teensy.

I have used this with a variety of adapters - PS/2-to-AT, 240-degree-to-AT, RJ45-to-AT and all seemed to work fine for both conventional and terminal keyboards.

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“Citizens United violates the essence of what made America a great country in its political system. Now it’s just an oligarchy, with unlimited political bribery being the essence of getting the nominations for president or to elect the president.
So now we’ve just seen a complete subversion of our political system as a payoff to major contributors, who want and expect and sometimes get favors for themselves after the election’s over.”
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 08:37:34 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 22 August 2013, 08:27:03
If you build an outboard box, you only need 1 Teensy.

I have used this with a variety of adapters - PS/2-to-AT, 240-degree-to-AT, RJ45-to-AT and all seemed to work fine for both conventional and terminal keyboards.

That is true...  I even have a small(ish) box from Radio Shack I could use for this.  Thanks for the suggestion!
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Offline Photekq

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #12 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:13:45 »
Well I wired up my din focus board via usb, it seems to make a connection but says 'usb device not recognised.
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Offline Tarzan

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:16:17 »
Quote from: Photekq on Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:13:45
Well I wired up my din focus board via usb, it seems to make a connection but says 'usb device not recognised.

Can you type on it?  It sounds like we'd need the internals from one of those PS2-to-USB adapters.
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Offline Photekq

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Re: Converting a DIN 6 to USB. Possible?
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:21:56 »
Quote from: Greystoke on Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:16:17
Quote from: Photekq on Thu, 22 August 2013, 10:13:45
Well I wired up my din focus board via usb, it seems to make a connection but says 'usb device not recognised.

Can you type on it?  It sounds like we'd need the internals from one of those PS2-to-USB adapters.
The LEDs come on, but don't react to me pressing the lock keys. Then this message comes up : http://i.imgur.com/XCLXQ9J.png

I can't type on it :/

If you wanna try it yourself, connect these wires together :

Din>usb
thick black cable that's screwed onto the plate>black
thin black cable > red
grey>green
red>white
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