Need help on identifying keyboard (and maybe how to fix it)

[joshstevens]

I have recently come into possession of an old mechanical keyboard. Problem is, it doesn't work (scroll lock doesn't turn the light on) and I have no idea what it is. I have an active USB-PS/2 converter, and also a passive 5-pin to PS/2 converter. Any ideas on what this thing is, and if there's any schematics online (so I could possibly fix it)? Help much appreciated!

[joshstevens]

[joshstevens]

I plugged it into the mouse connector for the adapter, and it worked. Sort of, like 2.5% of the time. And it didn't do anything useful, just moving my cursor around and clicking it randomly. Also, are internals helpful? I can unscrew it and take a picture of the "guts" if so.

[wjrii]

It's an interesting one. XT/AT style function keys, which is old, as is reserving space for a key to the f-key functions, but otherwise a "modern layout", and with the "BAE" key for Enter, which IIRC came after the Model M layout, but eventually faded.

Before you crack it open, can you post a picture of any labels on the bottom, and see if a normal keycap remover works easily on one of the keys (be careful though)?  Model numbers and FCC ID can sometimes be tracked for boards that were built by OEMs.

[joshstevens]

Here's the singular label on the back.

[joshstevens]

Also, I don't have a keycap remover. Is there anything else I could use?

[joshstevens]

Back of the board.

[joshstevens]

Found it. It appears to be a rebranded "Northgate OmniKey 102 gold label"

[joshstevens]

Managed to pry off the arrow keys with my hands. Ouch. But yay, switches!

[wjrii]

Well done.  I knew the Omnikeys by reputation, but not on sight, so that's my bad.  It's definitely from that line, and the white Alps are well regarded.  Omnikeys should have DIP switches you can check to make sure it's in "AT" mode.

[joshstevens]

It works, it was just my adapter that was the problem. Plugged it into my Arduino and I get signals!