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Author Topic: Vintage keyboard- not working  (Read 969 times)

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Offline jcoffin1981

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Vintage keyboard- not working
« on: Fri, 04 July 2025, 14:56:06 »
An associate of mine knows that I am a keyboard aficionado and gifted me a Dell AT101W that he had lying around.  It worked when last used a long time ago.  It requires a PS2 connection so I purchased an adapter, but even with the adapter Windows does not recognize that a device is plugged in.  I don't know if the board is dead, if it's a driver issue, or maybe an issue with the adapter.  It's possible Windows is very fickle about the adapter used or it is defective.

I'd like to use the board for a bit but am not really crazy about the switches used.  I will probably end up selling it for parts or as pre-owned if I can get it to work.  I'd like to have someone else enjoy it instead of it becoming E-waste. 

Unfortunately, I get a message "Forbidden" when I try to post an image.




[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ]





« Last Edit: Fri, 04 July 2025, 15:03:28 by jcoffin1981 »
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KPB V60 Gateron Browns and Leopold Keycaps.  Poker 3 with Gateron Browns and Poker keycaps.  Poker 3 with Cherry MX Browns, ABS keycaps and white LED's.

Leopold FC660M- my new favorite, right out of the box.

Offline Rob27shred

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Re: Vintage keyboard- not working
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 04 July 2025, 15:18:15 »
« Last Edit: Sun, 06 July 2025, 10:47:06 by Rob27shred »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Vintage keyboard- not working
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 05 July 2025, 07:59:45 »
Quote from: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 04 July 2025, 14:56:06

Unfortunately, I get a message "Forbidden" when I try to post an image.


This has been going on for a month or more. Really sucks.

Dell AT101 is a good solid keyboard. I have transplanted better switches into them and been very pleased.

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– Frank V Walton 2025-07-01

Offline jcoffin1981

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Re: Vintage keyboard- not working
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 06 July 2025, 23:23:54 »
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KPB V60 Gateron Browns and Leopold Keycaps.  Poker 3 with Gateron Browns and Poker keycaps.  Poker 3 with Cherry MX Browns, ABS keycaps and white LED's.

Leopold FC660M- my new favorite, right out of the box.

Offline jcoffin1981

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  • Posts: 870
Re: Vintage keyboard- not working
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 06 July 2025, 23:30:36 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sat, 05 July 2025, 07:59:45
Quote from: jcoffin1981 on Fri, 04 July 2025, 14:56:06

Unfortunately, I get a message "Forbidden" when I try to post an image.


This has been going on for a month or more. Really sucks.

Dell AT101 is a good solid keyboard. I have transplanted better switches into them and been very pleased.

Maybe I will keep it then.   The switches appear to be Black Alps, which I know nothing about.  They are a little heavy for my liking, and they feel kind of mushy.  I'm not sure if this is because they are old, unlubed, or if it's just the force curve.
Can I drop replace with any switch of my choosing, or am I limited to certain switches?
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KPB V60 Gateron Browns and Leopold Keycaps.  Poker 3 with Gateron Browns and Poker keycaps.  Poker 3 with Cherry MX Browns, ABS keycaps and white LED's.

Leopold FC660M- my new favorite, right out of the box.

Online Findecanor

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Re: Vintage keyboard- not working
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 07 July 2025, 04:09:55 »
Alps switches can be replaced with other Alps switches only, or new replicas from Matias.

Replacing full switches requires soldering. There are no hot-swap sockets for Alps.

However, they can also be opened up from the top with tweezers. Then the slider, spring and click leaf could be replaced with those from other Alps switches. I think there has also been group-buys of custom springs.
When they are open, you could also take the opportunity to lube them.
One has to be careful not to mar the plastic too much, and to put the slider back in the right orientation. A trick is to mark one side of the slider with a marker before opening them.
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