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Author Topic: Model M Non Responsive  (Read 2134 times)

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Offline mrt88

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Model M Non Responsive
« on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 15:45:24 »
Hi, a few months ago I found a 1991 IBM Model M on eBay, it worked wonderfully for a few weeks but has now stopped working, I thought it was the PS2 port on my computer so I replaced it with a USB adapter but without success.

I tried a Keyboard tester and whilst it made the lock lights activate it wouldn't register any of the keystrokes, i'm somewhat at a loss to understand whats happened to it
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Offline keyb_gr

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 16:45:31 »
Stuck key somewhere?
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Offline theferenc

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 16:48:06 »
Welcome to geekhack!

There are only a few USB adapters that work with a Model M: the Belkin, the blue cube, and the Dynex from Best Buy.

The one that looks identical to the Dynex and the Belkin, that is available at most office supply stores, does not work.

So, maybe try one of the other adapters.

It could be a controller that has gone bad, as well. There are replacement controller projects here in the mods section, if you're handy with electronics.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline Superfluous Parentheses

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 17:01:17 »
May be the controller broke. If so, there are a few mods on this board that completely replace the controller or swap it with a USB controller. AFAICT, both options will require some soldering and roughly 10 ~ 40 dollars in parts. May be someone on the classifieds section here is willing to sell you an original controller board.
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Current collection: HHKB Pro 2 black on black, HHKB Pro 2 white/grey blank, [strike]Dell AT101W[/strike] (sold to SirClickAlot), 1992 Model M, Key Tronic Ergoforce KT 2001, BTC 5100 C. Dead boards: MS Natural Elite, MS Natural 4000.

Offline jpc

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 18:56:40 »
Check that the removable cable is fully plugged into the keyboard?
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RSI prevention recipe:[/B] Kinesis Contoured, Colemak layout, touch typing, Contour Design Rollermouse,  Logitech TrackMan Wheel, Logitech m570 trackball, "workrave" break timer software, "awesome" window manager, tenkeyless boards, cherry browns, Wang 724 with "ghetto green" ALPS, standing desk and/or comfy adjustable chairs, stress reduction, computer time reduction.

Fun non-ergonomic things: bolt modded Model M Space Saving Keyboards with new springs, Kensington Expert Mouse v7, Unicomp Endurapro, Northgates

Offline mrt88

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 06 March 2011, 21:06:25 »
I doubt it's a stuck key, I stripped down and cleaned the entire thing and tested the action on every key, they're all working

I could be the adapter, it's none of those 3 and is a no name adapter in the style of the Belkin and Dynex, given what you've said about only those 3 working that's a likely cause of the error, I know the PS/2 port on my computer is broken as none of my keyboards work off it any more, I'll look into getting one of those 3 adapters and see if that fixes the problem, if it doesn't well at least I have an adapter which will work once I fix the controller

I'm not too bad with electronics but rebuilding internals is definitely a last resort step to me lol

thank you for all your help and suggestions fingers crossed I can get it working again
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Offline bhtooefr

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 07:14:01 »
Just to make sure, try opening up the keyboard, removing the FFC cables from the controller, and plugging them back in (it's a bit tricky to plug them back in).
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Offline mrt88

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 10:25:59 »
Yes I have been hotplugging, only recently discovered that you're not meant to do that with PS/2

I removed all cables when I stripped down the board and triple checked that the cables were re seated correctly
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Offline mrt88

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 10:33:18 »
until this issue occurred I never even thought about hotplugging then extra research made me realise what I'd been doing was wrong
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Offline mrt88

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 15:37:46 »
Feeling happy but rather foolish now, the problem is fixed just wish I'd thought of the alarmingly obvious solution a little sooner

After what was said about hotplugging PS/2 connections I had a thought and connected up my keyboard with the computer off, lo and behold once I started it up the problem had gone and my keyboard worked perfectly, I must be too used to USB, I'd never even thought about trying whilst the machine was off....
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Offline keyb_gr

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 07 March 2011, 18:14:41 »
*chuckle*

That's why making things easier can be a bad thing, people get sloppy.

Anyway, good to see the problem solved.
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Hardware in signatures clutters Google search results. There should be a field in the profile for that (again).

This message was probably typed on a vintage G80-3000 with blues. Double-shots, baby. :D

Offline mrt88

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Model M Non Responsive
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 08 March 2011, 08:31:58 »
certainly not a mistake I'll be making in future that's for sure, ah well always a good learning experience
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