IBM Model M rare? What do I have? This thing has an RJ45 connector and no lights

[montag]

Hey guys,

I have known almost nothing about mechanical keyboards except for the fact that the IBM Model M is the one to have. I found one in pristine shape at work that was about to get thrown away and I can't seem to identify it. It has some weird features. My understanding is it was common to have RJ45 style jacks, which this one does, but I have yet to find one without led lights online. This one just has a square plastic panel the same color as the rest of the housing, and it's nonremovable where the caps lock and num lock lights should be. I am assuming it was made the 29th of September, 1989. Is this anything special or is it just an average keyboard? It came from a lab so it may have been bundled with some lab equipment.

This is what it says on the back:

IBM Corp. 1984

Part No 1392595
ID No   5004097
Date    21SEP89
Plt No F7            Model M

What adapter would you guys recommend using to get this to a USB or PS/2 functional keyboard? I really don't want to solder and hack at this.
I have other questions pending... thanks guys.

[Ekaros]

I don't know better, but it's likely for some terminal and as such might need special work to get working. New controller like teensy likely would do the trick.

[montag]

Oh, yikes! Well I could do it but it would be reluctantly. I'd have to list my assembly programming friend probably.

[montag]

This is what I have exactly. He did say it was a terminal keyboard...

showthread.php?10780-IBM-Model-M-Terminal-1392595

[montag]

"Beware of buying IBM model M keyboards intended for IBM TERMINAL COMPUTERS. These have a 5-pin DIN connector or RJ-45 like connector at the end (looks like an Ethernet cable or telephone cable end), but they CANNOT be used or interfaced to work on a PC.
IBM model M keyboards (#1390238 or #25H2142) are for IBM TERMINAL computers and are also clearly labeled as model M, but they are NOT compatible with modern PC desktops. These keyboards usually have 122-keys or 101-keys."

[montag]

Yes, you have a terminal Model M. That is, a Model M keyboard intended for use with specific IBM dumb terminals rather than personal computers.

Relevant links are in my sig; pay attention to the USB converter by Soarer, it's especially handy.

A thousand thanks for this. This is exactly what I needed. Seems like I'll have to build it but I can solder and the instructions are all there.

[ch_123]

"Beware of buying IBM model M keyboards intended for IBM TERMINAL COMPUTERS. These have a 5-pin DIN connector or RJ-45 like connector at the end (looks like an Ethernet cable or telephone cable end), but they CANNOT be used or interfaced to work on a PC.
IBM model M keyboards (#1390238 or #25H2142) are for IBM TERMINAL computers and are also clearly labeled as model M, but they are NOT compatible with modern PC desktops. These keyboards usually have 122-keys or 101-keys."

Usually 102 in fact... The regular sized ones have an extra key than the standard Model M.

Googling the part number shows this to be an IBM 3151 keyboard, complete with the cool numpad keycaps.

[SmallFry]

Heh. Sorry for the off topic, but I just realized that the OP's Username is Monday in German. Montag: Does it have anything to do with the novel Fahrenheit 451?