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Author Topic: Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.  (Read 3400 times)

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Offline exe_arco

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:39:27 »
So a day ago I found quite an interesting find.

It's this AT&T keyboard that has a Male Serial connector.



Here's a picture of the connector.


Now, how would I go about using this in a modern computer.

I have a male serial to PS/2 connector and I tried using that but to no avail.

I had it hooked up as (keyboards male serial)(female to female)(male serial to ps2)(ps/2 port) and nothing would work.

Does any one have any other info about this odd keyboard, as it has exactly the same buckling spring as an IBM MODEL M and removable keycaps.
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Offline MMB

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 14:46:03 »
This guy makes custom connectors. He is really helpful, too. He might be able to make a USB adapter for you.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/orihalcon?ssPageName=ADME:X:CEM:MOTORS:1181

This is the same guy that makes the IBM Model M to USB adapters, that don't suffer from key rollover, and other issues.
I would suggest sending him a message, sending pics and asking.
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Offline exe_arco

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 15:12:30 »
Quote
This guy makes custom connectors. He is really helpful, too. He might be able to make a USB adapter for you.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/o...EM:MOTORS:1181

This is the same guy that makes the IBM Model M to USB adapters, that don't suffer from key rollover, and other issues.
I would suggest sending him a message, sending pics and asking.

I would prefer to find a way to do this my self but if nothing arrives I'll contact him.
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Offline exe_arco

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 15:24:19 »
Quote
This guy makes custom connectors. He is really helpful, too. He might be able to make a USB adapter for you.

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/o...EM:MOTORS:1181

This is the same guy that makes the IBM Model M to USB adapters, that don't suffer from key rollover, and other issues.
I would suggest sending him a message, sending pics and asking.

I would prefer to find a way to do this my self but if nothing arrives I'll contact him.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 16:14:10 »
Orihalcoin does good work.

I have, or had, a serial-to-PS2 connector, but it may need to be "active"
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Offline REVENGE

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 16:55:18 »
Don't go about chaining adapters willy-nilly, you don't want to put +5V on something you're not supposed to. I would open up the board and see if there are signs that it uses PS/2 on the PCB.
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Offline exe_arco

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 18:16:32 »
Quote from: REVENGE;612918
Don't go about chaining adapters willy-nilly, you don't want to put +5V on something you're not supposed to. I would open up the board and see if there are signs that it uses PS/2 on the PCB.


What would be the signs that it uses PS/2?
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Offline REVENGE

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 13 June 2012, 22:58:47 »
Quote from: exe_arco;612974
What would be the signs that it uses PS/2?
Well, if there are pads or through-holes labeled as 5v, ground, clock, and signal, it could be a sign that it uses AT.
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Offline mich

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Old AT&T Model M like keyboard.
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 14 June 2012, 02:20:05 »
This is a typical pattern for old XT,AT and PS/2  keyboards.

First, look for capacitors as they will give away the ground and power supply lines. Once you identify these lines, check if remaining two lines are pulled to VCC by 2k-4k resistors. If your circuit matches this schema then it's almost certainly XT/AT or PS/2.
Code: [Select]

                            _____
vcc -----+-----+-----+------|    |
         |     |    _|_+    |    |
        | |   | |   ___     |    |
         |     |     |      |    |
data ----+-----|-----|------|    |
               |     |      |    |
               |     |      | uC |
               |     |      |    |
clock ---------+-----|------|    |
                     |      |    |
                     |      |    |
                     |      |    |
ground --------------+------|____|          



ground --------------------- metal parts in the keyboard


If in doubt, post a pic.
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