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Author Topic: MOdel M keyboard questions  (Read 1940 times)

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Offline HotKillerZzz

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MOdel M keyboard questions
« on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:06:46 »
i Have a model M keyboard. It has a weird connector that looks like a RJ45. Can i connect this to my pc?
If its possible, how exactly do i Do it?
thanks in advance
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 12:13:06 »
The connector is called an SDL (shielded data link) connector I believe. You can make your own or buy one. Lots of members like orihalcon's usb converters for this. Alternatively, you can buy an sdl ps/2 cable from ebay or unicomp (pckeyboard.com) and use a PS/2 port. If you don't have a PS/2 port, you can connect it with an adapter. I recommend the ID innovations ones, and use one myself for my model M at work.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 14:49:49 »
Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Sat, 14 September 2013, 03:06:46
It has a weird connector that looks like a RJ45.

If you mean the computer end of the cable, you will need a converter. I made one easily enough, but I don't know whether you can buy it. Look in Soarer's thread about a month or 2 ago.
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That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
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Offline ch_123

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 14 September 2013, 15:27:45 »
Out of curiosity, what is the part number of the keyboard? You probably need a converter as fohat says.
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Offline HotKillerZzz

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 15 September 2013, 11:13:39 »
Is there a guide to making the converter?
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 15 September 2013, 11:14:40 »
Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Sun, 15 September 2013, 11:13:39
Is there a guide to making the converter?

Yes, check this out
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Offline HotKillerZzz

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:34:12 »
What's this soareer converter zip file for?
And what's a teensy?
And so I just cut a ps2 cable from a old equipment and then attach the wires from rj45 to them according to their labels on the pics?

Thanks guys.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:48:48 »
A Teensy is a little project board

http://www.pjrc.com/store/teensy.html

You have to connect 4 wires to it, from your keyboard's controller, then it has a mini-USB socket for a standard USB connection to your computer.

It has to be programmed, and Soarer's Converter is very quick and simple. It can be installed inside the case, or you can build an outside box.

My posts #561 and #901 show my box, and post #560 shows the wcass method for programming keys.
« Last Edit: Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:51:30 by fohat.digs »
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline ch_123

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 16 September 2013, 10:42:10 »
Quote from: HotKillerZzz on Mon, 16 September 2013, 07:34:12
What's this soareer converter zip file for?
And what's a teensy?
And so I just cut a ps2 cable from a old equipment and then attach the wires from rj45 to them according to their labels on the pics?

Thanks guys.

The terminal keyboards use a slightly different signalling protocol to the PS/2 Model Ms, so in order to get consistent behavior, an active adapter is required. The Teensy is a small microcontroller development board which is popular around these parts for making DIY adapters, and Soarer's code is the most popular code for the teensy to make it act as a converter between the terminal keyboard interface and USB.
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Offline HotKillerZzz

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 17 September 2013, 07:53:15 »
How do you get a Teensy?
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Offline 0100010

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 17 September 2013, 07:55:24 »
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Offline HotKillerZzz

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Re: MOdel M keyboard questions
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 18 September 2013, 03:05:52 »
Any one in Singapore can help me get one?
Still a student no acces to cards or bank accounts.
Thanks!!!
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