Keyboard only works before OS boots: what to do?

[elmwood]

I recently bought an old Zenith Data Systems keyboard off of eBay.  No model number, I'm afraid.  Alps green, if you're really interested, almost no yellowing, and a Control key were God intended it to be.

Anyhow, the keyboard works just fine, but stops when the OS begins to boot.  I can use it to adjust bios settings, but for little else.  I tried it in my two desktop boxes (one running XP, the other Ubuntu), and the behavior is the same; works when the computer begins to post, but it dies immediately after the OS starts loading.

Anyone ever encounter this before?  Is there a solution?

[bhtooefr]

How do you have it interfaced to the computer? If it's through a USB adapter, log in using a working keyboard, and then plug it in once you're logged in.

[elmwood]

How do you have it interfaced to the computer? If it's through a USB adapter, log in using a working keyboard, and then plug it in once you're logged in.

5-pin DIN (AT) to PS/2 connector to the PS/2 keyboard port.  I've used old AT keyboards (later eBayed 'em) with no problem in one of these computers before.

[bhtooefr]

Now that's just weird.

I wonder if the OS is trying to pull it up in the wrong mode or something. (There are different modes for AT and PS/2 keyboards, IIRC - but they SHOULD be almost identical.)

Try this... bring it up with a regular PS/2 keyboard, and then swap the boards out.

[elmwood]

Now that's just weird.

I wonder if the OS is trying to pull it up in the wrong mode or something. (There are different modes for AT and PS/2 keyboards, IIRC - but they SHOULD be almost identical.)

Try this... bring it up with a regular PS/2 keyboard, and then swap the boards out.

Tried that already, too, and ... nope, didn't work.

The keyboard doesn't have an XT/AT switch like many other keyboards from the mid-1980s.

It's odd that the bios will work with the keyboard, but not the OS.  Maybe a USB adapter like this one??

[sandy55]

1. Please clarify key layout.  Usual 101 key with large reverse L enter or XT layout with 10 function keys at the left side?

2. If it's a Xt style, please upload pics of zenith logo, top row of num key section.   also, it should have a silver sticker on the bottom, what is the number combination of 3 digits - 4 digits ?

3. if it's AT 101 key layout, plug the board to older machine, PIII or earlier, directly to ps/2 port via AT to ps/2 adapter.  it seems like a compatibility issue with recent chip set...or BIOS.

test test test.... my zkb-2 working fine with P4 machine ( relatively old )   via at to ps/2 then to ps/2 to USB adapter. good good fine.

[andb]

I'll bet you its an XT only board. I have about 8 of these and despite their being beautiful, Ive come to grips with the fact that I'll only use them to harvest parts. Just like you, they work in BIOS, but not after. No cable will get you working, you need a microcontroller based "translator" between the AT and XT protocols, IIRC.

Its one of the ones with the 10 F keys on the left correct?

You might want to return it to the seller if it was expensive. Look for one of the ZKB-2s if you really want a Zenith, they are the best they made, IMO.

[Edit] I think that some of the early boards do have a switch inside to change between AT and XT. You should open it and check, just in case. Also, I found the springs in the greens to be a good deal stiffer than the ones in the yellow switches. [/Edit]

[itlnstln]

No cable will get you working, you need a microcontroller based "translator" between the AT and XT protocols, IIRC.

Clickykeyboards sells these for about $100.  If you are serious about using keyboards from that era, then, maybe, this is a good buy.  Otherwise, well, at least it looks pretty.

[sandy55]

I'll bet you its an XT only board.

It may be, most likely. But *some* of XT style Zenith in same casing can coop with AT PCs.  that's the reason why I asked Q #2.

[elmwood]

1. Please clarify key layout.  Usual 101 key with large reverse L enter or XT layout with 10 function keys at the left side?

2. If it's a Xt style, please upload pics of zenith logo, top row of num key section.   also, it should have a silver sticker on the bottom, what is the number combination of 3 digits - 4 digits ?

3. if it's AT 101 key layout, plug the board to older machine, PIII or earlier, directly to ps/2 port via AT to ps/2 adapter.  it seems like a compatibility issue with recent chip set...or BIOS.

test test test.... my zkb-2 working fine with P4 machine ( relatively old )   via at to ps/2 then to ps/2 to USB adapter. good good fine.

Thanks for your thorough questions!

1)  XT style layout; function keys to the left; Unix-style layout (Control key to eft of A, Escape to left of 1)

2)  Bad iPhone photo:

 

3)  No silver stickers, nothing at the bottom of the keyboard.  Strange.  Here's what's on various stickers inside:

444-400-1
Copyright
M 1985


Zenith
Data
Systems Corp.

PCB reads "ALPS 12KC564B HP-294V-0".  Sticker on the underside of the PCB reads "65R 02436"

It didn't cost much: $20 plus about $20 shipping.

[skriefal]

Does it look anything like the second keyboard in this photo?  I have one of these, and it works fine within Vista -- with AT->PS/2 adapter, and also when used with a PS/2->USB adapter.  This one also has no model number or part number on the case, but I think it may have originally been used with a Zenith Z-248 workstation/PC.

[elmwood]

Does it look anything like the second keyboard in this photo?  I have one of these, and it works fine within Vista -- with AT->PS/2 adapter, and also when used with a PS/2->USB adapter.  This one also has no model number or part number on the case, but I think it may have originally been used with a Zenith Z-248 workstation/PC.

It looks exactly like that keyboard.  I ordered a cheap PS2/USB adapter (with a signal converter), so I'll see if XT -> PS/2 -> USB works.  I'd hate to scrap it; there's very little yellowing, but if it ultimately doesn't work, I can at least sell you the old case!

[skriefal]

It's unlikely that it's an XT keyboard.  If it were then it wouldn't have worked on my new-ish 2.5Ghz Core 2 Quad PC.

[sandy55]

are the keys in top row of num key section exactly same with Skriefal's picture?  I'm asking size of each key and existence of LEDs.

Small silver sticker with Zenith p/n is the key, actually.

You wrote that it works during BIOS setup, then it should work ....at least on DOS, I believe so.
What about changing keyboard driver to  PS/AT 84 keys or  PC/XT 83 keys before you connect the board to your system?

[elmwood]

are the keys in top row of num key section exactly same with Skriefal's picture?  I'm asking size of each key and existence of LEDs.

Small silver sticker with Zenith p/n is the key, actually.

You wrote that it works during BIOS setup, then it should work ....at least on DOS, I believe so.
What about changing keyboard driver to  PS/AT 84 keys or  PC/XT 83 keys before you connect the board to your system?

Yup, it's it. Same key size and LED location.

[sandy55]

well then your Zenith board may work with non-XT PC.  Some of Zenith XT style keyboard with silver log on off-white background and with "that shape of NumLock w/LED and ScrlLock w/LED" work fine with modern PCs. "Some" means there are "the others" which won't work on modern PCs even though they are exactly same cosmetically.  another tip, Gold and silver logo on black background is XT use only. Hope your is non-XT one.