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Author Topic: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)  (Read 3773 times)

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Offline Laser

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Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 17:41:43 »
How hard it is to modify an IBM from ISO to ANSI? I just want a longer left shift, and the ANSI enter with the  \| key above. I know i have to bolt mod it or similar (which i intend, anyway).

I don't have much luck (yet) in buying those 3 keys i mentioned above, at a reasonable price (clickykeyboards.com has them cheap, but shipping is more than 24$ to Europe). Anyone have such keys to sell?
(i can't post yet in the classifieds section, either ...). Thanks
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Offline damorgue

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Re: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 17:50:17 »
Is there a particular reason to mod it? Such mods have been made in the past, but I believe mainly on rarer models and models where one or the other standard is less common that the other. If it is just a regular Model M I would suggest you just get an ANSI one instead.
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Offline Laser

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Re: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 17:55:36 »

It's hard to find an ANSI keyboard on ebay, coming from European Union ...
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 18:19:54 »
My guide is about the Model F, but about halfway through I describe how to move springs from ISO to ANSI.

Just do that in reverse.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg1122437#msg1122437
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Offline Laser

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Re: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 18:30:37 »
I love reading such guides :)

I'd like to mod it for several reasons - i'm VERY used to ANSI keys, i'd like to make sure the keyboard is "future"-proof (solid), and i even think to move it USB (somebody published on a hardware forum i think, the schematics of a replacement controller board) - well maybe not that; and even for a simple reason, to examine it's internals and test for example that floss mod (- at the same time checking if it doesn't have any hidden defects).

(Knowledge, assurance, comfort, experiment)
How well does it all sound - and yet, i need those keys to start with


« Last Edit: Fri, 14 March 2014, 18:35:57 by Laser »
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 18:50:22 »
Quote from: Laser on Fri, 14 March 2014, 18:30:37
I love reading such guides :)

I'd like to mod it for several reasons - i'm VERY used to ANSI keys, i'd like to make sure the keyboard is "future"-proof (solid), and i even think to move it USB (somebody published on a hardware forum i think, the schematics of a replacement controller board) - well maybe not that; and even for a simple reason, to examine it's internals and test for example that floss mod (- at the same time checking if it doesn't have any hidden defects).

(Knowledge, assurance, comfort, experiment)
How well does it all sound - and yet, i need those keys to start with



About replacement controller: there is an interesting post here
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=19104.0

I recommend just using a teensy or similar (arduino pro micro?) mounted inside the case running soarer's PS/2 to USB code. You also get programmability.

To convert to ANSI:
1. bolt mod the M
2. get an ANSI enter key (and stabilizer insert) from unicomp or somewhere
3. place hammer in correct place, reassemble and test.
4. ???
5. profit.
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Offline Laser

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Re: Modding an IBM model M (ISO to ANSI)
« Reply #6 on: Fri, 14 March 2014, 19:15:57 »

Nice link!
Pitty my electronic skills are close to none (apart from soldering). Originally i saw this one, for the USB mod: http://mg8.org/rump/ (the "File" section, especially).
I will have some time to decide, this is also a nice part of the process :)
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