Author Topic: Project "Board Chow" (Read 38750 times)

clickclack · « **Reply #50 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 16:55:53 »

Quote from: keyb_gr;111359

That mystery board would have to be from some kind of terminal, but then which one came with an AT-style L-shaped Enter?

The MX11800 was easy to spot btw - it's the one with the touchpad. It might only happen that it has blacks rather than browns (the Compaq was a custom order).

Oh, I getcha! My memory must be crap cuz I am almost positive that all the keyboards that I have recieved with a touchpad have all been rubber domes.

Quote from: lowpoly;111360

That mysterious BS 'board is from an IBM wheelwriter or some other after-Selectric typewriter.

Awesome! It's so similar to a model M in construciton! I should have taken a pic of the front cover...hmmm maybe I did. Either way the front cae did look much like the front case on the photo! neato!

Quote from: xyzzy;111363

That's a Cherry MX11900 (or G80-11900) with the touchpad: http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/keyboards/Industrial/11900/index.htm - I think it's only been produced with black switches.
I think I can check this out tonight

As far as I know the MX11800 was the variant with brown switches and the trackball in place of the touchpad, no Win keys and was only sold under the Compaq label.

clickclack · « **Reply #51 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 17:00:53 »

here are some more pics from that I went through yesterday... check out them key caps! HAAAHAA i love them!
Especially the "pink" weight lifter! What a riot!

keyb_gr · « **Reply #52 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 17:07:27 »

Quote from: lowpoly;111360

That mysterious BS 'board is from an IBM wheelwriter or some other after-Selectric typewriter.

I guess I should have given the keys a closer look - line space, paper up, paper down...

OK, so I got MX11800 and MX11900 mixed up it seems. Oh well.

Not like I'd be curious or anything, but how does one get into the position to receive keyboard donations?

EDIT: That Extended II with the funky keycaps was intended for video editing. We had a G83-6105 like that here recently, though that only said "Lift" on said key.

clickclack · « **Reply #53 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 17:19:30 »

Quote from: keyb_gr;111372

Not like I'd be curious or anything, but how does one get into the position to receive keyboard donations?
very carefully heehee

EDIT: That Extended II with the funky keycaps was intended for video editing. We had a G83-6105 like that here recently, though that only said "Lift" on said key.

That makes a bit more sense than what I was initially thinking, which was they must belong to a gym....

Here is that missing pic I was looking for from that batch that was mostly mac related, and still in the boxes. (first keyboard pic in this thread) Its a pretty cool mix!

clickclack · « **Reply #54 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 17:48:08 »

Quote from: keyb_gr;111272

The old Apple board is nice. Looks like it has old Alps switches. Too bad the numpad Enter is b0rked.

I forgot to thank you for that link!!!! That was great! I can't read any of it, but i am more of the visual type anyway

I have a few switches that I don't think are on that page. Let me upload one now. This one had two different types! I think I have 2-4 of these boards.

I also have a board that has switches that look like a medieval cross between a cherry and an alps! I can't wait to show it, its so badass!

lowpoly · « **Reply #55 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 17:56:26 »

Those are NMB switches. We call them 'space invaders' here. In Japan the nickname was 'praying mantis' or something like that.

clickclack · « **Reply #56 on:** Sat, 22 August 2009, 19:03:27 »

Quote from: lowpoly;111381

Those are NMB switches. We call them 'space invaders' here. In Japan the nickname was 'praying mantis' or something like that.

:pound:
Hahaaaaa! I can't believe you said that! I wanted to post how they remind me of that old video game "space invaders" and the like.

I like them, they have a nice feel that is very distinct, yet not obtrusive. It has a very lovely muted sound if you type nicely (if you don't type like Mr. clickclack)

I think the spring actually buckles a tiny bit, and you have to slide between the two claw like contacts which give an additional feel. It's a really cool switch!

clickclack · « **Reply #57 on:** Sun, 23 August 2009, 13:20:10 »

I was able to pull out some of the mechanical boards last night with the help of my girl. YAY! So I will be posting a pic with numbers on them and if you guys have questions about them just refer to the number (or system for locating the numbers) and I will be more than happy to look up the board amongst the stack!

I found that one medeival switch I was talking about and a type of ALPS switch that is just pure heaven to type on!. I have also noticed a huge variation of white ALPS switches! They all feel so different yet all so good...
I am so addicted!

Many, many more pics to come =)

clickclack · « **Reply #58 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 03:05:12 »

Quote from: ripster;111377

These pics are starting to remind me of a certain movie....

Show Image

=P

timw4mail · « **Reply #59 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 06:05:51 »

Citizen Kane...

clickclack · « **Reply #60 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 15:15:17 »

So last night after uploading that B&W pic, my computer seemed to have crapped out.

I am using my gf's computer right now at her place. It works for about 3 minutes then freezes or wont do anything. And is only if it works at all after being turned on.

I am guessing when you are in the middle of doing something and the computer shuts off all by itself and reboots, that's a bad thing?

When it came back on it said there was a critical error. And my Trend Micro said it reverted back to it's last stable point, and I should check to see if my computer is still unstable.

I know i am probably screwed but should my main priority be backing up everything (on to an external) when I can get it to work for brief moments?

cmr · « **Reply #61 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 15:26:18 »

could also be overheating. run it with the case open and fans pointed at it. use compressed air to clean out cooling components.

if it's a laptop, kick it to the curb and remember this next time you are tempted to own a laptop. own only desktops, ever.

timw4mail · « **Reply #62 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 15:26:51 »

Quote from: ripster;111615

Could be a power supply issue. They are notorious for causing random shutdowns. Other idea is to unplug everything. I had a Das Keyboard once that would do this.

Power supplies should be considered the most important part of a computer, as they can influence the outcome of all of the rest of the components.

timw4mail · « **Reply #63 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 15:28:42 »

Quote from: cmr;111618

could also be overheating. run it with the case open and fans pointed at it. use compressed air to clean out cooling components.

if it's a laptop, kick it to the curb and remember this next time you are tempted to own a laptop. own only desktops, ever.

Or get a laptop that actually built well (Not a Dell).

clickclack · « **Reply #64 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 15:37:23 »

I figure its not a power supply issue, only because it happened twice doing the same thing. It was when I opened windows media player. So I got rid of the file in the program and now it doesn't randomly shut off after it opens. But the computer only works for about 2-3 minutes after going online, If it works at all doing anything

It then has to be shut off by holding the power button.

itlnstln · « **Reply #65 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:05:24 »

Quote from: timw4mail;111621

Or get a laptop that actually built well (Not a Dell).

Both Dells I have owned have been great. Hardly anybody here at work has had any problems, either.

timw4mail · « **Reply #66 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:41:26 »

Quote from: itlnstln;111629

Both Dells I have owned have been great. Hardly anybody here at work has had any problems, either.

Odd, the Dell laptops I've seen have been overly fragile and troublesome...but that seems to be the case for any company.

cmr · « **Reply #67 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:42:17 »

i used to support student laptops. i've worked on hundreds, maybe thousands, of individual machines. i learned three things from this experience:

- i hate scissor switches and reduced layouts
- i can't use touchpads
- all laptops are of low build quality. A-L-L ALL.

erricrice · « **Reply #68 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:45:06 »

Quote from: timw4mail;111632

Odd, the Dell laptops I've seen have been overly fragile and troublesome...but that seems to be the case for any company.

When did you buy those dells? They have improved a LOT over the last few years. My friend got a dell a few months ago and I almost hit him, lol. But then I actually used the thing and it was much more well built than I expected. Very solid laptop!

erricrice · « **Reply #69 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:46:01 »

Quote from: cmr;111633

i used to support student laptops. i've worked on hundreds, maybe thousands, of individual machines. i learned three things from this experience:

- i hate scissor switches and reduced layouts
- i can't use touchpads
- all laptops are of low build quality. A-L-L ALL.

Compared to Desktops, Absolfreakinloutely!

They're good in their own right though, as long as you treat them like cake

itlnstln · « **Reply #70 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:49:55 »

In any case, if I were to spend money, I would get a desktop (one I built). My laptop is free from work, so I don't really care if it breaks; I just get another, better one.

In a way, I hope it breaks.

Rajagra · « **Reply #71 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 16:55:52 »

Do Dells still come in two flavours - home use (crap parts, lousy support) and professional use (decent build and good support)?

Laptops are always a gamble. Not really user-servicable, and one failed component can put it beyond economic repair.

timw4mail · « **Reply #72 on:** Mon, 24 August 2009, 17:11:39 »

Quote from: Rajagra;111638

Do Dells still come in two flavours - home use (crap parts, lousy support) and professional use (decent build and good support)?

Laptops are always a gamble. Not really user-servicable, and one failed component can put it beyond economic repair.

Maybe that's what I was thinking of.

As far as quality goes, I think the MacBooks are pretty decently built.

itlnstln · « **Reply #73 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 08:11:26 »

Quote from: Rajagra;111638

Laptops are always a gamble. Not really user-servicable, and one failed component can put it beyond economic repair.

This is the most important part. When I give advice on computers, I stress this to no end. I tell them that if they are just going to use the thing around the house, get a desktop; only buy one if they need to travel with it ("but I want to sit on the couch and play games..."). The only reason I have one is I need one for work, and my company bought it. I would not have bought one myself.

clickclack · « **Reply #74 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 13:57:29 »

Well....*crosses fingers*.... my computer seems to work-ish atm. I took a vacum cleaner and sucked out the two fans in the back (a ton of dust guck) was in there, and when I turned on the compuer I noticed the exhaust fan was not moving or making any of those odd sounds I was accustomed to!
So I used the back of a paint brush and used it as a "chicken stick" and the fan started moving!!!!! Yipeeeee! Maybe my computer WAS overheating?

In any event now my computer sits backwards with the fans next to my head and if I hear or see the fan stop I will "chicken stick" it again =P
Ghetto FTW!

I hope this works long enough for me to get another computer.

I want to thank everyone for all the advice and trouble shooting! I really appreciate it, and there are some exceptionally generous people on this forum!
I can't thank you all enough!

cmr · « **Reply #75 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 14:44:39 »

[size=-3]aha so it was a cooling problem like i said[/size]

clickclack · « **Reply #76 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 14:52:38 »

Quote from: cmr;111810

[size=-3]aha so it was a cooling problem like i said[/size]

heehee

And I appreciate it too! If it was not for people bringing it up I would not have even bothered (or known) to check!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys kick ass!

erricrice · « **Reply #77 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 15:10:23 »

Hooray for computers working the way they should! This seems to almost never happen....Lol

Back to the topic at hand.....280 keyboards!!!!!!!!

cmr · « **Reply #78 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 16:28:47 »

Two hundred eighty keyboards

clickclack · « **Reply #79 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 16:29:44 »

Quote from: erricrice;111822

Hooray for computers working the way they should! This seems to almost never happen....Lol

no kiddin!!!!
Now back to the topic at hand....

Here are those two really, really cool switches that I have!
- first is that medieval one with the metal housing (sex between an ALPS and a Cherry switch). I don't believe it is clicky, its kinda like black a cherry mixed with the white ALPS from a Apple extended keyboard II in feel.

- second is that odd blue one (ALPS?) that is just friggin heaven to type on!
its Girlfriend recomended! haahaa

cmr · « **Reply #80 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 16:47:55 »

Quote

- first is that medieval one with the metal housing (sex between an ALPS and a Cherry switch). I don't believe it is clicky, its kinda like black a cherry mixed with the white ALPS from a Apple extended keyboard II in feel.

this looks like someone modified an alps switch to take cherry keycaps....

clickclack · « **Reply #81 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 18:05:05 »

I gathered up some of the mechanical keyboards that I could find. If you guys see something and are curious about it just refer to the number and I can get you some info. like If you want to know the switch or model number or name... (you get the idea)

enjoy...

lowpoly · « **Reply #82 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 18:14:15 »

The "medieval" switch is probably Mitsumi:

http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/mousefan.htm

clickclack · « **Reply #83 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 19:22:26 »

Quote from: ripster;111866

So which one is the Blue Alps and what is the manufacturer and part number on the label?

The blue (ALPS?) one does not have any info on the outside but an FCC ID no. and a S/N number. ( I can look inside the case later to see if anything is listed there ) It feels wonderful to type on but you have to hit it a bit more dead center or it requires just a teeny, tiny bit more force. oh, and it seems to be a relatively light switch. I can use some nickles and a yen piece to find out later the actual dead weight release.

It is #31 in the pic btw
FCC ID no. HQK RB-2001
S/N 91052361

clickclack · « **Reply #84 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 19:29:00 »

Quote from: lowpoly;111867

The "medieval" switch is probably Mitsumi:

http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/mousefan.htm

Here is the info for that one (its #30 in the pic above)

FCC ID: F2Q4NEKB 6000M
QTRONIX
Model # KB-6000M
S/N K032954

I looked at your link but it was very difficult to tell (all garbled text) so I just did a page search for Mitsumi. Of the switches I saw none of them were exactly like the one in my pic. If you combined a couple of the ones provided in your link they would be somewhat similar.

I like the switch it is very light, hardly a tactile bump (not really) and very quiet. The switch mechanism is somewhat loose and key wobble is similar to a rubber dome.

rdjack21 · « **Reply #85 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 21:41:12 »

Quote from: ripster;111877

Comes up in the FCC database as:

Key Mouse Electronic Enterprise Co Ltd NO.3, WUGUNG 5TH RD., HSIN CHUANG CITY,TAIPEI COUNTY

Never heard of em. Wish they had a less generic name because I'm NOT going to save that one as an Ebay search.

I've seen that one on Yahoo Japan I think I will have to see if I can find one that shows the label (most don't).

EDIT: Not quite the same but similar it does state that it is Alps though. Sorry about that. similar does not cut it I know.

Auction: http://page21.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/j47424701

huha · « **Reply #86 on:** Tue, 25 August 2009, 21:54:16 »

Wow, there seem to be not one, but several model Fs. Do I spot an AT model F?

Also, I'd like to see switch pics of #10.

-huha

clickclack · « **Reply #87 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 02:09:08 »

Quote from: huha;111897

Wow, there seem to be not one, but several model Fs. Do I spot an AT model F?

Also, I'd like to see switch pics of #10.

-huha

I have two model F's from what I can tell, #'s 35 and 34 in the pic.
I dont know what AT is. If it has to do with the cord, both cords are cut and both have a thick black stub of a cord left hanging out.

The number 34 (in the pic) model F is significantly lighter to the touch than the #35 model F, and feels wonderful to type on. I even did a "ripometer" on them and on average one is 10-20g lighter than the other one!

If you go to page 4 in this thread you will see a pic of number 10.
enjoy

clickclack · « **Reply #88 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 02:12:23 »

Quote from: rdjack21;111896

EDIT: Not quite the same but similar it does state that it is Alps though. Sorry about that. similar does not cut it I know.

haahaa...
DAMN RIGHT!
=P

it's an awesome switch though, I wonder if its anything like a blue cherry...

sixty · « **Reply #89 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 03:24:47 »

Quote from: ripster;111877

Comes up in the FCC database as:

Key Mouse Electronic Enterprise Co Ltd NO.3, WUGUNG 5TH RD., HSIN CHUANG CITY,TAIPEI COUNTY

Never heard of em. Wish they had a less generic name because I'm NOT going to save that one as an Ebay search.

What a coincidence! I just happened to get a keyboard by the same brand in the mail. I will leave you with this:

http://clicks.t.oomuch.info/2009/08/26/just-in-east-e-701/

xyzzy · « **Reply #90 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 04:38:58 »

Quote from: clickclack;111963

The number 34 (in the pic) model F is significantly lighter to the touch than the #35 model F, and feels wonderful to type on.

#34 is a Model F XT, you'll need a signal converter to use it with a modern PC.
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/11066

#35 is AT, so you just need a very cheap AT->PS/2 adapter...once you've found a working cable

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/9934

Rajagra · « **Reply #91 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 05:01:11 »

Quote from: ripster;111877

Comes up in the FCC database as:

Key Mouse Electronic Enterprise Co Ltd NO.3, WUGUNG 5TH RD., HSIN CHUANG CITY,TAIPEI COUNTY

Never heard of em. Wish they had a less generic name because I'm NOT going to save that one as an Ebay search.

Talk of the devil:
http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=111970&postcount=102
http://clicks.t.oomuch.info/2009/08/26/just-in-east-e-701/

xyzzy · « **Reply #92 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 05:37:21 »

Quote from: clickclack;111844

- second is that odd blue one (ALPS?) that is just friggin heaven to type on!
its Girlfriend recomended! haahaa
Show Image

I'm pretty sure that's not an Alps switch. It could be made by KPT, ages ago lowpoly posted a review of a board with switches that looked similar to that one: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:4402

Unfortunately the images of the switch do not show up now but Google cache helped resurrect the thumbnail:

lowpoly · « **Reply #93 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 06:17:48 »

Using imageshack was not a good idea, it seems. Other pics are gone as well.

ch_123 · « **Reply #94 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 07:08:59 »

Quote from: clickclack;111963

I have two model F's from what I can tell, #'s 35 and 34 in the pic.
I dont know what AT is. If it has to do with the cord, both cords are cut and both have a thick black stub of a cord left hanging out.

The number 34 (in the pic) model F is significantly lighter to the touch than the #35 model F, and feels wonderful to type on. I even did a "ripometer" on them and on average one is 10-20g lighter than the other one!

If you go to page 4 in this thread you will see a pic of number 10.
enjoy

That's a rather big gap between them, although the ripometer method isnt completely accurate with BS's - they tend to give different results everytime you try them.

The AT (the one with lock lights), as has been pointed out, is compatible with modern PCs. You could probably make a cable for it using the cable from another keyboard like an AT101W. I'm not entirely sure what the pin-out for the controller is though.

huha · « **Reply #95 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 07:19:05 »

Quote from: clickclack;111963

I have two model F's from what I can tell, #'s 35 and 34 in the pic.
I dont know what AT is. If it has to do with the cord, both cords are cut and both have a thick black stub of a cord left hanging out.

The number 34 (in the pic) model F is significantly lighter to the touch than the #35 model F, and feels wonderful to type on. I even did a "ripometer" on them and on average one is 10-20g lighter than the other one!

If you go to page 4 in this thread you will see a pic of number 10.
enjoy

You really need to get a working cable for the F.
By the way, when referencing, use post number instead of page. The page a certain post is on depends on the number of posts per page, which can be changed quite easily in the preferences.

-huha

timw4mail · « **Reply #96 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 07:52:32 »

Quote from: huha;112004

You really need to get a working cable for the F.
By the way, when referencing, use post number instead of page. The page a certain post is on depends on the number of posts per page, which can be changed quite easily in the preferences.

-huha

Hypothetically, couldn't one just splice the XT connector with the AT Model F, and match the pinout?

ch_123 · « **Reply #97 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 07:57:26 »

His XT one is missing it too.

As I said though, should be easy enough to make one from the cable of just about any other keyboard, as long as you can figure out the pinout on the Berg connector on the keyboard's controller board.

huha · « **Reply #98 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 08:59:56 »

Usually, the wires are colour coded to facilitate such tasks.
Even if they aren't, you can't really do wrong. GND should be fairly self-explanatory, as is VCC. Then you'll just need to figure out where each of the two data lines goes, but if you mess up, the keyboard will just not work, so you can swap the data lines and try again.

-huha

lowpoly · « **Reply #99 on:** Wed, 26 August 2009, 09:06:38 »

I killed a usb to ps2 converter by connecting VCC to one of the data lines. Was the usb side though.

News:

Author Topic: Project "Board Chow" (Read 38750 times)