Northgate Omnikey 101 not recognized

[Special K]

I have a Northgate Omnikey 101 that I bought on ebay.  I have the 101's default cable plugged into a DIN5->PS/2 adapter (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000067RBR/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) which is plugged into a blue cube (http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-PS2-Keyboard-USB-Adapter/dp/B000BSJFJS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1430277443&sr=1-1&keywords=blue+cube) which is plugged into a USB cable which is in turn plugged in to a USB port on my motherboard.

All of the jumpers on the 101 are set to the down position, which should correspond to AT or PS/2 according to this (see page 5): http://deskthority.net/w/images/3/38/Northgate_OmniKey_Users_Guide_Apr92.pdf

When I plug everything in, nothing happens.  None of the lights on the keyboard come on, and none of the keys produce any response.  My Model M works just fine when I follow this procedure (minus the jumper switches and DIN5->PS2 adapter).

Is there something I'm missing here, or did I get a defective board?

[Bludude4]

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64670.msg1593827#msg1593827

[fohat.digs]

Sometimes a reboot helps, and try cold- and hot-plugging the final USB.

And perhaps minimize the number of connections and/or try a powered USB hub.

[overdriver]

I had a similar situation with my Omnikey keyboard.
In my case... it was the faulty ps/2 cable that came with the keyboard as you refer as 'default ps/2' cable.  I ordered a new ps/2 male to ps/2 male cable from ebay. then I used the AT(Din5) to ps/2 adapter you mentioned above. and it was plugged into the ps/2 port of my PC.
It has been working perfectly ever since.
If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

BTW, my jumper setting is same as yours(all down). so it's not jumper setting that causes that.

[Special K]

I had a similar situation with my Omnikey keyboard.
In my case... it was the faulty ps/2 cable that came with the keyboard as you refer as 'default ps/2' cable.  I ordered a new ps/2 male to ps/2 male cable from ebay. then I used the AT(Din5) to ps/2 adapter you mentioned above. and it was plugged into the ps/2 port of my PC.
It has been working perfectly ever since.
If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

BTW, my jumper setting is same as yours(all down). so it's not jumper setting that causes that.

The default cable for the Northgate Ominkey 101 is PS/2 (din6m) male on the keyboard end and DIN5 male on the PC end.  If you bought a PS/2 male to PS/2 male cable and a PS/2 to din5 adapter, how did you then connect the din5 end to your PC's PS/2 port?  It seems like you would have needed another adapter.

Do I really need to buy PS2 (din6M)->PS2 (din6M) + din6F->din5M + din5F->din6M to use this with my blue cube and a USB cable?

[fohat.digs]

That cable stuff is weird.

If you have a spare cable (I used a beige IBM rubber dome cable with ground wire) you can bypass the original stuff and make an attached PS/2 cable. I cut 2 pieces of plastic to make an escutcheon for the hole that used to be the female mini-DIN6 socket, and attached it with M2x8 screws and nuts from a Model M bolt mod.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=49604.msg1262678#msg1262678

[opensecret]

If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

Agree.   Northgates will play very well with modern PCs with some keyboard remapping and good cables.  The cable combo from cablestogo.com that has worked well for me is:


Item #:       09471
Product:      10ft PS2 M/M Keyboard/Mouse Cable
Stock Status:      In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity:     1
Item Price:   $12.99
Total Price:  $12.99
**********************************************************************
Item #:       27225
Product:      1ft USB to PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Adapter Cable
Stock Status:      In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity:     1
Item Price:   $19.99
Total Price:  $19.99
**********************************************************************

[Special K]

If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

Agree.   Northgates will play very well with modern PCs with some keyboard remapping and good cables.  The cable combo from cablestogo.com that has worked well for me is:


Item #:       09471
Product:      10ft PS2 M/M Keyboard/Mouse Cable
Stock Status:      In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity:     1
Item Price:   $12.99
Total Price:  $12.99
**********************************************************************
Item #:       27225
Product:      1ft USB to PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Adapter Cable
Stock Status:      In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity:     1
Item Price:   $19.99
Total Price:  $19.99
**********************************************************************

Based on the above, you were able to get it working using a straight PS/2 male->male cable plus a PS/2 to USB adapter.  I have read other people on GH insist that the Northgate Omnikey 101 will absolutely not work with a straight PS/2 cable, even though the port on the keyboard looks like PS/2.

You are using a Northgate Omnikey 101, correct?

Also  at those cable prices.

[fohat.digs]

I have read other people on GH insist that the Northgate Omnikey 101 will absolutely not work with a straight PS/2 cable, even though the port on the keyboard looks like PS/2.

I have tried it with more than one keyboard and more than one cable, but perhaps I simply had bad gear.

If off-the-shelf cables work properly, that is great news.

[overdriver]

I had a similar situation with my Omnikey keyboard.
In my case... it was the faulty ps/2 cable that came with the keyboard as you refer as 'default ps/2' cable.  I ordered a new ps/2 male to ps/2 male cable from ebay. then I used the AT(Din5) to ps/2 adapter you mentioned above. and it was plugged into the ps/2 port of my PC.
It has been working perfectly ever since.
If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

BTW, my jumper setting is same as yours(all down). so it's not jumper setting that causes that.

The default cable for the Northgate Ominkey 101 is PS/2 (din6m) male on the keyboard end and DIN5 male on the PC end.  If you bought a PS/2 male to PS/2 male cable and a PS/2 to din5 adapter, how did you then connect the din5 end to your PC's PS/2 port?  It seems like you would have needed another adapter.

Do I really need to buy PS2 (din6M)->PS2 (din6M) + din6F->din5M + din5F->din6M to use this with my blue cube and a USB cable?

I am sorry to confuse you. my memory failed me LOL. I got confused myself because I use Focus 2001 sometimes. so there was no need for a Din5 to Din6 adapter for Omnikey. It was only for Focus keyboard.

I am typing this comment with my OmniKey 101 using just PS2 M/M Keyboard Cable(din6 and male on both end. a plain straight cable).
I ordered it from ebay (I think I paid about $5 for 10ft cable).
I have no idea why some people say that straight ps/2 cable doesn't work... because I use it everyday so... there is nothing but a male ps/2 cable between my Omnikey 101 keyboard and PC(ps/2 port).
I think that it should work with a 'Good' ps/2 to USB adapter(they are not all equal quality).

[Special K]

I had a similar situation with my Omnikey keyboard.
In my case... it was the faulty ps/2 cable that came with the keyboard as you refer as 'default ps/2' cable.  I ordered a new ps/2 male to ps/2 male cable from ebay. then I used the AT(Din5) to ps/2 adapter you mentioned above. and it was plugged into the ps/2 port of my PC.
It has been working perfectly ever since.
If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

BTW, my jumper setting is same as yours(all down). so it's not jumper setting that causes that.

The default cable for the Northgate Ominkey 101 is PS/2 (din6m) male on the keyboard end and DIN5 male on the PC end.  If you bought a PS/2 male to PS/2 male cable and a PS/2 to din5 adapter, how did you then connect the din5 end to your PC's PS/2 port?  It seems like you would have needed another adapter.

Do I really need to buy PS2 (din6M)->PS2 (din6M) + din6F->din5M + din5F->din6M to use this with my blue cube and a USB cable?

I am sorry to confuse you. my memory failed me LOL. I got confused myself because I use Focus 2001 sometimes. so there was no need for a Din5 to Din6 adapter for Omnikey. It was only for Focus keyboard.

I am typing this comment with my OmniKey 101 using just PS2 M/M Keyboard Cable(din6 and male on both end. a plain straight cable).
I ordered it from ebay (I think I paid about $5 for 10ft cable).
I have no idea why some people say that straight ps/2 cable doesn't work... because I use it everyday so... there is nothing but a male ps/2 cable between my Omnikey 101 keyboard and PC(ps/2 port).
I think that it should work with ps/2 to USB adapter.

Good to know, thanks.  I'll just pick up a cheap PS/2 cable on Monoprice.

[Special K]

I received my Monoprice PS/2 cable today and can confirm that the following works fine:

Northgate Omnikey 101 -> PS/2 Male:Male cable -> blue cube -> USB cable -> PC USB port

[opensecret]

If I were you I would suspect the cable or connector(clean or replace the PS/2 connector in keyboard)

Agree.   Northgates will play very well with modern PCs with some keyboard remapping and good cables.  The cable combo from cablestogo.com that has worked well for me is:


Item #:       09471
Product:      10ft PS2 M/M Keyboard/Mouse Cable
Stock Status:      In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity:     1
Item Price:   $12.99
Total Price:  $12.99
**********************************************************************
Item #:       27225
Product:      1ft USB to PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Adapter Cable
Stock Status:      In Stock - Ready to ship today!
Quantity:     1
Item Price:   $19.99
Total Price:  $19.99
**********************************************************************

Based on the above, you were able to get it working using a straight PS/2 male->male cable plus a PS/2 to USB adapter.  I have read other people on GH insist that the Northgate Omnikey 101 will absolutely not work with a straight PS/2 cable, even though the port on the keyboard looks like PS/2.

You are using a Northgate Omnikey 101, correct?

Also  at those cable prices.

I'm late to respond and the ship has long since sailed, but overdriver has already confirmed that straight ps2 cables work with Omnikeys.  I don't actually have an Omnikey 101 -- I've got one Ultra T and two Ultras (I prefer the big iron) -- but I don't know any reason to think that different Omnikeys require different cables.  I figure it's best to minimize the number of cables and connections.