This newbie would like pointers on some older keyboards...

[smeckledorfed]

I apologize if I am in the wrong place, little new to the forums and to mech keyboards in general.

I've always wanted to invest in mechanical keyboards, but don't really have the funds to do so right now.
However I just started working for the IT department at my college campus and have been coming across quite a few boards that were to be tossed away.  So far, here is what I have found:



And the tags for each one:
NMB:

Everex:

Dell:

What exactly do I have here?  The Everex board (the middle one in the first picture) is probably my favorite, but the switches feel... gummed up when typing on it.  Any pointers on cleaning/restoring these boards?

Thanks!

[hwood34]

The NMB should be "space invader" switches. Not really an alps expert, but the dell at101W their alps board with windows keys, try taking off a keycap, it should have white or black alps. I have absolutely no idea with the everex one, can't find anything googling either

[Nover]

Agree with space invaders on NMB, the Dell should have black alps, white alps on the Everex.

[smeckledorfed]

The NMB should be "space invader" switches. Not really an alps expert, but the dell at101W their alps board with windows keys, try taking off a keycap, it should have white or black alps. I have absolutely no idea with the everex one, can't find anything googling either

The everex has white alps (I believe, going off of online pics), while the dell has black alps as you said.  I was a bit confused on the NMB, wasn't really aware of "space invader" switches but looking at them it does make sense...  Thanks!

[nubbinator]

NMB should be clicky NMB Hi-Tek (Space Invader) switches. 

Dell should be nasty Black Alps.

Everex is likely Alps or NMB Hi-Tek, but you'd need to pop a cap.

[BlueNalgene]

Remove caps and soak in soap and water to wash.  Hardcore problems usually require ethanol and/or elbow grease.  Your stuff looks clean cosmetically.

The Dell is a newer version of the same thing I am typing this on right now.  Mine doesn't have the Windows keys.  I love the damn thing, and it would probably be easiest to test.

The NMB is new to me, and I would be interested to see what other people have to say about it.  It does say that it is XT/AT, so you will probably need a converter to use it on modern systems. 

Remember, check for campus/departmental barcodes on the keyboards before doing anything rash.  That would be an indicator that they are inventoried and will be missed if they 'accidentally' fall off the back of a truck and disappear. 

[Findecanor]

Nice! They all look like they are in quite a good condition already. You could maybe use a vacuum cleaner with brush attachment over the keys to get dust out.
I suppose they have PS/2 or AT connectors. There are cables from AT to PS/2 (same signals in them). If you want to use them with USB then make sure that you get an active PS/2-to-USB adapter. If the adapter has two PS/2 plugs on it and one USB then it is most likely an active one.

The Dell AT101W is quite common. Some people love them. Some hate them. They have Alps switches that can be exchanged with other Alps switches or modified with parts from other switches to change the feel.

The NMB with the split Space Bar with the additional "Erase-Eaze" Backspace key is quite cool. I wish all keyboards had the Space Bar split like that.

I don't recognize the Everex but someone else might.

[BlueNalgene]

Dell should be nasty Black Alps.

FTFY, let him form his own opinions.

[smeckledorfed]

Remove caps and soak in soap and water to wash.  Hardcore problems usually require ethanol and/or elbow grease.  Your stuff looks clean cosmetically.

Thanks for the tip.  There were all COVERED in dust when I found them but I used some tools (vacuum mostly) in the office to clean them a little bit.

The Dell AT101W is quite common. Some people love them. Some hate them. They have Alps switches that can be exchanged with other Alps switches or modified with parts from other switches to change the feel.

The NMB with the split Space Bar with the additional "Erase-Eaze" Backspace key is quite cool. I wish all keyboards had the Space Bar split like that.

I've been toying around with them and I do think the Dell is my least favorite (but I don't hate it)...  I initially grabbed the NMB board mostly because of the novelty of the split space bar but the switches ended up having a nice feel to them as well 

[EscapeVelocity]

Nice start there! Im looking for a Space Invader specimen in PS/2 w/Windows Keys if possible.

[Nover]

The everex has white alps (I believe, going off of online pics)

http://kbtalking.cool3c.com/article/6746 alps clones appearantly

[EscapeVelocity]

The Dell AT101W is really nice.  A good place to start on the cheap if you were paying for a mechanical as well.  Dell made tons of em in the 90s.

[fohat.digs]

The NMB is the real find there. I love black Hi-Teks but they all have old-fashioned layouts (bigass enter and small backspace).

If the dust did not trash the switches that should be a very nice keyboard.

[chyros]

Nice finds, all three of them . The three switch types in these should be quite different in feel and sound. In fact all three of these should be excellent boards to start out with, would give anyone a good idea of what they'd want in a switch .

[smeckledorfed]

The NMB is the real find there. I love black Hi-Teks but they all have old-fashioned layouts (bigass enter and small backspace).

If the dust did not trash the switches that should be a very nice keyboard.

It feels great to type with honestly, using it on my main setup right now just to try it out some more.  The little backspace will take some getting used to (don't know if I'll use the split space bar very much).

Nice finds, all three of them . The three switch types in these should be quite different in feel and sound. In fact all three of these should be excellent boards to start out with, would give anyone a good idea of what they'd want in a switch .

It has been very cool to actually feel the difference.  I've only ever really had experience with a few cherry switches before coming across these.

[smeckledorfed]

The everex has white alps (I believe, going off of online pics)

http://kbtalking.cool3c.com/article/6746 alps clones appearantly

Doh... Might explain why it feels so sticky

EDIT: Sorry for double-postin...

[False_Dmitry_II]

You should send me the NMB.

Nice start there! Im looking for a Space Invader specimen in PS/2 w/Windows Keys if possible.

Don't bother, just remap right control to windows key in the registry. I never used it anyway. Besides I'm not sure that exists.