dell at102w

[hudson0804]

Hi guys

I was having a tidy up and I've found an old keyboard in a box.

It's a dell branded keyboard. Model on the back is at102w.

I think it has Alps switches lookin under a few keys.

Is this thing a duck and goes in the bin or would it be useful to anyone.

I'm guessing it's trash but figured I'd ask those in the know.


Thanks

H.

[jbondeson]

Some ISO users may want to buy at least the caps (if not the whole board depending on condition) since the 102W has a pretty standard bottom row, and a normal ISO enter key.

[chyros]

Yup, should be late black Alps. The ISO model is a bit less common than the ANSI one, but overall the family is pretty common. They're good boards though, and the chassis is often used to house other switches, particularly Matiases. The black Alps themselves are underrated IMO, but not the best switches I've tried.

[fohat.digs]

Somebody who likes Alps and ISO should get this and transplant Matias switches into it.

The Dell AT series had a very good chassis.

Is it black, by any chance? Those are more uncommon and desirable.

[SamirD]

Sounds like you have something cool.  I think you should post up some pics!

[hudson0804]

It's sadly not black. 

It's discoloured (yellowing) due to age.

I'll get some pictures up when I get chance.

H.

[hudson0804]

I've also been thinking, is this something worthy of a project.

I have no real idea what i can do with this but a google has seen people mention turning it into a tenkeyless board - not too sure i'd be capable of that. 

But what about changing the switches out some new keycaps and a spray job?

Any thoughts would be welcome.

H

[chyros]

Yeah, you can do all kinds of customisation things like that with the AT101. Often people go for Matiases but any old Alps will work really .

[fohat.digs]

I have no real idea what i can do with this but a google has seen people mention turning it into a tenkeyless board

But what about changing the switches out some new keycaps and a spray job?

There has been at least 1 nice guide here on GH for a Dell chop job, from perhaps 3-4 years ago. The biggest difficulty with those projects, perhaps surprisingly, is getting the case to go back together properly.

Any painter will tell you that the quality of a paint job is determined by the quality of the prep job.

[hudson0804]

Having done some more searching, perhaps a tenkey less is a step beyond my current skills.

However, a good friend of mine (one who i think supplied me with this keyboard) has pointed out that he has several more in a store room at work, so i can at least make a few mistakes in practice. 

I think to keep it in the realm of my being able to achieve something, perhaps just making a new husing for th eboard and perhaps a cleanup and new caps?  Do i need to change the switches or are the ones on there still a recognised alps switch.

How do i deal with the discoloured keycaps or should i buy a new set.

[fohat.digs]

Having done some more searching, perhaps a tenkey less is a step beyond my current skills.

However, a good friend of mine (one who i think supplied me with this keyboard) has pointed out that he has several more in a store room at work, so i can at least make a few mistakes in practice. 

I think to keep it in the realm of my being able to achieve something, perhaps just making a new husing for th eboard and perhaps a cleanup and new caps?  Do i need to change the switches or are the ones on there still a recognised alps switch.

How do i deal with the discoloured keycaps or should i buy a new set.

Cutting and re-fitting a case is quite difficult, in my experience. Beautiful ones can be made of wood, metal, etc, with Herculean effort.

Black Alps switches are notorious for aging poorly. If there are several copies of the same keyboard, you may find that they feel quite different. Select the one or more that feel "good" and upgrade cases and key caps to build one or more good "Frankensteins" out of the pieces you have on hand.

[hudson0804]

a brief search has fgound me a company in the US that will lasercut to design.

So my question would be, is there a de facto "standard" for keyboard sizing, or is it all a mishmash of oddities and slight changes? 

I'd also be keen to learn whether i can "convert" this PS2 Goliath of a keyboard to a trimmed down usb one? 

If the mods feel i'm starting to step into the world of "projects" then i'm happy to move this thread.

Thanks for the helpful advice so far folks.

H

[fohat.digs]

a brief search has fgound me a company in the US that will lasercut to design.

So my question would be, is there a de facto "standard" for keyboard sizing, or is it all a mishmash of oddities and slight changes? 

I'd also be keen to learn whether i can "convert" this PS2 Goliath of a keyboard to a trimmed down usb one? 

The answer to all of your questions except for "is there a standard" is yes, assuming that you have the cash.

The AT101 "bigfoot" does have a large footprint, but it is a very nice, well-made keyboard.

http://web.archive.org/web/20140717143731/http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=9542.0

If you just want to plug it in USB, this will probably work:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Male-to-PS2-Female-Cable-Adapter-Converter-Use-For-Keyboard-Mouse-hot-/231656605580?hash=item35efcf478c

If you want internal USB, get a Soarer's Teensy or cheaper knock-off and install it inside.

[hudson0804]

In a turn of events, I have found a black dell version of the same keyboar din the store room. 

No one understood my mild excitement and intrigue.

[VinnyCordeiro]

In a turn of events, I have found a black dell version of the same keyboar din the store room. 

No one understood my mild excitement and intrigue.

A black Dell AT102W? Me wants it.

[fohat.digs]

In a turn of events, I have found a black dell version of the same keyboard in the store room. 

My primo AT101W is a black case with pearl/pebble PBT keys (except for the bottom row, which has to have the smaller "W" keys) into which I transplanted orange Alps and the weight bar from an older 101.

[hudson0804]

In a turn of events, I have found a black dell version of the same keyboar din the store room. 

No one understood my mild excitement and intrigue.

A black Dell AT102W? Me wants it.

I'll go "aquire it" and get you some pictures, and we'll see what we can do about that aquisition

Also as promised, pictures of the beast (ive named the board the beast as its HUUUGE). 





How would i "deal" with the discolouring of the keys?

Thanks
H

Edit- Spelling.

[fohat.digs]

Also as promised, pictures of the beast (ive named the board the beast as its HUUUGE). 

The accepted nickname of these keyboards is "Bigfoot" although that same name is also used for a type of Model F as well as a variant of Alps switches.

[VinnyCordeiro]

How would i "deal" with the discolouring of the keys?

Do a Google search about "retrobright", it's a technique to remove the yellowing in ABS plastics.

I'll go "aquire it" and get you some pictures, and we'll see what we can do about that aquisition

Don't do anything too hasty, I'm interested only on the keycaps. The ISO Enter, specifically speaking.

[hudson0804]

How would i "deal" with the discolouring of the keys?

Do a Google search about "retrobright", it's a technique to remove the yellowing in ABS plastics.

I'll go "aquire it" and get you some pictures, and we'll see what we can do about that aquisition

Don't do anything too hasty, I'm interested only on the keycaps. The ISO Enter, specifically speaking.

I'm sure i can arrange something

[hudson0804]

If I stripped the case down. Couldn't respray it?  Put some new caps on and perhaps grease the switches or something to bring it back to life.

[SamirD]

If you're going to toss some of these and have one that's fully functional, even if ugly, I'd be interested.  Not willing to spend a lot on it since I don't think the feel will be superior to the Ms that I've been using for decades, but I have the itch to try a new switch, even if just to compare.

[fohat.digs]

If I stripped the case down. Couldn't respray it?  Put some new caps on and perhaps grease the switches or something to bring it back to life.

The case is not painted, unless an end-user did it. The beige color goes through and that is what you want - impossible to wear or flake off.

If you paint it, make sure that you use good primer and paint, and follow the instructions to the letter - especially the part about cleaning the surface beforehand.

A light lube might conceivably help, but the most common problem with black Alps is dust and grit inside the keys.

XMIT devised a method to clean them with an alcohol rinse, but they have to be de-soldered and removed. If you are going to do that, you might take the opportunity to buy a set of fresh new Matias instead.

[hudson0804]

If you're going to toss some of these and have one that's fully functional, even if ugly, I'd be interested.  Not willing to spend a lot on it since I don't think the feel will be superior to the Ms that I've been using for decades, but I have the itch to try a new switch, even if just to compare.

Let me put hands on the ones I've been promised. I'll pm you some pictures I'll test that all the keys work and then just cover postage.

Sound fair? 

As for the spray job. I assume it's the same process as spraying the plastics on a car?  Clean with roughing paste. The anti static cleaner.  3 coats primer 3 coats colour.

H

[SamirD]

Let me put hands on the ones I've been promised. I'll pm you some pictures I'll test that all the keys work and then just cover postage.

Sound fair?

Very fair.   I even have a UPS account so I can just send you a pdf shipping label, and all you have to do is drop it. 

[hudson0804]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick update.

@SamirD - I'm still waiting on the keyboards that I've been promised, I've been told there are 8 so should have something cobbled together sooner rather than later - sorry for the delay . 

@VinnyCordeiro - The keyboard is indeed a black ISO layout.  I've just taken another look at it and apart form being a little old it looks fairly clean.  I just need to get it out the building so bear with me on this one. 

Update on old bigfoot.  I've done as suggested and found a lot of information on ret0brite and found suppliers of the chemicals i need, just a case of getting them ordered and finding some time to get the case tidied up, i may do more than one case depending on results so SamirD may have a more white than yellow board. 

Rather than running headlong into making a new case, I've decided instead to try and replace the switches in this one, to spruce the old girl up some and give it a good clean - perhaps even order some new keycaps if the old ones don't clean up too well.

Once successfully restored (hopefully more like), i can then look at making a case or having one fabricated - may need some assistance on that but thats on the horizon.

Thanks

H

[SamirD]

@SamirD - I'm still waiting on the keyboards that I've been promised, I've been told there are 8 so should have something cobbled together sooner rather than later - sorry for the delay . 

All good.  I'll be travelling so if you post back here and I don't reply, feel free to just shoot a PM.  When I work in the field, it's brutal so I usually only get to sleep and eat and nothing else outside of work.

[terrpn]

In a turn of events, I have found a black dell version of the same keyboard in the store room. 

My primo AT101W is a black case with pearl/pebble PBT keys (except for the bottom row, which has to have the smaller "W" keys) into which I transplanted orange Alps and the weight bar from an older 101.

ditto............mine too

chyros if i am not mistaken provides an outstanding video review on a 102?

congrats though on your find/AT102

[chyros]

In a turn of events, I have found a black dell version of the same keyboard in the store room. 

My primo AT101W is a black case with pearl/pebble PBT keys (except for the bottom row, which has to have the smaller "W" keys) into which I transplanted orange Alps and the weight bar from an older 101.

ditto............mine too

chyros if i am not mistaken provides an outstanding video review on a 102?

congrats though on your find/AT102

Show Image

Yeah I have an AT102W (and an AT102) video, the oldest one I made in fact! :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brsMUSFupO4&index=1&list=PL285ATFsHGY9JnaQemdjRLEMmLRKpmbfB