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Author Topic: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working  (Read 2524 times)

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Offline paecific.jr

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IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 16:38:56 »
Hey guys I need some help fast.

I ordered an IBM Model F 122 Terminal keyboard from ebay and one of Soarer's nice adapters for it. When I plug the keyboard in I can type on every key except my space bar. The seller has verified that they test all model f's and I trust him. He has offered me a full refund though believing that it was damaged in shipping. I'm wondering if there is something wrong with how I have my converter setup or something like that. Using HID_listen I noticed that the space bar doesn't even send a scan code. When I plug my keyboard it says BFBF Code Set 3. Do you guys think that it is broken? Should I send it back? Or am I wrong with something?
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Offline Melvang

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 17:08:51 »
Quote from: paecific.jr on Tue, 05 January 2016, 16:38:56
Hey guys I need some help fast.

I ordered an IBM Model F 122 Terminal keyboard from ebay and one of Soarer's nice adapters for it. When I plug the keyboard in I can type on every key except my space bar. The seller has verified that they test all model f's and I trust him. He has offered me a full refund though believing that it was damaged in shipping. I'm wondering if there is something wrong with how I have my converter setup or something like that. Using HID_listen I noticed that the space bar doesn't even send a scan code. When I plug my keyboard it says BFBF Code Set 3. Do you guys think that it is broken? Should I send it back? Or am I wrong with something?

Does the space bar click when pressed?  If not, the cap probably needs to be reset.  If it has the stabilizer wire above the plate, just remove it and put it back on.  You may have to do this a few times for it to work right.  F caps can be a bit fussy at times.  Just remember to take the alpha keys off directly above the space bar first.  If the wire is NOT above the plate, you would need to actually take the plates apart.  Yes it is a very finicky process.  Though once you do it a couple times it isn't that bad.

If the space bar does click, it is probably a piece of the foam that is essentially falling apart that has gotten under the flipper for that key.  I would not try and blow compressed air into it, because if that is the problem, chances are very good that it will exacerbate the problem.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 17:13:31 »
Being careful not to damage any of the parts, pull the spacebar off and substitute a single standard stem in its place. If it clicks, registers, and operates normally, then the problem is with the spacebar and/or its accessories.

If it is not clicking or registering, then problem is probably internal.

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Offline chyros

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 18:45:48 »
If it DOES click but not register, chances are the capacitive pads have somehow deteriorated. Gently try actuating it with something metallic through the barrel, if you can't get it to register (but you can another switch using the same method) it might be the capacitive pads.
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Offline Melvang

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 19:24:27 »
Quote from: chyros on Tue, 05 January 2016, 18:45:48
If it DOES click but not register, chances are the capacitive pads have somehow deteriorated. Gently try actuating it with something metallic through the barrel, if you can't get it to register (but you can another switch using the same method) it might be the capacitive pads.

Granted I haven't been inside that many boards, I very much doubt it would be defective pads, unless it has been opened before, and pads were very seriously scratched.  By the nature of how they work, it would be almost impossible for them to go bad without outside forces.  Now a piece of the foam, if dislodged, can and will cause keys to not work properly.
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Offline chyros

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 19:45:30 »
Quote from: Melvang on Tue, 05 January 2016, 19:24:27
Quote from: chyros on Tue, 05 January 2016, 18:45:48
If it DOES click but not register, chances are the capacitive pads have somehow deteriorated. Gently try actuating it with something metallic through the barrel, if you can't get it to register (but you can another switch using the same method) it might be the capacitive pads.

Granted I haven't been inside that many boards, I very much doubt it would be defective pads, unless it has been opened before, and pads were very seriously scratched.  By the nature of how they work, it would be almost impossible for them to go bad without outside forces.  Now a piece of the foam, if dislodged, can and will cause keys to not work properly.
It might be something on top of the pads blocking it.

Anyway I wasn't trying to say it's the most common cause for failure, just putting in my 2 cents for if it proves to be something else :) .
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Offline rowdy

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 05 January 2016, 22:37:16 »
Welcome to Geekhack!

Lots of informative suggestions above - please let us know how you go :)
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Offline paecific.jr

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 07 January 2016, 15:54:14 »
I fixed it by taking it off and putting it back on. Sorry I haven't been able to check since then because I have been so busy with school. I now have a problem where I can't get my remapping instructions to write to the teensy. Any ideas?
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: IBM Model F 122 Space bar not working
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 07 January 2016, 16:02:22 »
wcass gave great instructions in reply #560

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.msg708153#msg708153

Soarer's documentation provides a spreadsheet identifying the key names and codes.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30
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