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Author Topic: Model F XT cable broken?  (Read 1490 times)

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Offline leehwtsohg

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Model F XT cable broken?
« on: Fri, 08 January 2016, 15:46:40 »
Hi!
I have a Model F XT keyboard, that I use on my macbook. Originally I used it with a self-built teensy-based converter (based on this https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=7521.0;nowap). It was recently starting to cause more and more problems (i.e. junk gets inserted instead of what I type).
So, I purchased "Soarer's Converter" on e-bay. But, now I'm getting the same problems with this converter, so I suspect the problem is somewhere else.
Sometimes it works well, but from time to time it starts to spew garbage. I suspect it is the cable (cord?) going from the controller to the DIN-5 connector, but I'm not sure.

Do you have ideas of how I should test this hypothesis? Is there a place I can get a replacement cable?
I guess I could solder my or Soarer's convertor straight to the board or the disassembled cable... what would you suggest?

Thanks!
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Re: Model F XT cable broken?
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 08 January 2016, 16:22:24 »
I probably have a cable that I could sell you, but you should probably just hard-wire for permanent USB connection.

When you say "Soarer's Converter" are you referring to a Teensy that allows soldered connections or one of Orihalcon's short sealed cable adapters?

If it is a Teensy, I would mount it inside and use whatever long USB cable that you like.
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Offline Melvang

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Re: Model F XT cable broken?
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 08 January 2016, 16:53:47 »
If you travel with this board, I would bet the foam is breaking apart.  Most of the time this will cause keys to not work, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it could cause garbage to spew. 

If you are comfortable separating the plates, I can send you a new mat for a small fee.
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Offline leehwtsohg

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Re: Model F XT cable broken?
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 08 January 2016, 17:52:35 »
Quote from: Melvang on Fri, 08 January 2016, 16:53:47
If you travel with this board, I would bet the foam is breaking apart.  Most of the time this will cause keys to not work, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it could cause garbage to spew. 

If you are comfortable separating the plates, I can send you a new mat for a small fee.

I think that makes sense. I have just cleaned all keys, and a lot of foam fuzz fell out. It also seems that it is a bit key-specific, so it happened that even while junk is being created, the back and the up key still work.
One of the teeth holding the plates together looks very bent. Is that usual? Is there a danger that one will break in the process?
In any case, I'm willing to try to save my keyboard!
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Offline Melvang

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Re: Model F XT cable broken?
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 08 January 2016, 18:20:53 »
Quote from: leehwtsohg on Fri, 08 January 2016, 17:52:35
Quote from: Melvang on Fri, 08 January 2016, 16:53:47
If you travel with this board, I would bet the foam is breaking apart.  Most of the time this will cause keys to not work, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it could cause garbage to spew. 

If you are comfortable separating the plates, I can send you a new mat for a small fee.

I think that makes sense. I have just cleaned all keys, and a lot of foam fuzz fell out. It also seems that it is a bit key-specific, so it happened that even while junk is being created, the back and the up key still work.
One of the teeth holding the plates together looks very bent. Is that usual? Is there a danger that one will break in the process?
In any case, I'm willing to try to save my keyboard!

That is normal for one to be bent over.  If you look, there is no slot behind that tab like the others.  This tab is what locks the plates together.  If you do attempt taking it apart yourself, take all caps EXCEPT the space bar off first.  The reason I mention the space bar is because the stabilizer wire is between the plates and you will damage the clips for it if you remove it before disassembly.  I can post pics later if you want clarification.
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Online fohat.digs

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Re: Model F XT cable broken?
« Reply #5 on: Fri, 08 January 2016, 18:21:38 »
Quote from: leehwtsohg on Fri, 08 January 2016, 17:52:35
Quote from: Melvang on Fri, 08 January 2016, 16:53:47
If you travel with this board, I would bet the foam is breaking apart.  Most of the time this will cause keys to not work, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility that it could cause garbage to spew. 

If you are comfortable separating the plates, I can send you a new mat for a small fee.

I think that makes sense. I have just cleaned all keys, and a lot of foam fuzz fell out. It also seems that it is a bit key-specific, so it happened that even while junk is being created, the back and the up key still work.
One of the teeth holding the plates together looks very bent. Is that usual? Is there a danger that one will break in the process?
In any case, I'm willing to try to save my keyboard!


At least one tab is usually bent over to prevent the plates from sliding apart. Bend it back upright.

There are several Model F guides, fortunately the XT is the easiest to disassemble and reassemble.
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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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