Can an IBM terminal Model M keyboard be used today?

[aptivaboy]

You know the one I'm talking about.  More function keys than you can shake a stick at! The original equivalent of Unicomp's PC-122. I'm aware that they cannot be used as is due to their keys being mapped differently and modern PCs not being able to read them. But, is there a reasonable way to remap their keys and make one usable with a modern Windows system?

Many thank,

Robert 

[Red October]

More than a reasonable way, a turnkey solution.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Soarers-Converter-Adapter-for-IBM-Model-F-122-Keyboard-Remapping-Macros-NKR-/271644933588
His other auctions have the ones for the boards with Modular plugs and PS/2 connectors. 

[fohat.digs]

And the "big" way to do it is with:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=17458.msg335414#msg335414

[aptivaboy]

Cool... There are a number of them on the Bay of Evil right now that look nice, including one pure white case - not the more standard off-white case. I may make one into a project.

One other thing - I'd be using it with an HP laptop. When I'm at home, I plug it into a standard keyboard for ease of typing. Were I to remap the keys, would that remap them integrally to the keyboard? I guess what I'm asking is, would the remapping apply no matter which PC it was plugged into, or only with the laptop?

Thanks,

Robert

[fohat.digs]

I am not exactly sure about your question, but a Soarer's Converter intercepts the keyboard and sends codes on in a USB form that the computer can understand. As I recall, wcass gave an easy instruction in reply #560.

Remapping keys is reprogramming the key codes to be interpreted as whatever else you select, so that the computer sees the Teensy, not the keyboard. So yes, the keyboard/Teensy combo will appear the same no matter what computer that you plug it into.

Orihalcon's cables probably behave pretty much the same way, but I don't know for sure.

[aptivaboy]

I ran across this on the Bay of Evil: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RJ45-to-USB-Soarers-Converter-Model-M-Terminal-Keyboard-Remapping-Macros-/281476431381?hash=item41894d7e15:g:wwYAAOSwF1dUSZVm

I'm guessing this is what I need then, correct? I'm foreseeing some interesting macros for the extra function keys, he he he...

[fohat.digs]

Yes, Orihalcon's cables are very clean and work well.

[aptivaboy]

They'd also work for a Unicomp PC-122, I'm guessing? I may go that route (see other thread).

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=80741.0

Robert

[appleonama]

More than a reasonable way, a turnkey solution.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Soarers-Converter-Adapter-for-IBM-Model-F-122-Keyboard-Remapping-Macros-NKR-/271644933588
His other auctions have the ones for the boards with Modular plugs and PS/2 connectors.

Interesting I didn't know about this but there must be a cheaper solution right?

[Moistgun]

More than a reasonable way, a turnkey solution.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Soarers-Converter-Adapter-for-IBM-Model-F-122-Keyboard-Remapping-Macros-NKR-/271644933588
His other auctions have the ones for the boards with Modular plugs and PS/2 connectors.

Interesting I didn't know about this but there must be a cheaper solution right?

You can wire in a teensy 2.0 for half that price and use the code to convert it directly. Takes a bit more work.

[fohat.digs]

Interesting I didn't know about this but there must be a cheaper solution right?

You can wire in a teensy 2.0 for half that price and use the code to convert it directly. Takes a bit more work.

[/quote]

And you can buy a Chinese knock-off for $5, but each price jump makes it considerably easier to use.

[fohat.digs]

There are a number of them on the Bay

Won't get much cheaper than this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1395660-RJ45-Not-a-AT-/351681868817?hash=item51e1df7411:g:oQcAAOSwAuNW7fMc&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

[Snowdog993]

Like this?

http://imgur.com/a/tIonH

I had mine done by Phpsphorglow.

[rowdy]

Yes, Orihalcon's cables are very clean and work well.

+1000

I use mine every week - works perfectly on a few Model Ms with my Mac.

There are a number of them on the Bay

Won't get much cheaper than this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Model-M-Clicky-Keyboard-1395660-RJ45-Not-a-AT-/351681868817?hash=item51e1df7411:g:oQcAAOSwAuNW7fMc&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

And looks like you won't get that one anyway - already sold

Like this?

http://imgur.com/a/tIonH

I had mine done by Phpsphorglow.

I still like that keyboard, and not just because of the yellow underlay.

Ok, maybe because of the yellow underlay

[Snowdog993]

Like this?

http://imgur.com/a/tIonH

I had mine done by Phpsphorglow.

I still like that keyboard, and not just because of the yellow underlay.

Ok, maybe because of the yellow underlay

It's actually being used, and has been since the day I obtained it.  It's not sitting in a box at all.  That keyboard is very special.

[rowdy]

Like this?

http://imgur.com/a/tIonH

I had mine done by Phpsphorglow.

I still like that keyboard, and not just because of the yellow underlay.

Ok, maybe because of the yellow underlay

It's actually being used, and has been since the day I obtained it.  It's not sitting in a box at all.  That keyboard is very special.

Good  to hear