Bought a Tipro keyboard, good deal?

Touch_It · 12 Apr 2015, 04:44

http://www.shopgoodwill.com/viewItem.as ... D=20920523

Bought this on goodwill online (obviously)

About 25 shipped. Did I get a good purchase?

Mal-2 · 12 Apr 2015, 07:06

You done pretty good, assuming it works. (They didn't test it, according to the listing.)

Be aware that it is a PS/2 model, meaning you will only be able to program it on a machine with a PS/2 keyboard interface and a 32-bit version of Windows. The software does not work with 64-bit Windows. (Now if this was the USB model, it would work with either 32 or 64-bit.)

Once it is programmed, you can use an adapter to hook it to a serialUSB port, but it will not accept new programming this way.

Touch_It · 12 Apr 2015, 15:31

Ps 2 port isn't an issue, though windows 32 but is lame. Hopefully can scrounge up something at work that is 32 bit. I also suppose I could probably make a converter with a pro micro or teensy. I thought it would be too good to pass up in the 20-30 range shipped.

Edit so hopefully it works, if not oh well, I'll either see if it's fixable, scavenge switches (I'm assuming mx black) or pass it on.

scottc · 12 Apr 2015, 15:56

Looks like a fantastic catch to me. No teensy/etc necessary, just 32-bit Windows once-off to reprogram the layout. I think Mal-2 meant USB by "serial".

XMIT · 12 Apr 2015, 17:04

Very nice. I need to remember to check Goodwill auctions more often. Even if we end up in a bidding war it all goes to charity so it's only so bad.

Touch_It · 12 Apr 2015, 17:53

Yeah, I usually forget to check but lucked into it. There is actually an ssk on there ending tonight. I posted it in the great finds section.

Mal-2 · 13 Apr 2015, 01:04

scottc wrote: ↑Looks like a fantastic catch to me. No teensy/etc necessary, just 32-bit Windows once-off to reprogram the layout. I think Mal-2 meant USB by "serial".

Yeah I meant USB the second time (though the S in USB means Serial). They came in both flavors (PS/2 and USB), and the programming software for the USB version will run on x64 Windows, while the programming software for the PS/2 version will not.

Touch_It · 13 Apr 2015, 01:13

Forgot I had a 32 bit pos vista laptop lying around. Programming shouldn't be an issue. I'll post pics etc once I get the board.

Edit no ps2 port. I'll find something at work.

scottc · 13 Apr 2015, 01:30

Mal-2 wrote: ↑
scottc wrote: ↑Looks like a fantastic catch to me. No teensy/etc necessary, just 32-bit Windows once-off to reprogram the layout. I think Mal-2 meant USB by "serial".
Yeah I meant USB the second time (though the S in USB means Serial). They came in both flavors (PS/2 and USB), and the programming software for the USB version will run on x64 Windows, while the programming software for the PS/2 version will not.

Yep, just wanted to point it out since "serial port" is a different thing and that's how I read it the first time! I actually have a Jarltech matrix board that was programmable over an actual serial port. Never done it, though, too much hassle for me. I just ravaged it for its switches.

Mal-2 · 13 Apr 2015, 03:45

scottc wrote: ↑Yep, just wanted to point it out since "serial port" is a different thing and that's how I read it the first time! I actually have a Jarltech matrix board that was programmable over an actual serial port. Never done it, though, too much hassle for me. I just ravaged it for its switches.

It's not a lost cause, but RS-232 hardware is indeed rare these days.
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-RS23 ... B00006B8C0
http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/StarTe ... 11528.aspx

Some radios still require programming to be done over old-school serial, and don't play nice with USB-to-serial adapters.