Micronorth Keyboard

coolrainbow20

17 Apr 2021, 21:19

Finally I made an Soarers Converter with a Pro Micro exactly like shown in the pdf.
All of my ps/2 keyboards that I've tested seem to work, but not the micronorth keyboard. The micronorth keyboard is just outputting "rFF" on all keystrokes (up and down). So it seems to work, but the codes are just not usable keycodes. See the newest pics of the Num Lock and Caps Lock LEDs working and pretty cool looking here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

User avatar
Chyros

19 Apr 2021, 17:23

I have the same keyboard, it's an old Cherry G80, it seems. I'd never heard of Micronorth before. Curiously, it has no Cherry markings on it.

It's XT protocol, it seemws. PS/2 converters won't work, but an XT-capable converter should work. One of Orihalcon's Soarers' weorks for me.

User avatar
Muirium
µ

19 Apr 2021, 17:31

Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
One of Orihalcon's Soarers' weorks for me.
Are you seore about that?

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Chyros

19 Apr 2021, 19:29

Muirium wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:31
Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
One of Orihalcon's Soarers' weorks for me.
Are you seore about that?
It weorks for me, Meoreom! ;p

User avatar
Myoth

19 Apr 2021, 20:38

Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
it's an old Cherry G80 [...] it has no Cherry markings on it.
don't think it's quite Cherry then, is it ?

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Chyros

19 Apr 2021, 23:46

Myoth wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 20:38
Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
it's an old Cherry G80 [...] it has no Cherry markings on it.
don't think it's quite Cherry then, is it ?
Took the old girl out of the box again to refresh my memory and you're definitely right; it's got a mounting plate – steel even. No way a genuine Cherry MX board would have build quality as good as that :p .

The keycaps look to me like they're Cherry-made though. Or good lookalikes.

User avatar
Myoth

20 Apr 2021, 01:13

Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 23:46
Myoth wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 20:38
Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
it's an old Cherry G80 [...] it has no Cherry markings on it.
don't think it's quite Cherry then, is it ?
you're definitely right; it's got a mounting plate – steel even. No way a genuine Cherry MX board would have build quality as good as that :p
Haha, I get you, Cherry could never use a plate. That'd be mental!

micmil

20 Apr 2021, 02:27

Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 19:29
Muirium wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:31
Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
One of Orihalcon's Soarers' weorks for me.
Are you seore about that?
It weorks for me, Meoreom! ;p
No Welsh language on the forum, please.

Lanrefni

20 Apr 2021, 04:51

micmil wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 02:27
Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 19:29
Muirium wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:31

Are you seore about that?
It weorks for me, Meoreom! ;p
No Welsh language on the forum, please.
Way too many vowels for Welsh.

User avatar
photekq
Cherry Picker

20 Apr 2021, 14:11

micmil wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 02:27
No Welsh language on the forum, please.
cer i grafu

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Muirium
µ

20 Apr 2021, 14:22

Ach, tha Beurla cho blian! Tha a' Chuimris sporsail.

coolrainbow20

20 Apr 2021, 17:05

Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
I have the same keyboard, it's an old Cherry G80, it seems. I'd never heard of Micronorth before. Curiously, it has no Cherry markings on it.
Image
This keyboard was for an eastern (asian) IBM PC Portable clone (it has some sliders with tabs that are labeled "open" to detach the keyboard from the system, revealing the green monochrome display and the floppy drives.)
More info about that system here: https://hblankes.home.xs4all.nl/Museum/ ... titerm.htm

So basically the company multiterm bought the keyboard at the "almost nothing is known" Taiwan manufacture from Micronorth, wich bought Switches / Keycaps and maybe even more (mounting plate) from the far west in Germany at Cherry. But even though Alps Electric was closer to Taiwan, they still wanted Cherry switches from Germany.

Chyros wrote:
19 Apr 2021, 17:23
It's XT protocol, it seemws. PS/2 converters won't work, but an XT-capable converter should work. One of Orihalcon's Soarers' weorks for me.
I am talking about my Soarers' Converter, not just a regular PS/2 converter:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dDVGSQ ... sp=sharing
The only thing I think that might be the problem is: I put the pins in the wrong position for a short time, but then again the keyboard is still accepting keypresses and even the lock lights are switch-able (talking about switches ;))

I tried two different PS/2 keyboards and they worked flawlessly. This is the output of the hid_listener (the top entry is a ps/2 keyboard and the bottom is the "not working" xt keyboard):


---------------------------

Code: Select all

Waiting for new device:..........................................
Listening:
wEE rEE wF2 rFA rAB r83

remaining: 0051
2C@0008 remaps
05@0034 layers
20@0039 remaps
layerdefs: 01
max_layer: 01
total_macros: 00
alloc ok.


Keyboard ID: AB83
Code Set: 2 (extended)
Mode: AT/PS2

wED rFA w00 rFA



---------------------------------

Code: Select all

Waiting for new device:..................................
Listening:
wEE

remaining: 0051
2C@0008 remaps
05@0034 layers
20@0039 remaps
layerdefs: 01
max_layer: 01
total_macros: 00
alloc ok.


Keyboard ID: 0000
Code Set: 1
Mode: PC/XT

The PS/2 Keyboard has a proper Keyboard ID, while the XT Keyboard has just four zeroes. Also while typing on the XT Keyboard the hid_listener outputs rFF everytime I press and everytime I release a key (so it does in fact read off the keyboard). Interestingly even the Lock lights light up when I press the related lock key, but no locking is made on the computer side.

User avatar
Chyros

20 Apr 2021, 18:27

That's not super weird. XT keyboards handled lock lights themselves, because the XT protocol was unidirectional. The computer couldn't tell it what mode it was in, so it just counted the amount of times you pressed the lock lights. It's pretty easy to desync them.

What is weird is that it's not working for you. I just tried again and it works flawlessly with mine. I'm even typing this on it.

Thanks for the info by the way, quite interesting! This is a project I had shelved a while ago but not looked into in great detail. It's a good reminder I should wrap this one up and get it done :) .

coolrainbow20

20 Apr 2021, 18:41

Chyros wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 18:27
That's not super weird. XT keyboards handled lock lights themselves, because the XT protocol was unidirectional. The computer couldn't tell it what mode it was in, so it just counted the amount of times you pressed the lock lights. It's pretty easy to desync them.

I think one of your videos told me that.
Chyros wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 18:27
What is weird is that it's not working for you. I just tried again and it works flawlessly with mine. I'm even typing this on it.
If you run the hid_listener, what output are you getting with a xt keyboard plugged in to soarers? Maybe I can find out what makes it different.

To my understanding the switches in this keyboard are vintage cherry mx blacks. I saw that the linear gray switch under the huge spacebar has a slight yellowish appearance and that seems to be a vintage variant, so I came to conclusion, that the other switches are vintage too, aside from the old pre 1985 xt layout and the build quality (metal mounting plate, screw only system).
Last edited by coolrainbow20 on 20 Apr 2021, 18:55, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Muirium
µ

20 Apr 2021, 18:46

All XT keyboards are Keyboard ID: 0000. They have no way to tell Soarer’s converter otherwise. Unidirectional data stream. An XT keyboard just shows up and does all the talking. You can’t ask it anything.

coolrainbow20

20 Apr 2021, 18:59

Muirium wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 18:46
All XT keyboards are Keyboard ID: 0000. They have no way to tell Soarer’s converter otherwise. Unidirectional data stream. An XT keyboard just shows up and does all the talking. You can’t ask it anything.
Ah, ok. But why is mine not working correctly? I see that the keyboard does something, but it's just not usable. It's like my computer is speaking english and the keyboard is speaking japanese. I think the converter doesn't translate correctly.

User avatar
Muirium
µ

20 Apr 2021, 19:18

Try writing a blank config to it. That might clear things up. I have an empty null.sc text file for just this purpose.

coolrainbow20

20 Apr 2021, 19:25

Muirium wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 19:18
Try writing a blank config to it. That might clear things up. I have an empty null.sc text file for just this purpose.
I tried that, but it still gives the same output:
Image

coolrainbow20

20 Apr 2021, 19:29

Hm, is maybe the pinout on that board different?

coolrainbow20

20 Apr 2021, 23:03

Muirium wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 18:46
All XT keyboards are Keyboard ID: 0000. They have no way to tell Soarer’s converter otherwise. Unidirectional data stream. An XT keyboard just shows up and does all the talking. You can’t ask it anything.
Can someone paste a full log output of an working xt keyboard using hid_listener.
I really want to see the difference myself.

User avatar
Chyros

21 Apr 2021, 13:10

coolrainbow20 wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 23:03
Muirium wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 18:46
All XT keyboards are Keyboard ID: 0000. They have no way to tell Soarer’s converter otherwise. Unidirectional data stream. An XT keyboard just shows up and does all the talking. You can’t ask it anything.
Can someone paste a full log output of an working xt keyboard using hid_listener.
I really want to see the difference myself.
If you tell me what to do I'll show the output of my own Micronorth xD .

coolrainbow20

21 Apr 2021, 14:17

Chyros wrote:
21 Apr 2021, 13:10
coolrainbow20 wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 23:03
Muirium wrote:
20 Apr 2021, 18:46
All XT keyboards are Keyboard ID: 0000. They have no way to tell Soarer’s converter otherwise. Unidirectional data stream. An XT keyboard just shows up and does all the talking. You can’t ask it anything.
Can someone paste a full log output of an working xt keyboard using hid_listener.
I really want to see the difference myself.
If you tell me what to do I'll show the output of my own Micronorth xD .
Ok, great.

So to do the thing you have to do several steps in the correct order to get it showing the output:

1. Download the software hid_listener from here: http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/hid_listen.html
2. Start the software
3. And then plug in the keyboard with attached converter into an usb port
4. Type some text (i.e. the quick brown fox)
5. select all of the input, including the very top and paste it here like this:

Code: Select all

Waiting for device:......
Listening:
wEE rEE wF2 rFA rAB r83

remaining: 0000


Keyboard ID: AB83
Code Set: 2 (extended)
Mode: AT/PS2

wED rFA w00 rFA
r12 +E1 dE1
r2C +17 d17
rF0 r2C -17 u17 rF0 r12 -E1 uE1
r33 +0B d0B
rF0 r33 -0B u0B r24 +08 d08
rF0 r24 -08 u08
r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r15 +14 d14
rF0 r15 -14 u14
r3C +18 d18
rF0 r3C -18 u18
r43 +0C d0C
rF0 r43 -0C u0C
r21 +06 d06
rF0 r21 -06 u06 r42 +0E d0E
rF0 r42 -0E u0E
r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C r32 +05 d05
rF0 r32 -05 u05
r2D +15 d15
rF0 r2D -15 u15 r44 +12 d12
rF0 r44 -12 u12
r31 +11 d11
rF0 r31 -11 u11
r66 +2A d2A
rF0 r66 -2A u2A r1D +1A d1A
rF0 r1D -1A u1A
r31 +11 d11
rF0 r31 -11 u11
r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r2B +09 d09
rF0 r2B -09 u09 r44 +12 d12
rF0 r44 -12 u12
r22 +1B d1B
rF0 r22 -1B u1B r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r3B +0D d0D
r3C +18 d18 rF0 r3B -0D u0D
rF0 r3C -18 u18
r3A +10 d10
rF0 r3A -10 u10
r4D +13 d13
rF0 r4D -13 u13
r1B +16 d16
rF0 r1B -16 u16 r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r44 +12 d12
rF0 r44 -12 u12 r2A +19 d19
rF0 r2A -19 u19
r24 +08 d08
rF0 r24 -08 u08
r2D +15 d15
rF0 r2D -15 u15
r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r2C +17 d17
rF0 r2C -17 u17 r33 +0B d0B
rF0 r33 -0B u0B
r24 +08 d08
rF0 r24 -08 u08 r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r4B +0F d0F
rF0 r4B -0F u0F
r1C +04 d04
rF0 r1C -04 u04
r35 +1C d1C
rF0 r35 -1C u1C r1A +1D d1D
rF0 r1A -1D u1D
r29 +2C d2C
rF0 r29 -2C u2C
r23 +07 d07
rF0 r23 -07 u07
r44 +12 d12
rF0 r44 -12 u12
r34 +0A d0A
rF0 r34 -0A u0A
r49 +37 d37
rF0 r49 -37 u37
r5A +28 d28 rF0 r5A -28 u28

What Micronorth Keyboad do you have? Can you show me some pics of it? Is it also an XT Keyboard?


Also according to this website, the output FF means Keyboard error. Not sure what causes this, or if it even is an error. Maybe the Keyboard seems to operate differently than other XT Keyboards. I might buy another XT Keyboard to further test this out.

And I also found out that there are not two (XT/AT) Modes but 4 Modes, as seen on the Focus FK-2002 Keyboard:
Image

User avatar
Chyros

21 Apr 2021, 19:50

Here's "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog":

Code: Select all

Waiting for device:
Listening:
r14 +17 d17
r23 +0B d0B r94 -17 u17 rA3 -0B u0B
r12 +08 d08
r92 -08 u08
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r10 +14 d14
r90 -14 u14
r16 +18 d18
r17 +0C d0C r96 -18 u18
r97 -0C u0C
r2E +06 d06
rAE -06 u06
r25 +0E d0E
rA5 -0E u0E
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r30 +05 d05
r13 +15 d15 rB0 -05 u05
r93 -15 u15
r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12 r11 +1A d1A
r91 -1A u1A r31 +11 d11
rB1 -11 u11
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C r21 +09 d09
rA1 -09 u09
r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12 r2D +1B d1B
rAD -1B u1B r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r24 +0D d0D
rA4 -0D u0D
r16 +18 d18
r96 -18 u18
r32 +10 d10
rB2 -10 u10
r19 +13 d13
r99 -13 u13 r1F +16 d16
r9F -16 u16 r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12
r2F +19 d19
r12 +08 d08
rAF -19 u19 r13 +15 d15 r92 -08 u08
r93 -15 u15
r39 +2C d2C
r14 +17 d17 rB9 -2C u2C r23 +0B d0B r94 -17 u17 rA3 -0B u0B
r12 +08 d08
r92 -08 u08
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r26 +0F d0F
rA6 -0F u0F
r1E +04 d04
r9E -04 u04
r2C +1D d1D
rAC -1D u1D
r15 +1C d1C
r95 -1C u1C
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r20 +07 d07
rA0 -07 u07
r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12 r22 +0A d0A
rA2 -0A u0A
r1D +E0 dE0
r2E +06 d06
rAE -06 u06
r9D -E0 uE0
My keyboard looks like it's identical to yours, except it's not branded. I'm guessing it's XT because it's XT layout and doesn't work over a PS/2 converter at all.

coolrainbow20

21 Apr 2021, 21:15

Chyros wrote:
21 Apr 2021, 19:50
Here's "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog":

Code: Select all

Waiting for device:
Listening:
r14 +17 d17
r23 +0B d0B r94 -17 u17 rA3 -0B u0B
r12 +08 d08
r92 -08 u08
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r10 +14 d14
r90 -14 u14
r16 +18 d18
r17 +0C d0C r96 -18 u18
r97 -0C u0C
r2E +06 d06
rAE -06 u06
r25 +0E d0E
rA5 -0E u0E
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r30 +05 d05
r13 +15 d15 rB0 -05 u05
r93 -15 u15
r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12 r11 +1A d1A
r91 -1A u1A r31 +11 d11
rB1 -11 u11
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C r21 +09 d09
rA1 -09 u09
r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12 r2D +1B d1B
rAD -1B u1B r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r24 +0D d0D
rA4 -0D u0D
r16 +18 d18
r96 -18 u18
r32 +10 d10
rB2 -10 u10
r19 +13 d13
r99 -13 u13 r1F +16 d16
r9F -16 u16 r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12
r2F +19 d19
r12 +08 d08
rAF -19 u19 r13 +15 d15 r92 -08 u08
r93 -15 u15
r39 +2C d2C
r14 +17 d17 rB9 -2C u2C r23 +0B d0B r94 -17 u17 rA3 -0B u0B
r12 +08 d08
r92 -08 u08
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r26 +0F d0F
rA6 -0F u0F
r1E +04 d04
r9E -04 u04
r2C +1D d1D
rAC -1D u1D
r15 +1C d1C
r95 -1C u1C
r39 +2C d2C
rB9 -2C u2C
r20 +07 d07
rA0 -07 u07
r18 +12 d12
r98 -12 u12 r22 +0A d0A
rA2 -0A u0A
r1D +E0 dE0
r2E +06 d06
rAE -06 u06
r9D -E0 uE0
My keyboard looks like it's identical to yours, except it's not branded. I'm guessing it's XT because it's XT layout and doesn't work over a PS/2 converter at all.
Looks ok to me. So mine seems to have an error then. Maybe I could re-flash the firmware and see if it helps.

coolrainbow20

22 Apr 2021, 21:55

Here is even more information about XT keyboards in general: https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/wik ... hard-reset

From what I've read there, I have the following problem: "0xFF indicates Overrun Error in scan code set 1".

coolrainbow20

20 May 2021, 20:16

I got great news! The keyboard in question seems to work somehow.

But iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit seems to have ome roblems.

First, itseems to have stuck keys.
SECOND; ITTTTTTTTTTTTTT ometimes SEEMS to PRESS/hold certain unrelated keys.

This text was written with the Mironorth Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuultiterm Keyboard.


----------------------------------------------------------


I fixed the problem by uploading the ibmpc_usb firmware from the tmk repository to the device.

But since the firmware seems pretty unreliable, I can't really use it.

What l also had in mind for this keyboard is:
add hot-swapp capability (using this)
and use other switches (for example Kailh Copper) (I can't use most box switches on numlock, capslock, since the led has to go through the switch)

coolrainbow20

22 May 2021, 20:09

scla_scla_2021-05-22_20-07-51.png
scla_scla_2021-05-22_20-07-51.png (29.06 KiB) Viewed 4173 times
Here is some analysis done with the tool scla. Does someone see something unusual or potential wrong?

JBert

22 May 2021, 23:55

coolrainbow20 wrote:
20 May 2021, 20:16
I fixed the problem by uploading the ibmpc_usb firmware from the tmk repository to the device.

But since the firmware seems pretty unreliable, I can't really use it.
So what's the status now? It seems like it has "sticky" keys with Soarer's converter firmware but it works with a particular version of TMK?
coolrainbow20 wrote:
20 May 2021, 20:16
What l also had in mind for this keyboard is:
add hot-swapp capability (using this)
and use other switches (for example Kailh Copper) (I can't use most box switches on numlock, capslock, since the led has to go through the switch)
Obviously I don't know if you bought this keyboard for its layout, its looks or just because it might have been a cheap mechanical, but are you sure you want to completely overhaul this old keyboard?

You would need to desolder all the old switches then solder in all the new stuff and yet you're still stuck with a possibly flaky XT keyboard... Maybe there are keyboards kits out there which you could solder your own switches to?

coolrainbow20

23 May 2021, 15:15

JBert wrote:
22 May 2021, 23:55
So what's the status now? It seems like it has "sticky" keys with Soarer's converter firmware but it works with a particular version of TMK?
With Soarer's Converter I just get "rFF" on every keypress. And only with the TMK converter I can barely even use the use the keyboard. But even then it throws some errors. All other keyboards I've tested with this converter (AT and PS/2) are working with Soarer's and TMK. So I think there is something wrong with this keyboard. Also someone who has this exact keyboard seems to have problems while using it with the computer the keyboard came with. https://hblankes.home.xs4all.nl/Museum/ ... titerm.htm

Soarer's Output:

Code: Select all

Waiting for new device:..................................
Listening:
wEE

remaining: 0051
2C@0008 remaps
05@0034 layers
20@0039 remaps
layerdefs: 01
max_layer: 01
total_macros: 00
alloc ok.


Keyboard ID: 0000
Code Set: 1
Mode: PC/XT

rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF rFF 


TMK Output:

Code: Select all

Waiting for device:...
Listening:


TMK:e473e8ce/LUFA


USB configured.

Keyboard start.
I571 wFF A1608
ERR:11 ISR:AAC0
PRT:22 ISR:0000 X2110 rAA W2111 wF2 R2647
ID:FFFF(XT)
ERR:11 ISR:AAC0 S2648 L2648 r45 r3A rC5 rBA r20 rA0 r1E r1D rBE r9D r25 r26 r24 rA6 rA5 rA4 r21 r23 rA1 r16 rA3 r18 r96 r98 r12 r24 r11 r17 rA4 r92 r91 r97 r23 r20 rA3 r27 r1F r1E rA0 r9E r9F rA7 r24 r25 rA4 rB5 r23 r20 r1F r1E rA0 rB3 r26 r9F r9E rA6 r21 r24 rA4 rA1 r17 r97 r23 r18 rA3 r98 r24 r13 r93 rA4 r18 r17 r98 r97 r12 r11 r23 r91 r92 r18 rA3 r98 r24 r21 rA4 r26 rA1 r25 rA5 r1E rA6 r23 r9E r17 rA3 r18 r97 r9C r24 r18 rA4 r98 r23 r21 r27 rA3 rE1 r20 r1E r28 r26 r1F rA8 rA6 rA0 r9F r9E r24 rA7 r21 r25 r26 rA4 rA1 r27 r1F r1E r1D rA6 rA5 r9F r9F r9D rA7 r23 r22 rA3 r13 r18 rA2 r12 r99 r93 r92 r24 r17 rA4 r18 r21 r98 r97 r23 rA1 r18 rA3 r27 r98 r12 rA7 rA1 r92 r24 r25 rA1 rA4 r26 r27 r1F r1E r1D rA6 rA5 r9F r9D rA7 r23 r9E r22 r27 r18 r17 r12 r28 rA3 r92 rA2 rA8 r98 r97 rA7 r24 r39 r18 r27 rA4 rB9 r98 rA7 r23 r18 rA3 r27 r98 r21 rA7 r24 rA1 r1E rA4 r9E r25 r24 rA5 rAC r21 r9E r24 r35 rA1 rA4 r1D r27 r26 rA5 r9E r9D rA6 rA7 r24 r17 rA5 r21 r97 r12 r11 r24 rA1 r27 rD2 rA4 r91 rA7 r24 r17 rA4 r97 r13 r93 r24 r25 rA4 r26 rA5 r1F r20 r28 r27 rA6 rA0 r9F rA8 rA7 r23 r16 rA3 r22 r96 r18 r27 r13 r24 r98 r18 r28 r23 rE2 r17 rA8 rA7 rA4 rA3 r93 r98 r97 r23 r39 r27 r18 rAB rB9 r98 rA7 r24 r25 rA4 rA5 r24 r21 r35 r26 rA4 rA1 rA5 rA6 r23 r22 rA3 rA2 r17 r18 r13 r97 r24 r98 r93 r17 rA4 r18 r9C r97 r23 r2F r18 rA3 r39 r98 rA7 rB9 r24 r25 r27 rA4 r26 r23 rA6 rA5 r20 rA1 r23 r1F rA7 rA0 r1E r9F r9E r18 r28 r27 rA3 r22 r17 r12 r23 r98 r97 r13 r92 rA8 rA7 r24 rA3 rA2 r17 rA4 r18 r93 r98 r97 r3D r23 r27 rA3 rB9 r18 r24 r9C rA7 r21 rA1 r25 rA4 r26 r1F r1E r1D r27 rA6 r9F r9E r9F rA7 rA5 r23 r22 r17 r28 r27 rA3 r18 r13 r23 rA2 r97 rA8 r24 rA3 r98 rA7 r93 rA4 r27 r39 rB9 rA7 r23 r24 r27 r25 r26 rA3 rA5 rA4 r22 rA6 r24 rA7 rA2 r17 rAC r18 r98 r97 r22 r23 r13 r12 r18 r92 rA3 rA2 r27 r98 r93 rA7 r24 r39 rB9 rA4 r26 r21 rA6 r1E r23 rA3 rA3 r18 r9E r22 r24 r98 rA2 rA4
JBert wrote:
22 May 2021, 23:55
Obviously I don't know if you bought this keyboard for its layout, its looks or just because it might have been a cheap mechanical, but are you sure you want to completely overhaul this old keyboard?
I was interested in this keyboard because
1. It was really cheap.
2. I just knew it was a mechanical one.
3. I like weird/old layouts.
4. The build quality is so good.
JBert wrote:
22 May 2021, 23:55
You would need to desolder all the old switches then solder in all the new stuff and yet you're still stuck with a possibly flaky XT keyboard... Maybe there are keyboards kits out there which you could solder your own switches to?
I think, the Hot-Swap sockets don't need to be soldered to the pcb, because they can just be snapped onto the pcb.


PS: Also I really want to use at least one of my old vintage keyboards. (Yes I have multiple vintage keyboards.)

JBert

23 May 2021, 23:21

coolrainbow20 wrote:
23 May 2021, 15:15
With Soarer's Converter I just get "rFF" on every keypress. And only with the TMK converter I can barely even use the use the keyboard. But even then it throws some errors. All other keyboards I've tested with this converter (AT and PS/2) are working with Soarer's and TMK. So I think there is something wrong with this keyboard. Also someone who has this exact keyboard seems to have problems while using it with the computer the keyboard came with. https://hblankes.home.xs4all.nl/Museum/ ... titerm.htm
It's still possible that this keyboard is sending data just a little too slow so that the converter errors out. It will be hard to troubleshoot unless you get accurate timing information out of a logic analyzer or oscilloscope. And once you figure that out it will take some time to find why the keyboard is out of spec (maybe a worn out capacitor or a bad connection somewhere? Who knows)...

It might not be worth all that trouble though. Have you considered desoldering the controller (and possibly some other components) and hooking up your own controller? It might even allow you to sync the num lock and caps lock leds with the computer then rather than being limited by the XT keyboard protocol.

Before doing that you would want to investigate the layout of the traces on the keyboard PCB though, and read up on how you actually build your own controller. And then you might still need some new stuff, it's possible that a Pro Micro does not have enough pins to hook up the existing keyboard PCB.
coolrainbow20 wrote:
23 May 2021, 15:15
I think, the Hot-Swap sockets don't need to be soldered to the pcb, because they can just be snapped onto the pcb.

PS: Also I really want to use at least one of my old vintage keyboards. (Yes I have multiple vintage keyboards.)
Well, I won't stop you, I just wanted to say that removing the old stuff might take a good amount of time (and potentially ruin the PCB if you're not careful).

As for those sockets: personally I wouldn't trust a snap-fit connector to make a reliable connection with the PCB or to stay put if you pull out a key-switch but then I've never investigated what the hot-swap crowd is using. Have you seen examples of this connector used on keyboards?

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