Just got a 1986 version Model M with no cables - could I get cable advice please?
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- Location: United Kingdom
Hello, first post here!
Hoping for some advice, I managed to get a decent looking 1986 Model M (manufactured pretty much on the day I was born too which made me want it even more!) - it's basically parts as it has no cable, but it looks to be a decent UK layout.
Cost me £80 which I am hoping wasn't too much, this is my first attempt at vintage IBM and I have read the square logo is the best quality, plus it's UK which I really wanted.
This is my first post here, but I know this is the forum where I am best asking about vintage models of this age, I can see the port connector but at this age it won't be PS/2 ?
It is a 1389969 and that apparrently was not for PCs, so I will need some kind of conversion, and also the original cable, this could be tricky!
Can anyone advise me what cable(s) I would need to get this up and running? Looking at the condition I assume it isn't broken as I bought it from a company that sells off business assets and they have no methods to test.
Any advice would be appreciated on this, and thanks!
Hoping for some advice, I managed to get a decent looking 1986 Model M (manufactured pretty much on the day I was born too which made me want it even more!) - it's basically parts as it has no cable, but it looks to be a decent UK layout.
Cost me £80 which I am hoping wasn't too much, this is my first attempt at vintage IBM and I have read the square logo is the best quality, plus it's UK which I really wanted.
This is my first post here, but I know this is the forum where I am best asking about vintage models of this age, I can see the port connector but at this age it won't be PS/2 ?
It is a 1389969 and that apparrently was not for PCs, so I will need some kind of conversion, and also the original cable, this could be tricky!
Can anyone advise me what cable(s) I would need to get this up and running? Looking at the condition I assume it isn't broken as I bought it from a company that sells off business assets and they have no methods to test.
Any advice would be appreciated on this, and thanks!
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- depletedvespene
- Location: Chile
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F122
- Main mouse: Logitech G700s
- Favorite switch: buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0224
- Contact:
This seems to be a PC keyboard, not a terminal keyboard (the non-split numpad+ and the printed legends on the modifiers and the numpad indicate so). Therefore, this unit should have an SDL port:
and take a (get ready for this) SDL cable. Unicomp still sells SDL-to-PS/2 cables: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/1397449 and so does Clicky Keyboards: https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product ... rd-cables/ . You'll find them on eBay as well.
Another option would be to get an SDL-to-USB Soarer's Converter cable, like the ones Orihalcon makes and sells (see https://www.ebay.com/itm/282933562080/ for an example — do NOT get this one, though, as it's for a different kind of connector). Orihalcon is a DT member, so you can contact him directly.
HTH!
and take a (get ready for this) SDL cable. Unicomp still sells SDL-to-PS/2 cables: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/1397449 and so does Clicky Keyboards: https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product ... rd-cables/ . You'll find them on eBay as well.
Another option would be to get an SDL-to-USB Soarer's Converter cable, like the ones Orihalcon makes and sells (see https://www.ebay.com/itm/282933562080/ for an example — do NOT get this one, though, as it's for a different kind of connector). Orihalcon is a DT member, so you can contact him directly.
HTH!
- depletedvespene
- Location: Chile
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F122
- Main mouse: Logitech G700s
- Favorite switch: buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0224
- Contact:
The P/N 1389969 indicates that, indeed, this is a PC Model M keyboard, with the English (UK) national layout. It indeed, looks like all its keycaps are original. The keyboard lacks lock lights because it was sold as a keyboard replacement for PC XT keyboards, but it should nevertheless work "out-of-the-box" with another computer.
The part number also indicates this is an early unit, too. At £80, it's a good price it the keyboard is in full working order, which should be the case (and if not, repairs should be easy). You'll surely get questions of the "Where did you get it? Are there any more of those?" kind; if we may ask, what is the mfg. date on the back label?
The part number also indicates this is an early unit, too. At £80, it's a good price it the keyboard is in full working order, which should be the case (and if not, repairs should be easy). You'll surely get questions of the "Where did you get it? Are there any more of those?" kind; if we may ask, what is the mfg. date on the back label?
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- Location: United Kingdom
depletedvespene wrote: ↑15 Nov 2021, 10:38This seems to be a PC keyboard, not a terminal keyboard (the non-split numpad+ and the printed legends on the modifiers and the numpad indicate so). Therefore, this unit should have an SDL port:
sdl.png
and take a (get ready for this) SDL cable. Unicomp still sells SDL-to-PS/2 cables: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/1397449 and so does Clicky Keyboards: https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product ... rd-cables/ . You'll find them on eBay as well.
Another option would be to get an SDL-to-USB Soarer's Converter cable, like the ones Orihalcon makes and sells (see https://www.ebay.com/itm/282933562080/ for an example — do NOT get this one, though, as it's for a different kind of connector). Orihalcon is a DT member, so you can contact him directly.
HTH!
Thanks very much for the advice. It does in fact have the port as you indicated. I am very happy to hear it was in fact for the PC, from my reading on here I got concerned it wasn't. I think I will likely get both cable options, I will get the Unicomp one first just to make sure it works, thanks for this advice, I am really glad it wasn't a massive conversion needed on my first vintage IBM, save that for when I have a bit more IBM knowledge!
Thanks again!
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- Location: United Kingdom
Again, thanks! Dated 30-09-1986, but this was the only one I saw and even with my limited knowledge I know the square logo was the best build quality - rather than a brand new one this sounds way better. Now to get the cable ordered!depletedvespene wrote: ↑15 Nov 2021, 10:49The P/N 1389969 indicates that, indeed, this is a PC Model M keyboard, with the English (UK) national layout. It indeed, looks like all its keycaps are original. The keyboard lacks lock lights because it was sold as a keyboard replacement for PC XT keyboards, but it should nevertheless work "out-of-the-box" with another computer.
The part number also indicates this is an early unit, too. At £80, it's a good price it the keyboard is in full working order, which should be the case (and if not, repairs should be easy). You'll surely get questions of the "Where did you get it? Are there any more of those?" kind; if we may ask, what is the mfg. date on the back label?
Good to hear its repairable if not too, your advice on this has been invaluable, thank you!
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- Location: United Kingdom
Hello, yes if you don't mind that would be amazing, I will shoot you over a message, hope that's ok!
Edit: Just saw your message!
- digital_matthew
- Location: United States
- Main keyboard: Ellipse Model F62
- Main mouse: It's a Secret.
- Favorite switch: Capacative Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: -
Nice. Looks like it still has most of the rivets too. I have the same model from the same year, and it's one of the best feeling Model Ms I've ever typed on. Enjoy!
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- Location: United Kingdom
Yes I got quite lucky I think, when I opened it just a couple of rivets fell out and one plastic tab which I will fix back on. And thanks! It's my first Model M so I started with one of the best!digital_matthew wrote: ↑18 Nov 2021, 18:09Nice. Looks like it still has most of the rivets too. I have the same model from the same year, and it's one of the best feeling Model Ms I've ever typed on. Enjoy!
- fohat
- Elder Messenger
- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
- Main keyboard: Model F 122-key terminal
- Main mouse: Microsoft Optical Mouse
- Favorite switch: Model F Buckling Spring
- DT Pro Member: 0158
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Input, sure. Output though? You prefer vintage displays and printers too? I sure don’t!
Keyboards are honestly the *only* hardware that’s gotten worse over the years and decades. Everything else was atrocious because it’s all they could build back then. Keyboards though: solved problem. The only way forward was ruining them.
Keyboards are honestly the *only* hardware that’s gotten worse over the years and decades. Everything else was atrocious because it’s all they could build back then. Keyboards though: solved problem. The only way forward was ruining them.
- depletedvespene
- Location: Chile
- Main keyboard: IBM Model F122
- Main mouse: Logitech G700s
- Favorite switch: buckling spring
- DT Pro Member: 0224
- Contact:
Someone seems to have forgotten the monitor chasm we lived in during 2007-2011. LCD monitors started to get better from 2012 onwards, but during those dreadful years, older CRTs in good shape we highly sought after, especially by those for whom color callibration was a must.Muirium wrote: ↑27 Nov 2021, 18:41Input, sure. Output though? You prefer vintage displays and printers too? I sure don’t!
Keyboards are honestly the *only* hardware that’s gotten worse over the years and decades. Everything else was atrocious because it’s all they could build back then. Keyboards though: solved problem. The only way forward was ruining them.
(the rest of your point stands, though)
- Bjerrk
- Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Main keyboard: Cherry G80-1800 & Models F & M
- Main mouse: Mouse Keys, Trackpoint, Trackball
- Favorite switch: IBM Buckling Springs+Beamspring, Alps Plate Spring
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
We used to pay more for it because it was better! (And there was a thousand times less of it… whatd’ya gonna do? That fancy World Wide Web browser needs at least 2 Megabytes all by itself. Bloatware nowadays!)