Converting an IBM Pingmaster

[just_add_coffee]

PD0 and PD1 are labelled on your device. They're different pins to the ones you're currently using.

My goal here is to understand what each of these pins are for. Are they abbreviations?

[just_add_coffee]

Coffee what are you doing stahp staaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Put the case back on that young keyboard and do a proper db9 port to the converter. I'm like 106% sure that soarer's converter is not a controller. Even tmk I think is not a controller.

Not gonna happen with this keyboard. The controller is out. I'm not soldering 40 pins to put the controller back in. Nope. The controller has passed on. This controller is no more! It has ceased to be! It's expired and gone to meet its maker! It's a stiff! Bereft of life. Rests in peace. Pushing up the daisies! Its metabolic processes are now history! Off the twig! Kicked the bucket! Shuffled off its mortal coil. Run down the curtain and joined the bleeding choir invisible!

But I have two more brand new Pingmasters on the way. And at least one of 'em will get your db9 treatment.

Edit: When you get a chance, please post a pic of what you mean.

Also, I've been following the instructions of others who've gotten this keyboard to work via USB. I didn't decide on my own to remove the controller. Is the route that I've been guided towards the easiest way or the best way to get this keyboard to work on a modern computer? Apparently not. But now I know.

[__red__]

PD0 and PD1 are labelled on your device. They're different pins to the ones you're currently using.

My goal here is to understand what each of these pins are for. Are they abbreviations?

Page 5 of the datasheet here: http://www.atmel.com/Images/Atmel-7766- ... asheet.pdf

Port D is an 8-bit bi-directional I/O port with internal pull-up resistors (selected for each bit). The Port D output
buffers have symmetrical drive characteristics with both high sink and source capability. As inputs, Port D pins
that are externally pulled low will source current if the pull-up resistors are activated. The Port D pins are tristated
when a reset condition becomes active, even if the clock is not running.

Port D also serves the functions of various special features of the ATmega16U4/ATmega32U4 as listed on
page 78

From page 78:

PD1 INT1/SDA (External Interrupt1 Input or TWI Serial DAta)
PD0 INT0/SCL/OC0B (External Interrupt0 Input or TWI Serial CLock or Output Compare for Timer/Counter0)

Take a look at the tmk source code and it appears to be used as a generic GPIO port as opposed to the special-purpose serial port: https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard/blo ... b/config.h

Code: Select all

/* Pin configuration */
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_PORT  PORTD
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_PIN   PIND
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_DDR   DDRD
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_BIT   1
#define IBM4704_DATA_PORT   PORTD
#define IBM4704_DATA_PIN    PIND
#define IBM4704_DATA_DDR    DDRD
#define IBM4704_DATA_BIT    0

[just_add_coffee]

Ah homework. Thank you _red_!

I'm still a bit confused regarding why a DS-9 port is the preferred way to get to the Teensy2.0. Is it to preserve the original cable? Why not just cut the cable off, solder the red, yellow, black, and white wires coming off the brown connector to the Teensy2.0, and run the USB out from the case?

[__red__]

Less invasive is the reason I did it that way. It's personal preference.

[just_add_coffee]

Less invasive is the reason I did it that way. It's personal preference.

Got it. Thanks!

The new Pingmasters and Teensy2.0s will be in Tuesday and this time the controller stays put.

[__red__]

Your local radioshack probably has a DB9 socket.

[Wingklip]

Oh god coffee what have you done??1??1?1!11 It think the brains were supposed to stay inside so the signal it generates can be converted by the spirit of Soarer

[just_add_coffee]

It think the brains were supposed to stay inside so the signal it generates can be converted by the spirit of Soarer

Depends on who you ask.

http://imgur.com/gallery/DwJaX

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=85 ... msg2302188

I was also receiving guidance from Wodan here via PM.

[Wingklip]

It think the brains were supposed to stay inside so the signal it generates can be converted by the spirit of Soarer

Depends on who you ask.

http://imgur.com/gallery/DwJaX

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=85 ... msg2302188

I was also receiving guidance from Wodan here via PM.

Impossible! To think that Soarer left us with a hidden legacy...

[just_add_coffee]

Impossible! To think that Soarer left us with a hidden legacy...

It's been frustrating as hell trying to learn how to make old keyboards usable because getting help isn't easy (even when offering to pay for it), the instructions are either incomplete or created for a target audience of engineering phDs, and opinions and methods vary.

[Wingklip]

Impossible! To think that Soarer left us with a hidden legacy...

It's been frustrating as hell trying to learn how to make old keyboards usable because getting help isn't easy (even when offering to pay for it), the instructions are either incomplete or created for a target audience of engineering phDs, and opinions and methods vary.

Haha, I had to solder in an xwhatsit using compositing of two different images and then figuring out how to wire each wire to what. TFW didn't have the adapter board

First time lucky what are you stuck on though? I would check solder joints first. The small things like that are the first ones to go. Also break out the multimeter to check signals and voltages

[just_add_coffee]

what are you stuck on though?

I tore another trace. On the bright side: Kick ass Alps for a custom build and extra relegendables! But my desoldering skills are still abysmal.

The two new Pingmasters arrived today. I won't touch the controller this time, but I really want to do an internal Soarer's because an external one plus the original cable and the USB extension is a lotta cable in the way.

Haha, I had to solder in an xwhatsit using compositing of two different images and then figuring out how to wire each wire to what.

The xwhatist replaces a controller, right? Is there a general rule regarding when controllers have to be replaced or when an xwhatsit or a Hasu converter is needed?

[__red__]

The xwhatist replaces a controller, right? Is there a general rule regarding when controllers have to be replaced or when an xwhatsit or a Hasu converter is needed?

It's entirely your choice, but remember that there are frequently multiple options. My rule tends to be to use the least invasive unless there is specific functionality I need.

So @just_add_coffee ... If you're insistent in putting the teensy inside of your new keyboard then I'm willing to modify one of mine the same way so we can work on it together if that would help you.

I would just want you to commit to me that you'd be available / responsive so I don't end up stripping down a working board for a period of time. I'll document it in detail.

Interested?

[__red__]

Interested?

fsck it, now I'm interested... the board:

WIN_20170419_21_15_00_Pro.jpg (76.31 KiB) Viewed 5796 times

The connector you're interested in in context (top):

WIN_20170419_21_17_47_Pro.jpg (157.49 KiB) Viewed 5796 times

Closer... because I want to document the colours:

WIN_20170419_21_18_27_Pro.jpg (95.34 KiB) Viewed 5796 times

Now... let's take apart the plug at the other end... and note colours:

WIN_20170419_21_23_09_Pro.jpg (99.28 KiB) Viewed 5796 times

Remove the original cable, add USB to retainer:

WIN_20170419_21_29_25_Pro.jpg (115.37 KiB) Viewed 5796 times

... and steal the original connector:

WIN_20170419_21_33_28_Pro.jpg (131.42 KiB) Viewed 5796 times

... thus far:

[__red__]

DSUB-9
-------------
\ N 2 3 4 5 /
\ N N N N /
---------
2 GND
3 VCC 5V
4 DATA
5 CLOCK
N No connection/No pin.

So - the colours of the cable are:
GND - White
Red - VCC 5V
Black - Data
Yellow - Clock

Chassis Ground - Ignore for now.

[just_add_coffee]

I'm here! I had actually opened up the case and removed the cable before checking online!

[__red__]

Sweet! I'm breaking out my soldering iron.

This is the 6th or 7th time this teensy has been re-soldered so I stand a decent chance of breaking it - but I'll give it a shot.

Warming the iron...

[just_add_coffee]

I'm with ya!

IMG_20170419_185240.jpg

[__red__]

Sweet!

WIN_20170419_21_56_33_Pro.jpg (120.44 KiB) Viewed 5766 times

Starting to desolder...

[just_add_coffee]

So - the colours of the cable are:
GND - White
Red - VCC 5V
Black - Data
Yellow - Clock

Chassis Ground - Ignore for now.

So Red to VCC, GND to White ... that leaves PD0 and PD1 for Data and Clock. Which goes to which?

[__red__]

So - the colours of the cable are:
GND - White
Red - VCC 5V
Black - Data
Yellow - Clock

Chassis Ground - Ignore for now.

So Red to VCC, GND to White ... that leaves PD0 and PD1 for Data and Clock. Which goes to which?

/* Pin configuration */
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_PORT PORTD
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_PIN PIND
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_DDR DDRD
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_BIT 1
#define IBM4704_DATA_PORT PORTD
#define IBM4704_DATA_PIN PIND
#define IBM4704_DATA_DDR DDRD
#define IBM4704_DATA_BIT 0

D0 Data
D1 Clock

Soldering cables (ps, I recommend you let me apply power first since I have a whole test lab here to debug)

[just_add_coffee]

/* Pin configuration */
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_PORT PORTD
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_PIN PIND
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_DDR DDRD
#define IBM4704_CLOCK_BIT 1
#define IBM4704_DATA_PORT PORTD
#define IBM4704_DATA_PIN PIND
#define IBM4704_DATA_DDR DDRD
#define IBM4704_DATA_BIT 0

I don't really understand anything after "IBM4704" or how we get "D0 Data" and "D1 Clock" from that.

Soldering cables (ps, I recommend you let me apply power first since I have a whole test lab here to debug)

Roger that.

And if you're able, take some pics of your lab. I'd love to see what the pros are using!

[__red__]

I'm having real problems with D1 due to my desoldering, may need to cheat - brb

[__red__]

WIN_20170419_22_34_11_Pro.jpg (95.66 KiB) Viewed 5759 times

^^^^ Nuke

[__red__]

There.

I dipped my wick and added heat. Ever seen a cleaner hole?

WIN_20170419_22_38_06_Pro.jpg (98.45 KiB) Viewed 5758 times

[just_add_coffee]

I dipped my wick and added heat. Ever seen a cleaner hole?

I'm by no means an expert on holes, but I'd say that was one clean hole!

[just_add_coffee]

maybe.jpg

Edit: Ugh. I just noticed that USB cable. It's been replaced with a new one.

[__red__]

WIN_20170419_22_57_42_Pro.jpg (161.28 KiB) Viewed 5739 times

WIN_20170419_22_56_54_Pro.jpg (170.38 KiB) Viewed 5739 times

[__red__]

Confirmed, and typing this post on the keyboard with the teensy inside!

WIN_20170419_23_04_44_Pro.jpg (106.9 KiB) Viewed 5738 times