Help Identifying Keyboard (edit: it's a DeltaGold Elite)

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 14:22

Hi everyone-- I'm fairly new here, so please tell me if this is posted in the wrong section. Anyways, I purchased a keyboard from elecplus on Friday with Blue Alps switches. Shout out to Cindy for her hospitality and for showing me her awesome collection! The keyboard I bought is unbranded, but I'm guessing it's some variation of a Acer/Multitech KB-084AS. I posted a similar topic on Reddit and someone suggested that I try here as well. Let me know your thoughts.

Also, the keyboard powers up when plugged in but no keys are registering. All four LEDs light up and flash when a key is pressed but nothing happens on screen. Polecat has a similar keyboard and had a similar experience. He thinks it's probably an unsupported protocol. He's going to continue tinkering with his, but I don't have the skills needed to change much about mine. I've ordered a new Soarer's converter, but I'm not sure that will work. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I really want to get this keyboard up and running--it's in great condition and feels fantastic to type on. Thanks!

Pics of keyboard: https://imgur.com/a/5laTzgP/

Wintermute1974 · 02 Sep 2018, 14:34

You have the XT/AT switch set to AT, so arguably that should be right.

I can offer you a possible low tech solution: The legends shown in your photos are written with a Sharpie pen, so possibly the legends are wrong. If you move that switch to XT (then plug the keyboard back into your computer, and only then power up your computer), what happens?

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 15:07

Thanks, I had that exact same thought when I first brought it home. I should have mentioned this in my initial post. Switching it to XT resulted in the power LED staying solid green, but none of the other LEDs turned on. Key presses were not registered (same as with AT). Switching it back to AT results in a solid green power LED and flashing caps, num and scroll LEDs. I just tried this again with the same result.

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 15:13

Right now, I'm using an AT to PS/2 adapter (provided by Cindy) and a PS/2 to USB converter (that I use for my SSK). I have one other PS/2 to USB adapter that also has a mouse input, but the result is the same.

Pic of adapters: https://imgur.com/a/wIE4w78

Chyros · 02 Sep 2018, 15:34

That looks like something right in between a KB-084 a Franklin FKB-3 xD .

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 15:51

Haha. I agree. When I saw the switches and color combo I knew I was buying it. Really enjoy the videos by the way. I’ve had to explain to my wife more than once why I’m watching some guy type on old keyboards.

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 15:59

Here is a pic of the text on the circuit board: https://i.imgur.com/Ccmd6iA.jpg

Wintermute1974 · 02 Sep 2018, 16:10

Your picture of the keyboard controller shows "DeltaGold" on it quite clearly. DeltaGold was either a brand or a manufacturer. Maybe this keyboard belonged to one of their systems?

Here's what a random Google search turned up about the company: https://books.google.de/books?id=fHghpJ ... &q&f=false
It is advertising fluff with a picture, but maybe it will get you a step closer to an answer.

Edit/Update: Here is a 101-key DeltaGold keyboard. The styling is similar to yours: https://goods.ruten.com.tw/item/show?21826281068239

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 17:00

Thanks! Good stuff. I saw the Delta Gold but I didn’t find much about it online. Guess I thought it just produced the circuit board maybe. I still need to figure out the converter issue but I’m sure I’ll find something now. One step closer.

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 17:14

Delta Gold Elite maybe?

https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-g ... 1989-p-51/

gobraves2018 · 02 Sep 2018, 18:01

Couple of more links. Definitely the right one. The reddit link contains a picture set that shows the label. Thanks everyone for the help! Now to get it working...

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyb ... mment_list

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dshaffren ... 305750044/

Wintermute1974 · 03 Sep 2018, 10:05

gobraves2018 wrote: https://newspaperarchive.com/kingston-g ... 1989-p-51/

That grainy black-and-white photo looks like your keyboard. Your keyboard probably called one of these three names:

the DeltaGold Elite is the keyboard's name if it matches the computer's name;
the DGK-100 if it matches the controller's name;
the DGK-2100 if the number "2" always means "keyboard" as per the DGK-2101 from the Taiwanese listing.

Good luck finding the interfacing info!

XMIT · 03 Sep 2018, 21:35

Oh neat, someone else has made the elecplus pilgrimage! I only live 2.5 hours away but don't often find the time to get down there anymore with small kids.

gobraves2018 · 04 Sep 2018, 05:23

Yep! I'm in San Antonio and convinced my wife that we could make a day out of it. I have two young girls. They were (mostly) content waiting in the car while dad geeked out over some keyboards. It was a fun trip.

Elrick · 04 Sep 2018, 10:37

gobraves2018 wrote: They were (mostly) content waiting in the car while dad geeked out over some keyboards. It was a fun trip.

Take them along, let them see what their old man is so crazy about.

If I could go to any keyboard event, I would be the first to invite my brood down to see these models of keyboards up close and experience something truly unique.

If you leave your kids locked away how would they ever know the excitement and privilege of owning and using a mechanical keyboard in the future?

gobraves2018 · 04 Sep 2018, 13:49

Ha. I actually completely agree, Elrick. Both kids joined me inside for a few minutes, but Cindy's place is essentially a workshop. It's hard to hold a toddler and test keyboards. But don't worry, they already want their own keyboards and love clicky switches. I will need to find some pink keycaps for them, I'm sure.

I will be using a Teensy to get this keyboard up and running. Should have all the parts this afternoon. Having a hard time waiting. Eventually, I would also like to create a replacement DeltaGold badge (https://imgur.com/a/hWNXUK3). It looks like the mark was abandoned by Delta Computers Corp, so I don't think anyone should have any qualms about reproducing it. Any thoughts on who I should reach out to? Thanks, everyone!

XMIT · 04 Sep 2018, 14:23

Just create the badge now and ask forgiveness later.

I don't know what your definition of "young" is. All my kids are under five right now. Handling one toddler with me was doable but challenging.

Each kid will get a Model M when they come of age.

gobraves2018 · 04 Sep 2018, 14:37

Ha, good thinking. I mentioned the abandoned mark in case the fabricator might have concerns. I’m definitely OK moving forward. My oldest is 3.5 and youngest just turned 2. The 2 year old is constantly trying to hurt herself in new and surprising ways. It’s exhausting honestly.

XMIT · 04 Sep 2018, 17:12

Mine are nearly 5, 3, and 6 months. For a little while I'd bring just one of them along. I'm in the Austin area so the 2.5 hour drive - each way - is a bit much for them. Aligning the trip with nap times helped some.

These days I only head over if I've got a day off work or if there is some other way for me to be away from the family for the better part of the day.

gobraves2018 · 04 Sep 2018, 18:09

I hear you! The planets just happened to align for me on Friday...If anyone has any recommendations regarding a replacement badge, please let me know. I am making a few inquiries but open to suggestions.