Question regarding PS/2 to USB adapters with USB Y cable for a Model F

[derzemel]

Hello,

I have gotten an IBM Model F AT and I was wondering if this PS/2-USB adapter would work ok:

http://www.ebay.de/itm/USB-Adapter-auf- ... 2ec8b5c54f


Do I also need an USB Y cable, like the one below, to make sure that the AT gets enough juice?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-port-Dual-U ... 4d2bc5c169

Thank you!

[photekq]

That price suggests passive.. You want an active converter, like 'the blue cube'.

[Khers]

Moreover, the AT has a DIN5 connector, not a PS/2, so you'll need an AT to PS/2 connector as well if you don't already have one. Or maybe build a Soarer's converter to make remapping the layout easier.

The Model F is not particularly power hungry, so I don't think you'll need the USB Y

[seebart]

yeah I got myself a blue cube last year. They're worth getting.

[derzemel]

Moreover, the AT has a DIN5 connector, not a PS/2, so you'll need an AT to PS/2 connector as well if you don't already have one. Or maybe build a Soarer's converter to make remapping the layout easier.

The Model F is not particularly power hungry, so I don't think you'll need the USB Y

I have a DIN to PS/2, but the main issue I have is that some of the keys do no work when it's connecter to the PS2. and I want to try the converter.

The keys are 2, W, A, S, Z. I was thinking that it may be an power/signal issue at first.

I will take it apart tonight and do a thorough cleaning with Spray Contact Cleaner and Isopropyl Alcohol.

I also bought a multimeter today to do some continuity checks on the strip

[DanielT]

I recommend getting this one http://techkeys.us/collections/accessor ... de-adapter shipped it will be around 20$ and you won't have to pay import taxes This one is an active adapter and it's one of the best, also the form factor is great. I have one for my SSK and works like a charm.
The cheap ones you find , those Y cables work too, but are not stable and cause all sorts of problems. I have one of those too and had to resolder everything and fill that "box" with epoxy in order to secure it and avoid future problems.

[Khers]

I recommend getting this one http://techkeys.us/collections/accessor ... de-adapter shipped it will be around 20$ and you won't have to pay import taxes This one is an active adapter and it's one of the best, also the form factor is great. I have one for my SSK and works like a charm.
The cheap ones you find , those Y cables work too, but are not stable and cause all sorts of problems.

That's a really neat one! I bought a couple last year when getting some Ms, and fwiw if I was looking for an adapter today I'd just go for the blue cube. Ok, it's a bit bulky but it always works.

If you have a Teensy or Pro Micro, setting up a Soarer's shouldn't be that difficult though, and it's much more versatile

[HzFaq]

There's a seller on ebay that sells Soarers converter inline cables. They're really nice, a little pricey (I think I paid $30), but really nice.

I'll see if I can dig up a link, I'm pretty sure he's active on GH as well.

edit - http://www.ebay.com/itm/301365445104

That's the ebay link, the seller is orihalcon on GH. If you message him there I think he gives you a bit of a discount.

edit again - https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64 ... msg1717133

That's his thread on GH for them.

[Spikebolt]

The SLD to USB cables that guy sells seem AMAZING.

[HzFaq]

I wanted something special for my MX5000 (my soarers have all been a little....industrial to say the least); the cable delivered on all fronts.

[Sigmoid]

Even though the AT protocol is compatible with PS/2, the scan codes used on old AT keyboards are not necessarily compatible with those used on contemporary PS/2 ones. A PS/2 to USB converter will likely be confused by the obsolete scan codes, which results in "some keys not working". You'll need a Soarer's for this one.

As for 2WASZ though, that's pretty close physically... I'm afraid you'll have to take the keyboard apart and see what's going on there (and replace the foam mat). A Model F doesn't have contacts inside, so contact cleaner won't help. If you meant contact cleaner on the AT connector, if you had bad contact, you wouldn't get any input.