deskthority

got this off ebay and like the layout ,stepped keys and it feels ok to type on



my question is .to get it to work on a "modern pc" will I have to use a teensy 3.1 (other products available lol)
and if so can I just connect from the six pins on the cable to the teensy to get it to work and still be able to program any key changes ie change the del key to become backspace etc

please speak in simple terms as I've never used a teensy and am a bit thick (lol)

I had an Amstrad PC1512 back in the day, so that keyboard looks familiar. Unfortunately, I haven't heard of any converters.

A quick Google found this:

For nearly all models of Amstrad XT, the keyboard and mouse are unique and cannot be used on anything else. The exception is the PC5086 keyboard; it has a switch on the back which can put it into XT mode (for the PC5086) or AT mode (for other PCs). Similarly the PC5086 mouse appears to be of standard PS/2 type.

I regularly use mid 80s IBMs with Soarer's Converter which is awesome, quite easy to make, and would do everything you want IF it supported this keyboard. Sadly not. I also don't see these old Amstrads on Hasu's supported list for his converter, which is just as good.

Adding a whole new protocol is a lot of work and well beyond my abilities. But it may be done someday. Soarer surprised me by adding Wyse support to his converter recently.

so could I just ! run wires from the membrane (doing away with the original controller) to a teensy then program the teensy ?

In theory. You'd better go inside and take some pictures!

the controller board







the membrane





and the back of the keys showing the caps leds

This thread covers the work required to figure out the matrix. You can probably see it directly with your membrane. But the read will give you a good idea how that thing actually works.

http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/filc ... lit=matrix

many thanks Muirium for your quick replies

cheers