deskthority

I recently salvaged an Everex keyboard with black Hi-Tek switches. It has a DIN 5 connector that plugs in to a six pin header on the keyboard. Next to it is a switch - one side is labelled "AT" and the other "PC,XT" on the circuit board. I searched around and could not find any information about these modes. What do they mean? Is it possible this keyboard supports USB with the appropriate cable?

I have the keyboard in pieces for an extensive cleaning at the moment. I've posted pictures - note the dirt on the black metal piece with the switches on it. Any thoughts on how I can clean that? I cannot separate the black metal plate from the rest of the keyboard.

I'll post pictures of the fully re-assembled keyboard when I figure everything out. Sorry for the poor image quality, my camera is not as good as my keyboards!

AT is basically PS/2 with a bigger plug. You will want to set the switch to AT. XT is the previous, incompatible protocol.

To use that keyboard with USB you will need to buy a [wiki]converter[/wiki].

Aw darn, I was hopeful. At least I learned something new. Thanks.

You pulled all the switch tops? That's a lot of work!

Be really careful not to bend any of the contacts when putting the switches back together. I did that once

If it's still all apart, you could sort yourself out with a Teensy-based controller and have the USB support integrated inside the keyboard.

I'd love to try this type of switch someday!

I have a black space invader board, too. Nice clicky switches. Great caps. And full NKRO over USB if you pop in Soarer's Converter.

http://deskthority.net/review-f45/nmb-r ... t8469.html

After reading exactely this review, I suddenly felt the need to try one