Amiga.org
Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Will-i-am on December 30, 2005, 02:09:28 PM
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I'm running out of keyboards now. Nice that the a4000T doesn't take the same keyboard as the a4000D but does take the same as the a2000. I have to assume that the other models share the same disfunction. So I have one Lyra adapter making it possible to use my ancient Compaq keyboard on the CS/PPC A4000D and after swapping that back and forth between the "parts" A4KD and the Sister of the Beast, I'm a bit weary. The Belkin switcher only allows me to share monitors, not mice, nor keyboards. Kinda disappointing that, wish someone would build one for Amigas. What I am wondering is, is there a way to rewire the plug on a PC keyboard, or does the Lyra do more than swap wires? I have 3 keyboards and 4 running Amigas, plus two on the sidelines waiting to be plugged in. (I've also run out of desktop room, time to stack the boxes.)
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The lyra does more than just rewire, it "translates" the PC signals to Amiga signals..
But there are adapters for DIN <-> PS/2 connectors, if that´s what you´re after? If you have one of these, you can basically use all Amiga keyboards with all kinds of (bigbox) Amigas.. And PC keyboards to, if you use the Lyra..
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The 'small' (6-pin mini-DIN, A4000D) and 'big' (5-pin DIN, A2000, A3000 & A4000T) Amiga Keyboard connectors have the exact same pinouts as equivalent PC-keyboard connectors, so you can use 'standard' PC keyboard adapters. These can be found in both 'directions' ('small' connector on the keyboard -> 'big' connector on the computer or vice versa).
http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.asp?sku=100158&cks=PRL
'big'->'small'
http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.asp?sku=100159&cks=PRL
'small'->'big'
A PC keyboard-switcher should also work with Amiga keyboards. But do go for a slightly more expensive one (ie electronic), because the cheap mechanical ones are equivalent to hot-plugging the keyboard which is not a nice thing to do to your Amiga.
Mouse switching is also possible. But this will be expensive, because you'll need one of these http://amiga.resource.cx/exp/search.pl?dir=misc#topolino3 (or similar) for each of your Amigas, and ofcourse a PS/2-style PC-mouse.
-Paul