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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: smiley1635 on August 24, 2006, 04:38:35 PM
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Hi, I am in the process of cleaning up my Infintiv Keyboard Case and its gubbins.
For those of you who dont know, it uses a little PCB to convert the Amigas keyboard ribbon cable to a PS/2 connector.
Now the keyboard adapter in my infintiv case is not all that great (left shift key ceases to work and no multi-keypress for doom.
In my Infinitiv I have a working Highway USB card.
If I bought one of these PS/2 > USB converters:
(http://i24.ebayimg.com/05/i/06/a7/a4/45_1_b.JPG)
Would all the keypresses work ok? Or would end up as something like when you press the A key it comes up as a Q on-screen?
Thanks!
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Try it and find out! An adaptor like that is dirt cheap.
I did have a PS2 mouse that wouldn't work when plugged through a PS2/USB adaptor. I'd heard somewhere that the mouse has to support USB protocols even if its built-in plug is PS2 (I guess the adaptor only changes the shape of the plug, the mouse would still need USB logic inside). If that's true, and also holds for keyboards, you may be out of luck.
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Just checked a website that sells these things:
"Note, the adapter only functions with items that are compatible with both USB and PS/2 connection types, not compatible with PS/2 only."
Doesnt look good.
I was also thinking about modding a standard USB keyboard into the infintiv keyboard case but Amiga Keyboards are a different shape to PC keyboards =\
I have included a picture of the Micronik > PS/2 adapter
(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/2755/img0192cz5.jpg)
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I have also just found this:
(http://www.geocities.com/jszybowski/keyboard/usb-adapter-ck.jpg)
Now according to this website it has been tested and working with a few IBM keyboards from 1990 and earlier.
Quote from the sellers website:
In general, a well-designed ps/2 to USB keyboard converter will actively translate the incoming ps/2 keyboard signal and convert it into a USB keyboard signal. This will allow the vintage keyboard to be recognized by the operating system as an "HID keyboard device". An active ps/2 to USB converter will use the built-in operating system drivers for a USB keyboard (for example in Microsoft Windows XP, kbdclass.sys and kbdhid.sys).
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Does the Infinitiv adapter convert the keyboard to the actual PS/2 protocol, or just to a PS/2-shaped connector. For example, the A4000's keyboard has a PS/2-shaped connector (AFAIR), but it doesn't use the PS/2 protocol/wiring.
If the wrong wiring is used, you could damage the hardware you connect together!
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Well it has a PIC chip on it, that I guess should convert it to PS2 Logic.
However I plugged it into my XP machine but it didnt work when typing.
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@ ncafferkey
I believe it becomes a true PS2 keyboard. I tested it on my A1 and it worked, albeit very poorly.
@ smiley1635
That converter should definitely work, since it has some logic added.
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Matt_H:
You got a keyboard using the infintiv keyboard adapter to work on an A1 OK?
Wonder why it didnt work on my PC.
Will have to try again.
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I have bought and used that exact model adaptor.
Inside its actually just a pic chip.
It works well enough to use all the time, although once every few days you might get a key which repeats a few times incorrectly.
I have plugged a model-M into a dell and mac laptops with no issues.
(referring to smiley1635 post, Posted on: 2006/8/25 3:56)
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There's always keyrah (http://amigakit.leamancomputing.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=466&osCsid=5dd22c14c9396e6932369a1f69beff85) - in fact I'm surprised Amigakit (http://www.amigakit.co.uk/) hasn't linked to it yet - must have taken the day off :lol: