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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: scafe on July 14, 2003, 11:34:12 AM

Title: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: scafe on July 14, 2003, 11:34:12 AM

Does anybody know how to attach a PC KBD socket to an A1200. I know you can buy many adapters but i know it can be done yourself if you are a good solderer which i am, but i dont know how. I would prefer to know how to attatch the older large din plug type rather than the new minidin/A4000 type

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: xeron on July 14, 2003, 11:37:16 AM

Remember: Aminet is your friend (http://ftp.plig.org/aminetbin/find?PC+keyb)

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: Ni72ous on July 14, 2003, 11:38:21 AM

I looked into this, all the archives i found on the aminet were for amiga keyboards, i am not sure if you can add a pc keyboard without extra hardware, i could be wrong though.

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: xeron on July 14, 2003, 11:41:16 AM

@Nitrous:

There are 5 different solutions in that link I posted. Most use a PIC, and require access to a PIC programmer (once again, AmiNET is your friend (http://ftp.plig.org/aminetbin/find?PIC+programmer)).

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: olegil on July 14, 2003, 11:52:42 AM

You need extra hardware. One PIC processor and some resistors and capacitors isn't excactly rocket science. Personally, I'll be doing my own version using Atmel AVR controllers one of these days, since I have a development kit for those lying around, and am trying to learn how to code for it (ok, so I learned that in a week, but some more practice won't hurt me :-) )

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: xeron on July 14, 2003, 11:54:50 AM

Well, personally, I think you can't beat using real Amiga keyboards. I just wish Power Computing would hurry up and ship the 2 A4000 keyboards I ordered. They were marked as "in stock" on the website, yet when I emailed them to ask what was taking so long, they said "we expect to get them in stock on friday". This was over a week ago!

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: lempkee on July 14, 2003, 12:11:57 PM

oh...i always belived aminet was our enemy :P

anyway the keyboard adapter from elbox is great,
small and can use virtually any keyboard u wanna use... and it doesnt cost much either (ermm was it like 7-8 quid?)

dont recall....anyway thats what i recomend...

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: scafe on July 15, 2003, 11:58:58 AM

it dont matter know i ordered one from powerc yesterday and i came through this morning. Basicly as soon as people started talking about programming chips and such i guessed it was probably best just to spend a few quid and buy one :-D

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: olegil on July 15, 2003, 12:12:24 PM

The Elbox adapter that plugs into the plastic ribbon connector on the A1200 sucks rats ass, because you can't use multiple keys at the same time. Try playing any game with only one finger ;-)

Btw, does anyone have any info on the Amiga keyboard protocol? I've now studied the PC keyboard protocol and feel about ready to start fiddling with those bits on the AVR MCU :-)

Title: Re: A1200>PC KBD hack
Post by: Jope on July 15, 2003, 12:36:06 PM

Quote

Btw, does anyone have any info on the Amiga keyboard protocol? I've now studied the PC keyboard protocol and feel about ready to start fiddling with those bits on the AVR MCU

Read the Hardware RKM, all is revealed there. :-)