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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: xeron on September 29, 2003, 10:34:20 PM

Title: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: xeron on September 29, 2003, 10:34:20 PM
Today I received a brand new Elbox universal keyboard adaptor from Power Computing. (this one (http://www.buy.elbox.com/cgibin/shop?info=530PC12)). It is supposed to let me use A2000/3000/4000 or PC keyboards with the A1200.

Much to my dismay, it doesn't work with either of the two A2000 keyboards I've tried. When I turn it on, the caps lock light comes on for a second or so, just like it does on my A4000 and A1500. Ctrl+Amiga+Amiga keyboard resets work fine every time, however nothing else works, and the A1200 acts as if the ` charactor (Alt+') is being constantly pressed, so it fills up string gadgets with `. :-x :-x :-x :-(

I'm going to ring Power Computing tomorrow to arrange a replacement, but I'm really disappointed so I thought i'd ask here if anyone has got one of these adaptors and has had a similar problem and fixed it...
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: Piru on September 29, 2003, 10:40:56 PM
CLK and DAT lines are swapped.

I had this effect when I accidently had these two signals swapped with my external A1200 keyboard (http://www.iki.fi/sintonen/tmp/keyb_back_s.jpg) hack (front (http://www.iki.fi/sintonen/tmp/keyb_front_1_s.jpg)).
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: xeron on September 29, 2003, 10:43:12 PM
Thats very odd, since it is impossible to plug the keyboard socket in the wrong way round, PLUS it did work once (and only once) :-?
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: x56h34 on September 29, 2003, 10:46:15 PM
I've had exactly the same device before selling my A1200T setup and it was working great with both the PC and the A2000 keyboard. Two things I can suggest:

1. Have you inserted the KB adapter correctly? All the way down? I think it can be insered the other way around in an incorrect fashion so check if that is OK.

2. Have you tried a PC keyboard too?
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: lorddef on September 29, 2003, 10:48:02 PM
Probably just duff.  Sometimes when I boot my A1200T the caps light on the A4000 keyboard I have just flashes on and off, keypresses do nothing, a rebbot fixes it.  It's very rare but it pisses me off sometimes.

Anyhow I'm now stripping the little git, so if there are any A1200 add-ons people want I'm open to offers.
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: Piru on September 29, 2003, 10:48:17 PM
Quote
Thats very odd, since it is impossible to plug the keyboard socket in the wrong way round, PLUS it did work once (and only once)

My guess was the wiring on the adaptor itself was wrong, but if it worked once then it can't be this.

Probably the board just fried or has bad soldering or something like that.
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: xeron on September 29, 2003, 10:51:26 PM
Quote

1. Have you inserted the KB adapter correctly? All the way down? I think it can be insered the other way around in an incorrect fashion so check if that is OK.


Its very firmly in place. I can only conclude that it is the right way around because the keyboard initialises correctly, and keyboard resets work.

I can't try a PC keyboard because I don't have one with an AT connector, or a converter. Even so, I don't want it to work with a PC keyboard; I paid £40 for the privelige of proper Amiga keys...

*sigh* i guess its just duff and i'll have to send it back. :-(
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: xeron on September 29, 2003, 10:52:43 PM
Quote

Probably the board just fried or has bad soldering or something like that.


Possibly. It didn't work first time, though. It didn't work for the first 3 or 4 boots, but then it suddenly worked once. I've booted at least 10 times since and its never worked again :-(
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: xeron on September 29, 2003, 10:57:51 PM
OOooooh... Just on a whim, I bent the ground solder-pin up, thinking it might push the other end more firmly into the shield of the DIN plug. Now its working. Just hope that was actually it and not a coincidence...
Title: Re: Elbox universal A1200 keyboard adaptor
Post by: amigamad on September 29, 2003, 11:04:29 PM
Its the same as the one i have i have nt tried it with an amiga 2000 keyboard but i will tommorow works fine with the compaq pc keyboard i have. :-)