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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: superfrog76 on September 27, 2013, 09:22:53 AM

Title: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: superfrog76 on September 27, 2013, 09:22:53 AM
I know that a guy on Ebay sell keyboards adapter for the 1200, so you can use a standard ps2 keyboard (saw similar items on other online store too, altho they are all located in EU); but I am curious to know if I can get something that allows me to use either a PS2 keyboard, or an amiga 2000/4000 keyboard, on a   1200.

The reason being that I am planning to save the original case and port the motherboard in a small desktop case; which will require to put away the original keyboard and use either a PS2 keyboard or one from the Amiga desktops.

PS2 are more common, but I would like to use a real vintage Amiga keyboard, altho I can't find any info about how could you possibly hook it up to the 1200.

Hopefully it won't involve too small solder points...I am quite shaky on that :) So far no luck in an adaptor for the A2000/A4000 keyboard; only the one for the ps2.

Any suggestion about what should I do (and how) ? Thanks!
Title: Re: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: carvedeye on September 27, 2013, 09:41:47 AM
Quote from: superfrog76;748954
I know that a guy on Ebay sell keyboards adapter for the 1200, so you can use a standard ps2 keyboard (saw similar items on other online store too, altho they are all located in EU); but I am curious to know if I can get something that allows me to use either a PS2 keyboard, or an amiga 2000/4000 keyboard, on a   1200.

The reason being that I am planning to save the original case and port the motherboard in a small desktop case; which will require to put away the original keyboard and use either a PS2 keyboard or one from the Amiga desktops.

PS2 are more common, but I would like to use a real vintage Amiga keyboard, altho I can't find any info about how could you possibly hook it up to the 1200.

Hopefully it won't involve too small solder points...I am quite shaky on that :) So far no luck in an adaptor for the A2000/A4000 keyboard; only the one for the ps2.

Any suggestion about what should I do (and how) ? Thanks!


You can use a keyboard adaptor like the EZ Key from amigakit and then get an amiga 2000/4000 keyboard and use a DIN to PS/2 adaptor.
Title: Re: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: superfrog76 on September 27, 2013, 09:47:39 AM
Thanks carvedeye.

I see no product called EZ key on Amigakit thou; they have one called Lyra 2; is that the same?

So the Amiga 2000/4000 keyboard is a simple PS2 keyboard on DIN connector?

I guess nobody made a kit to adapt the internal A1200 keyboard to an external case :)
Title: Re: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: carvedeye on September 27, 2013, 09:51:11 AM
Quote from: superfrog76;748957
they have one called Lyra 2; is that the same?


Yes that will work the same.
Title: Re: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: superfrog76 on September 27, 2013, 10:02:11 AM
Much appreciated!
Title: Re: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: Kronos on September 27, 2013, 11:26:03 AM
Just to clear up some confusion:

Amiga2000/3000/4000T use a DIN connector, A4000D/CDTV(?) use the small PS/2 style connector. Signal wise they are all pretty much the same.

PS/2-keyboards are just AT-keyboards that use the smaller connector.

No simple PS/2-DIN adaptor will allow you to connect any Amiga-KBD to a PC or otherwise !!

Your options:
- get the kbd-adaptor that came with some Micronic towers, it will convert the A1200KBD to PS/2 and than at the mobo convert any PS/2-kbd back to the A1200. It also said to be able to recognize a A4000-kbd used instead of a PS/2 one.

- use one of the hacks on Aminet to convert a Ax000 kbd for A1200 use, this works by disabling the kbd-controller on the 1200 and wiring the Ax000-kbd in it's place (Ax000/A500 include the controller in the kbd, A600/1200 on mobo)

- get a ready made PS/2 kbd converter for the A1200, these come in 2 variants. Either they are plugged into the foil-cable-connector or clipped over the kbd-controller (disabling it it similar to those hacks mentioned above).
Title: Re: Mods for keyboard? (A1200)
Post by: LaserBack on September 28, 2013, 08:03:19 AM
Quote from: superfrog76;748954
I know that a guy on Ebay sell keyboards adapter for the 1200, so you can use a standard ps2 keyboard (saw similar items on other online store too, altho they are all located in EU); but I am curious to know if I can get something that allows me to use either a PS2 keyboard, or an amiga 2000/4000 keyboard, on a   1200.

The reason being that I am planning to save the original case and port the motherboard in a small desktop case; which will require to put away the original keyboard and use either a PS2 keyboard or one from the Amiga desktops.

PS2 are more common, but I would like to use a real vintage Amiga keyboard, altho I can't find any info about how could you possibly hook it up to the 1200.

Hopefully it won't involve too small solder points...I am quite shaky on that :) So far no luck in an adaptor for the A2000/A4000 keyboard; only the one for the ps2.

Any suggestion about what should I do (and how) ? Thanks!


connecting an amiga 2000/4000 keyboard to the A1200 is easy mod
check this

http://encanta.avalonsoftware.org/arm/1/adaptadorteclado.php

link in spanish but schems are easy to understand