Using A1000 Keyboard on A2000

[bigbangtech]

Currently have an A2000 without keyboard... All I have is an A1000 KB.

I've looked at multiple pinouts on the web and can't get this to work.

When I plug the keyboard in, it either a)does nothing or b)resets, and then boots after keyboard is unplugged.

I'm pretty sure I had Ground a +5V connected properly. I tried swapping Clock and Data just in case, same problems.

Has anyone been able to accomplish this? And can you share which wires you hooked where?

Keep in mind that you have to be specific when speaking about the A2000,  if it is the motherboard side, or the cable side of the connection. And  you have to be specific about the connector pinout on the port on the  A1000 keyboard, not the port on the A1000.

[ChaosLord]

A1000 keyboard is missing keys that A2000 keyboard has.

You would probably be better off to just buy a PS/2 keyboard adapter for your A2000 and then buy a keyboard from WASDKeyboards.com and tell them you want US International Layout with AMIGA keys for the OS Keys.  And get the soft 40A O-rings.  Tell them I sent u.

That way you get a keyboard with all the keys and all the keys have springs underneath just like real Amiga keyboards.

It also makes you future proof forever and ever.  As u will always be able to buy replacement PS/2 keyboards.

In fact I bet u already have 3 different PS/2 keyboards sitting in ur closet right now that you can plug into your A2000 and use right now if you had a PS/2 keyboard adapter.

I have PS/2 adapters for my entire Amiga collection.  And PS/2 mouse adapters for every Amiga too.

I am really into keyboards and mice and they just have to be perfect for me.

What ever u decide to do, good luck.

[Iggy]

A1000 keyboard is missing keys that A2000 keyboard has.

You would probably be better off to just buy a PS/2 keyboard adapter for your A2000 and then buy a keyboard from WASDKeyboards.com and tell them you want US International Layout with AMIGA keys for the OS Keys.  And get the soft 40A O-rings.  Tell them I sent u.

That way you get a keyboard with all the keys and all the keys have springs underneath just like real Amiga keyboards.

It also makes you future proof forever and ever.  As u will always be able to buy replacement PS/2 keyboards.

In fact I bet u already have 3 different PS/2 keyboards sitting in ur closet right now that you can plug into your A2000 and use right now if you had a PS/2 keyboard adapter.

I have PS/2 adapters for my entire Amiga collection.  And PS/2 mouse adapters for every Amiga too.

I am really into keyboards and mice and they just have to be perfect for me.

What ever u decide to do, good luck.

Thanks for those points.
I need a keyboard for my A200 too.
And good keyboards are hard to come by these days.

BTW - Which keyswitch type do you prefer?

[bigbangtech]

I'm a DIY type of person and don't feel like spending $40 for a ps2 adapter or a2000 keyboard and wait for it to arrive from fleabay.

Weird thing is, I tried to wire an A500 kb to my a1000 and had the same exact problems with resets, driving me absolutely bat$h1t

I understand the perfect mouse thing, been using an Intellimouse Explorer since they first came out, got discontinued, bought NOS, got re-released, bought some new ones and on and on.

A1000 keyboard is missing keys that A2000 keyboard has.

You would probably be better off to just buy a PS/2 keyboard adapter for your A2000 and then buy a keyboard from WASDKeyboards.com and tell them you want US International Layout with AMIGA keys for the OS Keys.  And get the soft 40A O-rings.  Tell them I sent u.

That way you get a keyboard with all the keys and all the keys have springs underneath just like real Amiga keyboards.

It also makes you future proof forever and ever.  As u will always be able to buy replacement PS/2 keyboards.

In fact I bet u already have 3 different PS/2 keyboards sitting in ur closet right now that you can plug into your A2000 and use right now if you had a PS/2 keyboard adapter.

I have PS/2 adapters for my entire Amiga collection.  And PS/2 mouse adapters for every Amiga too.

I am really into keyboards and mice and they just have to be perfect for me.

What ever u decide to do, good luck.

[ChaosLord]

Thanks for those points.
I need a keyboard for my A200 too.
And good keyboards are hard to come by these days.

BTW - Which keyswitch type do you prefer?

Cherry MX Red keyswitches are the only kind that make any sense.  I STRONGLY recommend u to install pads or O-rings under each key else u will destroy your hands and your life like I did.

[arttu80]

Hi!

I too had trouble making A1000 keyboard to work on newer Amiga (CDTV in that case) I even managed to burn A1000 keyboard timer chip (replaced with new one), but I made keyboard from broken A500 to fit A1000 succesfully, so may I suggest this, but ofcourse substitute A1000 pinout to A2000 --->

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=3419

http://www.amiga.org/gallery/index.php?n=3424

But note that you have to remove one transistor in order to reset your big box Amiga from KB.

I just suspect that A1000 keyboard have incompatible controller chip with some Amigas, but I may be wrong.

You have looked at these pinouts? -->

http://old.pinouts.ru/Inputs/KeyboardAmiga5_pinout.shtml

Btw, I have few brand new (ok, new old stock) A2000 keyboards with German layout, I could consider selling one if interested to pay for shipping and stuff.

[ChaosLord]

I'm a DIY type of person and don't feel like spending $40 for a ps2 adapter or a2000 keyboard and wait for it to arrive from fleabay.

I never ever recommend anyone to get anything from fleabay ever.  They are owned by the criminal enterprise that owns PayPal so I never ever recommend such a transaction if there is any way to avoid it.

You can get all your Amiga related hardwares from Amigakit.com.  For all I know they have an A1000 keyboard adapter.  You should look around their store.

Also, using my plan from the previous message you would still be doing it yourself because you would need to install the O-rings (or pads) under each key to prevent damaging your hands.

I don't know of any way to cushion A1000 keyboards.  I was actually researching it just a bit with another fellow when my puter blew up and I was off the net for a while.  

You can also save some $ installing the keycaps on a new keyboard yourself.  It actually takes some time and work to do it.  Its more than a 15 minute job.

Another thing u can do, since you are a DIY kinda guy who can solder:
You can buy a keyboard as I suggested, then buy some lube (make sure to get the right kinds) then you can desolder every switch from the keyboard, lube the switch then resolder it.  This way u end up with a LUXURIOUS keyboard that is very smooth to type on and its quieter too!

It was too much work for me so I payed a guy to do it all for me.  He is really good and practiced at it and does it on a regular basis and he does not charge much so I totally didn't mind it at all.  Now I have a super deluxe keyboard!

I am also working on installing padding on top of my keys.  That is yet more work I hafta pay someone to do.  And I need to get hold of Front printed keys and I have make a way to print on top of my padding on top of my keys.  So to really make the perfect keyboard is a really a LOT OF DIY.  The keyboard industry is totally completely corrupt and lazy and will never ever sell u a good keyboard willingly.  You simply have to do a ton of stuff yourself.

My ultimate keyboard is only like 25% finished now and its already way better than anything you can buy off the shelf.  When it is finished it should be 10x to 20x better than any commercially available keyboard.  DIY FTW!

[Iggy]

Cherry MX Red keyswitches are the only kind that make any sense.  I STRONGLY recommend u to install pads or O-rings under each key else u will destroy your hands and your life like I did.

I was leaning toward the brown switches.
I think I'd prefer these to the liear key switches.

[Iggy]

I never ever recommend anyone to get anything from fleabay ever.  They are owned by the criminal enterprise that owns PayPal so I never ever recommend such a transaction if there is any way to avoid it.

Harsh words.
As an Ebay seller and frequent buyer I' like to add my two cents.
I buy a lot of hardware on Ebay and virtually all of it has turned out to be a good value.
I even purchased an A2000 from a loal seller that I was able to get for $45.
I also buy video cards on Ebay for friends that want to use flashed PC cards in their Mac.

As long as you deal with a seller with good feedback, the item is warranted (with a return option), and the description of item is clear, its hard to lose.
Because if anyone tries to cheat  you you can ask for a chargeback.

Now Amiga hardware?
That is problematic on all seller forum.
But unlike Amibay, Ebay does offer buyer protection.
For some reason, scammers abound in the Amiga marketplace.

And as far as Paypal goes, I like anything Elon Musk comes up with. And their debit card allows me immediate access to the proceeds from my sale. It can even be used to withdrawl funds from my linked checking account (and the card is free)

[Ral-Clan]

Just a thought.  A1000 keyboards seem quite in demand these days.

You could probably sell your A1000 keyboard and make enough money to buy two or three A2000/3000/4000 keyboards or a PS/2 adapter plus have some money left over.

I'm a DIY'er myself, so I understand your desire to just make something work, but just thought that I'd point out there were a lot of A1000 owners out there looking for a proper keyboard for the machine.

[Iggy]

A2000 keyboard prices are pretty dear too.
While slightly more expensive, I like the lord's idea.

[ChaosLord]

I was leaning toward the brown switches.
I think I'd prefer these to the liear key switches.

Brown switches are not made for your benefit.

Brown switches are solely made to benefit the bank account of Cherry Gmbh.

Brown switches and blue switches have a force curve similar to that of those horrible antiergonomic rubberdome over membrane keyboards.  They force u to jam a bunch of wasted energy into the top of the stroke.  Then they pull away the resistance so your finger goes flying down into the bottom of the keyboard at excessive speed.  Velocity x Mass = Kinetic Energy.  All this kinetic engery SMASHES into the bottom of the keyboard, jarring your tendons and nerves and killing a few cells along your tendon sheath.  Now type millions of keystrokes a year, year after year after year and you WILL destroy your hands.  Its unavoidable.

When u get Tendonitis or RSI or CTS or whatever u end up getting I will be there to say "I told u so".  You were warned.

[Iggy]

A good source for a cheap A2000 keyboard (just ordered one myself).
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360607308260&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123