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blog:msx_padial_kb [2020/06/21 16:47] – [Microsoft Internet Keyboard RT9443 UK layout] johnblog:msx_padial_kb [2022/01/20 12:11] (current) – john
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 There's too many differences in key layout for this to be a practical option - you'd either have to redraw lots of key caps, or remove the offending 'system freeze' keys for it to be worthwhile, and since this is a shared keyboard with other systems, I can't really do that. There's too many differences in key layout for this to be a practical option - you'd either have to redraw lots of key caps, or remove the offending 'system freeze' keys for it to be worthwhile, and since this is a shared keyboard with other systems, I can't really do that.
 +
 +Result? Not workable either; too many missing keys (e.g. a working backslash).
  
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 {{:blog:skb-109ln_fm_-_key_code_errors.jpg?660|}} {{:blog:skb-109ln_fm_-_key_code_errors.jpg?660|}}
  
-Using the Japanese keyboard layout is even worse than the the UK layout as the shift keys do not work as expected (variation of caps effects and symbol-shift type effects). There are also still variations in characters produced (for example, the //Yen// or //bar|pipe// key doesn't work). Again, it would work to a certain extent with rewritten keycaps, but since the current keycaps are fine for the NEC PC-98, that's not an option. This option is a dead horse.+Using the Japanese keyboard layout is even worse than the the UK layout as the shift keys do not work as expected (variation of caps effects and symbol-shift type effects). There are also still variations in characters produced (for example, the //Yen// or //bar|pipe// key doesn't work). Again, it would work to a certain extent with rewritten keycaps, but since the current keycaps are fine for the NEC PC-98, that's not an option.  
 + 
 +Result? This one isn't usable either, so I'll keep it purely for the PC-9821.
  
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   * @ - At-sign   * @ - At-sign
   * \ - backslash character   * \ - backslash character
 +
 +Result? Waste of time. This one goes in the bin.
  
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 The MSX forum reccomended the Microsoft RT9443 as a working model on the LP PS/2 interface. Next task is to try and track down one of them to test. The MSX forum reccomended the Microsoft RT9443 as a working model on the LP PS/2 interface. Next task is to try and track down one of them to test.
 +
 +It turns out that most people who are using the RT9443 keyboard have it in US layout. Rather than buy another keyboard and find I'm the first to try it (and it not work - since at a minimum the backslash key is in a different location!), I'm skipping the UK model and going straight to the US layout
 +
 +**[Update January 20th, 2022]** - Finally got my hands on a cheap UK layout of the above keyboard... result:
 +
 +{{:blog:ukrt9443_msx_kb.png?600|}}
 +
 +The backslash key *again does not work*.
 +
 +----
 +
 +===== Microsoft Internet Keyboard RT9443 US layout =====
 +
 +{{:blog:rt9443_us.png?600|}}
 +
 +As above, a reccomended keyboard from the [[https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/finding-a-working-keyboard-for-lp-ps2-interface|MSX.org forum]], the recommendation being:
 +
 +> This one (Microsoft RT9443) works flawless. It even passes the infamous Gradius test (flying to the left top of the screen while still being able to shoot).
 +
 +This keyboard is in US layout, as used by most others.
 +There's a video of the RT9443 keyboard in action with the keyboard interface here:
 +
 +{{youtube>p6xfF8zpi9Q?medium}}
 +
 +   * **Update: June 25th, 2020** - Found a cheap RT9443 on Ebay.com (shipping around ten times the price of the keyboard!).
 +   * **Update: July 7th, 2020** - Keyboard arrived
 +
 +Result: //It doesn't work//. Same issues as the previous keyboards - no backslash/Yen key, missing bracket keys etc. This is getting ridiculous!!!
 +
 +===== Dell RT7D20 UK layout =====
 +
 +**[Update January 2022]** - Tried this UK layout PS/2 keyboard which was new-in-box.
 +
 +{{:blog:dellps2uk.jpg?600|}}
 +
 +Result: similar to previous keyboards; no combination of keys can produce a backslash or Yen symbol. Other than that, it's a decent membrane PS/2 keyboard.
 +
 ====== Conclusion ====== ====== Conclusion ======
  
-Although it does work, I think there are too many //quirks// with the interface.+Although it does work, unless you can find a keyboard that can **absolutely** produce all needed characters (//with the problem being that there isn't any data anywhere about what works and what doesn't//), I think there are too many //quirks// with the interface.
  
 Honestly, I can't recommend this as a replacement keyboard for someone who will be doing a lot of typing (programming, for example) on the MSX. I guess it's good enough for occasional use or gaming (my intended use), but the hardcoded layout of the keys and the behaviour of the cartridge when you press an unmapped key(!) is a real issue in my opinion. Honestly, I can't recommend this as a replacement keyboard for someone who will be doing a lot of typing (programming, for example) on the MSX. I guess it's good enough for occasional use or gaming (my intended use), but the hardcoded layout of the keys and the behaviour of the cartridge when you press an unmapped key(!) is a real issue in my opinion.
  
 If there was the ability to reflash the cartridge with an alternate keyboard scancode configuration it would go a //long// way to resolving the above problems. If there was the ability to reflash the cartridge with an alternate keyboard scancode configuration it would go a //long// way to resolving the above problems.
  • blog/msx_padial_kb.1592754450.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2020/06/21 16:47
  • by john