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blog:retro_keyboards [2019/05/07 10:48] – [PC-9801] john | blog:retro_keyboards [2020/05/09 12:18] (current) – [MSX] john | ||
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I have lots of old computers... ZX Spectrum, Atari, Amiga, BBC, MSX and more. One of the problems I have with them all is getting enough desk space to use them. Not a problem with old consoles; they can typically be put on a shelf with power and video and they' | I have lots of old computers... ZX Spectrum, Atari, Amiga, BBC, MSX and more. One of the problems I have with them all is getting enough desk space to use them. Not a problem with old consoles; they can typically be put on a shelf with power and video and they' | ||
- | This is a problem when you are being kicked out of your //man cave// in order to make room for // | + | To show the complexity of just how much stuff I have to fit together, here's a diagram I had to make when mapping out the connectivity... |
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | There' | ||
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+ | This is a problem | ||
So, one option is to add a remote keyboard, either PS/2 or USB, and switch them all through a KVM switch or similar. Fortunately most systems seem to have something like that available. | So, one option is to add a remote keyboard, either PS/2 or USB, and switch them all through a KVM switch or similar. Fortunately most systems seem to have something like that available. | ||
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This adapter fits in the original socket for the A1200 keyboard ribbon cable, therefore it is designed to be used when you remove the A1200 motherboard from the case and fit it in a tower. Works with standard AT or PS/2 keyboards (socket is AT type, but can be used with PS/2 by fitting a AT to mini-din adapter). | This adapter fits in the original socket for the A1200 keyboard ribbon cable, therefore it is designed to be used when you remove the A1200 motherboard from the case and fit it in a tower. Works with standard AT or PS/2 keyboards (socket is AT type, but can be used with PS/2 by fitting a AT to mini-din adapter). | ||
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+ | **MicroMys v3 PS2 Mouse Adaptor - discontinued** | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | Price: (in 2013) circa £20 | ||
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+ | Supplier: [[https:// | ||
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+ | I bought and fitted this MicroMys adaptor years ago when I tower-converted the Amiga 1200. It has worked well ever since. The modern replacement would be the v5 or v6 adaptor. | ||
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|CPC Wiki forum]] | |CPC Wiki forum]] | ||
- | This is an internal design that needs to be fitted over an existing chip as well as a few lines to be soldered to various points on the CPC motherboard. It's a DIY kit, essentially. No direct orders, so you have to register on the CPC Wiki forum and contact the designer on there. | + | This is an internal design that needs to be fitted over an existing chip as well as a few lines to be soldered to various points on the CPC motherboard. It's a DIY kit, essentially. No direct orders, so you have to register on the CPC Wiki forum and contact the designer on there. |
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+ | //Note: As of 2019, the developer is no longer making these available so there is no current off-the-shelf solution for the CPC or CPC+.// | ||
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- | ==== Atari ST/ | + | ==== Atari 8-bit family |
- | I don' | + | (600/ |
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+ | Don't own one of these (yet), but they are well catered for: | ||
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+ | **TransKey-II PC Keyboard Adapter** | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | Price: | ||
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+ | Supplier: [[https:// | ||
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+ | //"The TK-II Series of interfaces will allow you to connect a PS/2 compatible keyboard to an Atari 8-bit machine. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Atari ST/STe ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | To use on my Atari 520STe: | ||
**Eiffel PS/2 Keyboard Adapter** | **Eiffel PS/2 Keyboard Adapter** | ||
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+ | ==== Commodore VIC-20/ | ||
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+ | **C=Key Adapter** | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | Price: (in 2020) $6 (bare PCB) to $50 (fully built) | ||
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+ | Supplier: [[http:// | ||
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+ | Don't have one (yet), but this enables you to use a PS2 keyboard on a VIC20, C64 or C128. | ||
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+ | //" | ||
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+ | C=Key can be purchased in the following configurations: | ||
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+ | PCB Only: Bare circuit board | ||
+ | PCB + uC: PCB and programmed Atmel ATMEGA162, used for connecting CBM KB to PC (includes uC Crystal and trimming capacitors) | ||
+ | PCB + uC + Crosspoint Switch: Allows either configuration | ||
+ | Preconfigured kits for specific CBM models. | ||
+ | Full Kit: Adds resistors, diodes, and jumper blocks for correct operation and connectors for any configuration | ||
+ | Additional options include: | ||
+ | |||
+ | dual joystick connectors can be added, to allow CBM joystick operation on the PC. | ||
+ | Any kit can be ordered pre-assembled (please allow additional handling time)"// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
==== MSX ==== | ==== MSX ==== | ||
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{{: | {{: | ||
- | Price: (2019) £50 | + | Price: (2020) 60 Euro |
Supplier: [[http:// | Supplier: [[http:// | ||
Designer and supplier of lots of MSX devices, he also builds a PS/2 adapter that fits in one of the MSX cartridge connectors. Fortunately the MSX 2+ that I own has two such slots. Can only be bought via [[http:// | Designer and supplier of lots of MSX devices, he also builds a PS/2 adapter that fits in one of the MSX cartridge connectors. Fortunately the MSX 2+ that I own has two such slots. Can only be bought via [[http:// | ||
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+ | **MSX to PS2 Mouse Adaptor** | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | Price: (2019) £20 | ||
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+ | Supplier: KMTech, either on [[https:// | ||
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Supplier: [[https:// | Supplier: [[https:// | ||
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+ | **ClassicPC PC-9801 / PC-9821 to USB Mouse** | ||
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | Price: 9000 Yen (2019) | ||
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+ | Supplier: [[https:// | ||
**ClassicPC PC-9801 / PC-9821 to PS2 Keyboard** | **ClassicPC PC-9801 / PC-9821 to PS2 Keyboard** | ||
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Supplier: [[https:// | Supplier: [[https:// | ||
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+ | All of the ClassicPC Club PS2/USB adapters can be bought from their online [[https:// | ||
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This one technically isn't a PS/2 interface, but a all-in-one storage, interface, network and IO board. Amongst the things it can do is add a USB keyboard to the Spectrum (all models, including +2A and +3). I'm quite torn about getting one of these, since it seems it would work for keyboard without any problem, but it would certainly conflict with my existing +Divide CF card storage interface, and I'm loathe to throw that away when it works really nicely. | This one technically isn't a PS/2 interface, but a all-in-one storage, interface, network and IO board. Amongst the things it can do is add a USB keyboard to the Spectrum (all models, including +2A and +3). I'm quite torn about getting one of these, since it seems it would work for keyboard without any problem, but it would certainly conflict with my existing +Divide CF card storage interface, and I'm loathe to throw that away when it works really nicely. | ||
+ | I tried contacting the author of the project to discuss the keyboard functionality, | ||
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In short, it's very delicate, but only 8x 100Ohm resistors are needed (obviously the traces need to be cut for each one also). The //nicer// solution would be to connect each resistor to a multi-way switch so that the original, unaltered data path can be restored, if for example you decide to disconnect the external keyboard.... though I would guess it should still work when the external interface is removed. | In short, it's very delicate, but only 8x 100Ohm resistors are needed (obviously the traces need to be cut for each one also). The //nicer// solution would be to connect each resistor to a multi-way switch so that the original, unaltered data path can be restored, if for example you decide to disconnect the external keyboard.... though I would guess it should still work when the external interface is removed. | ||
- | A detailed diagram of which pins are needed to be altered is to follow below. | + | **Penguin PS2 Keyboard Interface** |
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+ | {{: | ||
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+ | Price: £15 | ||
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+ | Supplier: [[https:// | ||
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+ | //"ZX Spectrum 48/48+ PS2 keyboard adapter, based on https:// | ||
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+ | Technical details: | ||
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+ | NoWait version | ||
+ | Additional buttons F11,F12 | ||
+ | Reset - PrScr | ||
+ | CapsShift - Shift (works really as on PC!) | ||
+ | SymbolShift - Ctrl | ||
+ | NumLock changes cursor keys and space to Sinclair Joystik 2" | ||
+ | // | ||
+ | Note: this is another design that will not work on the +2A, +2B or +3 due to the way Amstrad redesigned the main board. This is again for 16K, 48K, 48K+, 128K and +2 models only. **I think I'm going to have to downgrade from the +3 to a +2 in order to get PS2 keyboard support....** |