blog:retro_keyboards

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blog:retro_keyboards [2019/05/07 10:53] – [PC-9801] johnblog: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'll just work, of course with a computer you generally need enough space to have the keyboard in front of your. 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'll just work, of course with a computer you generally need enough space to have the keyboard in front of your.
  
-This is a problem when you are being kicked out of your //man cave// in order to make room for //children//.+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... 
 + 
 +{{:blog:av_logical_connections.png?400|}} 
 + 
 +There's just no way I can afford to have 10 or more keyboards on the desk, so they have to be put on shelves out of the way. 
 + 
 +This is a problem you need to solve when you are being kicked out of your //man cave// in order to make room for //children//.
  
 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).
 +
 +
 +**MicroMys v3 PS2 Mouse Adaptor - discontinued**
 +
 +{{:blog:micromys.jpg?200|}}
 +
 +Price: (in 2013) circa £20
 +
 +Supplier: [[https://www.vesalia.de/e_micromys.htm|Vesalia]]
 +
 +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.  
 + 
 +//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+.// 
 + 
 + 
 +---- 
 + 
 +==== Atari 8-bit family ==== 
 + 
 +(600/800/1200/XE/XL/XEGS) 
 + 
 +Don't own one of these (yet), but they are well catered for: 
 + 
 +**TransKey-II PC Keyboard Adapter** 
 + 
 +{{:blog:tk-ii-pb-r-top_1_orig_370x.jpg?200|}} 
 + 
 +Price:  (in 2020) $45 
 + 
 +Supplier: [[https://thebrewingacademy.com/products/tkii-ps-2-keyboard-piggyback-replacement|The Brewing Academy]] 
 + 
 +//"The TK-II Series of  interfaces will allow you to connect a PS/2 compatible keyboard to an Atari 8-bit machine.  A new generation of PS/2 keyboard adapter boards allowing simultaneous dual PS/2 keyboards when combined with a Y-Splitter Cable*.  It's designed to take over the duties of the stock keyboard in any Atari 8-Bit computer system. Giving you the flexibility and choice inherent in a multitude of PS/2 keyboards available on the open market. The TK-II can either take over completely, as is the case for the TK-II-GS model (XEGS only), or serve as an adjunct to the original stock keyboard, allowing both to work in concert. No matter which one you pick, all of the TK-II PS/2 keyboard adapters possess the same feature set and capabilities, with the only real difference being the way in which the board is meant to be installed.  The ​Transkey board uses an embedded processor chip made by Microchip called a PIC, which runs a program that translates the PS/2 keyboard's serialized binary language into what the Atari's Pokey chip thinks are key presses emanating from the stock matrixed keyboard.  You can use keyboard macros!  All of your keys can be mapped to the external full size keyboard. For an XEGS, there is no modification required unless you want the four system switches (START, OPTION, SELECT, RESET) to be routed to the external keyboard"//
  
 ---- ----
  
-==== Atari ST/STFM/STE/Mega ST ====+==== Atari ST/STe ====
  
-I don't currently own any of these, but I intend to get one in the near future. Apart from the uncommon Mega ST, these are an all-in-one design like the Amiga, so need a remote keyboard adding if I'm to stack one on my shelf.+To use on my Atari 520STe:
  
 **Eiffel PS/2 Keyboard Adapter** **Eiffel PS/2 Keyboard Adapter**
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 ---- ----
  
 +==== Commodore VIC-20/C64/C128 ====
 +
 +**C=Key Adapter**
 +
 +{{:blog:img_3544_59017.1323682216.1280.1280.jpeg?200|}}
 +
 +Price: (in 2020) $6 (bare PCB) to $50 (fully built)
 +
 +Supplier: [[http://store.go4retro.com/c-key-keyboard-adapter/|go4retro Store]]
 +
 +Don't have one (yet), but this enables you to use a PS2 keyboard on a VIC20, C64 or C128.
 +
 +//"Depending on configuration, C=Key offers VIC-20, C64, C64C, SX64, C128, C128D, and C128DCR owners the ability to either use their CBM keyboard with a PS/2 supported PC, or utilize a PS/2 keyboard on their Commodore machine.  In either usage, multiple keyboard mappings are supported, to handle keyboard differences and application preferences.  No drivers or programming are required for operation.
 +
 +C=Key can be purchased in the following configurations:
 +
 +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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 {{:blog:lpe-pckf-v6kp-20-04-2016.jpg?200|}} {{:blog:lpe-pckf-v6kp-20-04-2016.jpg?200|}}
  
-Price: (2019) £50+Price: (2020) 60 Euro
  
 Supplier: [[http://msx.deneb.nl/page4.HTM|Padial Hardware]] Supplier: [[http://msx.deneb.nl/page4.HTM|Padial Hardware]]
  
 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://msx.deneb.nl/page6.HTM|Postal Order or bank transfer]]. 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://msx.deneb.nl/page6.HTM|Postal Order or bank transfer]].
 +
 +**MSX to PS2 Mouse Adaptor**
 +
 +{{:blog:41ngcz7rvll.jpg?200|}}
 +
 +Price: (2019) £20
 +
 +Supplier: KMTech, either on [[https://www.ebay.com/usr/kevinmount?_trksid=p2047675.l2559|Ebay]], or [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/KMTech-adapter-Roland-optical-wireless/dp/B00TIO8HXG|Amazon]].
  
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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, but got no response. Looking in to the technical documentation a little deeper it seems that it has PS2 //mouse// support only.
  
  
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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** 
 + 
 +{{:blog:penguin.png?200|}} 
 + 
 +Price: £15 
 + 
 +Supplier: [[https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=284|Lotharek.pl]] 
 + 
 +//"ZX Spectrum 48/48+ PS2 keyboard adapter, based on https://www.avray.ru/zx-spectrum-ps2-keyboard/ 
 + 
 +Technical details: 
 + 
 +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....**
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  • Last modified: 2019/05/07 10:53
  • by john