Old keyboards are great, like the Model M, when you have good keyboard to use on your retro AT system you probably what yo stick with it, but...
Does anyone know if there are converters that allow you to connect a modern USB keyboard to an AT style (5 pin) connector?
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wrote:There are. http://www.vetra.com/327Utext.html […]
There are.
http://www.vetra.com/327Utext.html
Nah, these are all PS/2. I'm talking about old school AT keyboard connectors. You can go USB > PS/2 > 5 pin but I'm trying to cut out the PS/2 connector...
The one on the right:
If you have a dual-mode USB+PS/2 keyboard (i.e. one that works as PS/2 with a PASSIVE adapter with no circuitry), you can literally cut the USB connector off & solder on an AT 5-pin DIN. I've done it.
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Most modern USB keyboards are moving to USB HID signalling only. This requires an active converter as linked above instead of those USB to PS/2 passive converters.
Your best option would probably be to get a USB to PS/2 converter and hack the PS/2 end for the keyboard into an AT style DIN plug. Of course, the passive adapter takes care of that issue without any cutting required.
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