Reply 29920 of 30765, by Thermalwrong
chrismeyer6 wrote on 2025-07-28, 13:58:Thermalwrong wrote on 2025-07-28, 13:53:Wahoo Vogons is back :) I was concerned that it might have been caused by the age verification stuff going on in the UK but perh […]
Wahoo Vogons is back 😀 I was concerned that it might have been caused by the age verification stuff going on in the UK but perhaps it was a hosting problem?
Uh, I modified one of my Toshiba Libretto 50CT to have a way to hook up a PS/2 mouse directly without the port replicator - using a USB port for USB mice that are compatible with PS/2 signalling. Since I've done this using the port replicator previously this time I wanted it to be inside the case and using a CF card for storage and a custom caddy, the plan is to have a USB port mounted in the 3d printed HDD caddy with a hole in the also 3d printed HDD cover.
First thing was tracing the signals back from the port replicator connector:Not sure if the ground I've selected is an analogue ground for the sound chip or a main one but it works.
The casing is so tight that wires can't fit from the topside of the board into the underside where the hard drive fits though, so I used this flat flex cable that I'd salvaged off something instead.
How the wiring works is the mouse data and clock go into the corners of the Toshiba 471HP chip which afaik is the combo mouse and keyboard controller. But the pull up resistors and inductors / ferrite bead that the signals need would normally be inside the port replicator, so it's necessary to put those in here as well.
There are 10k resistors soldered directly to the points for mouse clock and mouse data with a 30AWG wire-wrapping wire running from each to the 5v source. Then there's a separate wire with the 600 ohm ferrite bead (what I have available) connected in line to the flat flex connector and awkwardly these had to be flipped around to match the pinout for a PS/2 to USB adapter.Careful application of kapton tape to stop it all shorting out. Should still be able to fit the memory expansion board.
Now to re-design the HDD caddy 3d model to accomodate a USB port mounting so it can all fit flush 😀
It worked first time and the libretto is way more fun to use with a real mouse.The Hosting company Linode had major Data Center issues after some really bad storms came through North Jersey and New York the other night.
Ah I had no idea, thank you for the info 😀
Kahenraz wrote on 2025-07-28, 17:31:Thermalwrong wrote on 2025-07-28, 13:53:Wahoo Vogons is back :) I was concerned that it might have been caused by the age verification stuff going on in the UK but perh […]
Wahoo Vogons is back 😀 I was concerned that it might have been caused by the age verification stuff going on in the UK but perhaps it was a hosting problem?
Uh, I modified one of my Toshiba Libretto 50CT to have a way to hook up a PS/2 mouse directly without the port replicator - using a USB port for USB mice that are compatible with PS/2 signalling. Since I've done this using the port replicator previously this time I wanted it to be inside the case and using a CF card for storage and a custom caddy, the plan is to have a USB port mounted in the 3d printed HDD caddy with a hole in the also 3d printed HDD cover.
First thing was tracing the signals back from the port replicator connector:Not sure if the ground I've selected is an analogue ground for the sound chip or a main one but it works.
The casing is so tight that wires can't fit from the topside of the board into the underside where the hard drive fits though, so I used this flat flex cable that I'd salvaged off something instead.
How the wiring works is the mouse data and clock go into the corners of the Toshiba 471HP chip which afaik is the combo mouse and keyboard controller. But the pull up resistors and inductors / ferrite bead that the signals need would normally be inside the port replicator, so it's necessary to put those in here as well.
There are 10k resistors soldered directly to the points for mouse clock and mouse data with a 30AWG wire-wrapping wire running from each to the 5v source. Then there's a separate wire with the 600 ohm ferrite bead (what I have available) connected in line to the flat flex connector and awkwardly these had to be flipped around to match the pinout for a PS/2 to USB adapter.Careful application of kapton tape to stop it all shorting out. Should still be able to fit the memory expansion board.
Now to re-design the HDD caddy 3d model to accomodate a USB port mounting so it can all fit flush 😀
It worked first time and the libretto is way more fun to use with a real mouse.I don't see the ferrite bead in the photo. Is it strictly necessary?
They're the little SMD ferrite beads in line with the clock and data pins where it solders onto the flat flex cable. They're not strictly necessary since my previous build in the dock just used pull-up resistors and it's always worked well, but most ps/2 implementations I've seen do use them and although I can't find the pictures I took a few years back, I'm pretty sure the libretto's dock with the PS/2 ports used ferrite beads inline to filter interference.
