Looks fantastic. I took possession of my adapter yesterday. and the build quality is great - apart from there is one area that *will* fail first.
The cable input to the mini rj connector does not have any support (IE the black plastic sheath is not being held securely.) I have used some modelling putty (that hardens) to provide a bit more strength in this area. Perhaps a female ps2 socket in the adapter, and a male > male ps2 cable would have been simpler and offered the easy option to replace the cable should it get damaged?

If you make more in future it 'might' be worth considering, and it would save you a *lot* of making up cables.

😀

Pierre32 wrote on 2021-09-16, 08:53:

On the laptop thing, perhaps the user doesn't even need to know about the magic. As long as they know they can just plug it into a laptop.

There should be a PS/2 device telling the host "Hello, I'm a keyboard". Otherwise it won't work or be detected as a mouse and work weirdly.
What I do is free you from carrying a hardware keyboard everywhere with your retro-laptop.

arthur071169 wrote on 2021-09-16, 08:57:

... there is one area that *will* fail first.
The cable input to the mini rj connector does not have any support (IE the black plastic sheath is not being held securely.) I have used some modelling putty (that hardens) to provide a bit more strength in this area. Perhaps a female ps2 socket in the adapter, and a male > male ps2 cable would have been simpler and offered the easy option to replace the cable should it get damaged?

I know of the issue. It due to the wire turning out too thick - the narrower wire should have sat inside more firmly.
I yanked my prototype cable really hard - the wires elongate, but don't break. I am more worried about the other thing - somebody shall definitely step on the RJ11 jack and break its snap knob, making the cable unable to be secured to the device. In such case, I'll advice asking the nearest network specialist to re-crimp the wire for a couple of bucks as follows:

Two female PS/2 connectors on the device is out of the question, as:
1. It shall be too confusing for the user, and
2. Male-to-Male Mini-DIN-6 wires cost like US$15 a piece, making it the most expensive part of the kit.

Might be worth adding the above picture / wiring diagram to the manual for 'tech' reference?

Very nice manual. However, I'm a little confused about section 5. I think that icon is indicating that scroll lock is turned on? Honestly, could not tell what it was (figured out from context of the next section), but I think that's just my Irlen Syndrome acting up and maybe other people can tell what it is just fine. So, have Scroll Lock on, then hold Shift and hit one of the preset numbers? Then just start assigning buttons?

arthur071169 wrote on 2021-09-16, 09:41:

Might be worth adding the above picture / wiring diagram to the manual for 'tech' reference?

Don't have an idea how to do what with black and white print. What I've done is stick the manual and wire schematic to the intro message of the tread.

weedeewee wrote on 2021-09-16, 08:19:

I have to guess at what is meant by the " no keyboard , laptop+gamepad (keyboard emulated) " laptop icon.

Changed the wording to "Laptop + gamepad (device acts as keyboard)". Hope it's less cryptic.

Kyosho wrote on 2021-09-16, 16:00:

Very nice manual. However, I'm a little confused about section 5. I think that icon is indicating that scroll lock is turned on? Honestly, could not tell what it was (figured out from context of the next section), but I think that's just my Irlen Syndrome acting up and maybe other people can tell what it is just fine. So, have Scroll Lock on, then hold Shift and hit one of the preset numbers? Then just start assigning buttons?

Changing presets from keyboard was sort of an afterthought (after I accidentally found out that Sega 3-button gamepad has no "Mode" button), and it shows.
The device "listens" to keyboard only when Scroll Lock is lit (also gamepads stop working when Scroll Lock is on).
So when you wish to change your preset form keyboard, you:

1. Turn on Scroll Lock;
2. Press Shift + Preset No. (0-6);
3. (You may redefine the keys of the Preset you've chosen, if you'd like to. If you remember your assignment being OK - skip this step);
4. Turn off Scroll Lock - you'll stay in the preset that you've chosen, and gamepads shall start working again.

Excellent. Thanks for clearing that up! So here's a question that would take 2 seconds for me to figure out once mine gets here (it has made it stateside, so c'mon USPS, you can do it!) but I'm curious anyway. When Scroll Lock is not on, does the keyboard still work? Specifically in desktop daisy-chain mode, not laptop. Obviously the laptop's keyboard would still work. For those games where the crazy developers used as many keyboard keys as they possibly could find ingame uses for.

Kyosho wrote on 2021-09-16, 16:44:

Excellent. Thanks for clearing that up! So here's a question that would take 2 seconds for me to figure out once mine gets here (it has made it stateside, so c'mon USPS, you can do it!) but I'm curious anyway. When Scroll Lock is not on, does the keyboard still work? Specifically in desktop daisy-chain mode, not laptop. Obviously the laptop's keyboard would still work. For those games where the crazy developers used as many keyboard keys as they possibly could find ingame uses for.

The idea of treating the hardware keyboard is:

1. Allow ALL keyboard communication to pass through;
2. Afterwards try to figure out what it was.

Each and every bit is delivered as such. The only thing I've added is Scroll Lock LED manipulation:

1. Scroll Lock will turn on even in games which don't support LED state change (so you could assign buttons even in such games).
2. When you successfully assign a gamepad button, Scroll Lock shall blink.
3. When you change preset from keyboard (Shift + Preset No. (0-6)), Scroll Lock shall also blink.

So no, my device won't ruin keyboard use, even through KVM.

Volo !

Here's another question....
With the laptop+gamepad setup...
Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboard or do you need an external keyboard for that ?

weedeewee wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:16:

Volo ! Here's another question.... With the laptop+gamepad setup... Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboa […]
Show full quote

Volo !
Here's another question....
With the laptop+gamepad setup...
Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboard or do you need an external keyboard for that ?

That's the Achilles' heel of the device: you absolutely need PS/2 keyboard to assign buttons.
You don't even need a computer (you may power the thing with a phone charger), but to assign keys, physical keyboard and gamepads are mandatory.
You may set all six presets at home, and than take your gaming laptop for a ride - that is why presets exist.

Coding special software for DOS is WAY above my expertise.

Volo wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:31:

That's the Achilles' heel of the device: you absolutely need PS/2 keyboard to assign buttons. You don't even need a computer (yo […]
Show full quote

weedeewee wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:16:

Volo ! Here's another question.... With the laptop+gamepad setup... Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboa […]
Show full quote

Volo !
Here's another question....
With the laptop+gamepad setup...
Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboard or do you need an external keyboard for that ?

That's the Achilles' heel of the device: you absolutely need PS/2 keyboard to assign buttons.
You don't even need a computer (you may power the thing with a phone charger), but to assign keys, physical keyboard and gamepads are mandatory.
You may set all six presets at home, and than take your gaming laptop for a ride - that is why presets exist.

Coding special software for DOS is WAY above my expertise.

Yeah... so? One will still need the external keyboard to switch between the presets ?

weedeewee wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:36:

Volo wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:31:

That's the Achilles' heel of the device: you absolutely need PS/2 keyboard to assign buttons. You don't even need a computer (yo […]
Show full quote

weedeewee wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:16:

Volo ! Here's another question.... With the laptop+gamepad setup... Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboa […]
Show full quote

Volo !
Here's another question....
With the laptop+gamepad setup...
Can you change the presets with the onboard laptop keyboard or do you need an external keyboard for that ?

That's the Achilles' heel of the device: you absolutely need PS/2 keyboard to assign buttons.
You don't even need a computer (you may power the thing with a phone charger), but to assign keys, physical keyboard and gamepads are mandatory.
You may set all six presets at home, and than take your gaming laptop for a ride - that is why presets exist.

Coding special software for DOS is WAY above my expertise.

Yeah... so? One will still need the external keyboard to switch between the presets ?

Not quite. You may also change presets directly from gamepads:

Volo wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:38:

Not quite. You may also change presets directly from gamepads: […]
Show full quote

Not quite. You may also change presets directly from gamepads:

👍

and now for complete nitpicking
What about the Sega 3-button gamepad in this case of no external keyboard ? 😋

also great job man !

weedeewee wrote on 2021-09-16, 18:50:

👍 […]
Show full quote

👍

and now for complete nitpicking
What about the Sega 3-button gamepad in this case of no external keyboard ? 😋

also great job man !

You are right, I've turned out to be a bit of a 6-button chauvinist.
Laptop users of 3-button SEGA controllers, Master System pads and Atari/Commodore joysticks shall have to set their preferable default preset and stick to it.
Even as it is (Space, L.Alt, L.CTrl) fits most side-scrollers (default layout of Duke 1&2 and Commander Keen) and shoot-em-ups (Tyrian and Raptor).

Better than no controller at all, but not as convenient as owning a 6-button pad.

If you've got your laptop in a bag, could always get one of these or these (or any other similar one) to throw in there with it. Problem solved. 😜

Edit: Oh, and it's great to hear the keyboard is still fully functional alongside the controller!

Volo, this looks great. I'll see what I can do to pay for your adapters. If not, I may wait a bit until (if?) you make them available later with different way of payment. Thanks!

As wireless controllers are available for sega and snes - any hope of supporting these?

Also, I use a wireless logitech keyboard on my dos setup.. which will also require powering.

Could the USB port be connected to give extra power?

I'm back from the seashore! By doggo has turned out to be a good swimmer (though Great Danes shouldn't be fond of water).
Resuming shipping.

kreats wrote on 2021-09-19, 15:58:

As wireless controllers are available for sega and snes - any hope of supporting these?

My device is fused to 200 mA (fuses are of resettable type, so there is no issue of permanently disabling your device). There is some leeway, but try not to overstress it.

Wireless adapters draw up to 100 mA - which is quite OK to use one (plus keyboard) with the device.
If your gamepads don't usually draw more that 75 mA - try using both, though fuses might start to act up.
If your motherboard PS/2 bus is fused to 100 mA (i.e. motherboards that don't like IBM Model M keyboards) - obviously you'll have to stick to wired controllers.
No risk of breaking anything. It either works or doesn't.

kreats wrote on 2021-09-19, 15:58:

Also, I use a wireless logitech keyboard on my dos setup.. which will also require powering.
Could the USB port be connected to give extra power?

DO NOT POWER THE DEVICE BOTH FROM PS/2 AND USB WALL CHARGER - YOU MAY FRY YOUR MOTHERBOARD! When you turn off your PC - your +5 bus shall be powered from the wall charger, which is dangerous for the motherboard.

When connected to USB and PS/2 to the same PC - the device becomes confused. You may try it - it is weird fun. But still, don't forget to unplug one of the wires prior turning off your PC.

So no, I'd recommend powering the wireless keyboard directly, bypassing my gizmo.

I hope you enjoyed your weekend getaway! ☺️

Arrived! It's a nice little unit. For the first test I figured Nesticle under DOS would be appropriate. It does what it says on the box. Just excellent. Thanks Volo 😀

I haven't messed around with presets yet, so there is plenty of experimentation to do. More controllers to test too.