PS/2 keyboard

[jgalinat]

Hi, I completed my S-132 over the weekend and it definitely is cool! However, what had me stumped initially was keyboard input was not working. I tried 6 different USB keyboards and only one worked but unfortunately that one has several flaky keys. From reading the discussions, I see that I am not the only one that had problems finding a compatible USB KB.
I do have several PS/2 keyboards along with the proper PS/2 connector for the PCB. I am thinking of removing the USB HID PCB and just soldering in the PS/2 connector. I read the BOM and build instructions and didn’t see any configuration changes but I wanted to check with other builders first.
I can’t see buying another USB KB that may or not work.
Thank you for any advice you can provide.
regards,
Jeff Galinat

[jgalinat]

Problem solved for the time being. I did another search through my stash and found a good keyboard that works with the S-132. I would still appreciate an answer on my original post if anyone knows regarding adding a PS/2 connector just in case I ever have to go that route.

[dmcnaugh]

Jeff,
I'm glad you found a compatible keyboard in your collection.
Although this is a topic a few people have posted about I would not call it a common problem. There are hundreds of people running VT-132 and S-132 kits with this USB-HID keyboard adapter that have not had any problems. The few people that have had a problem have posted about it.

What makes a keyboard incompatible is if it has a built-in USB hub, or typically, keyboards with additional keys for things like dedicated multimedia controls or system controls (on/off/standby etc...) as this usually implies an internal hub to seperate the standard USB keyboard interface and the additional controls.

I was surprised to hear you has a series of failures, so it would be useful if you could email with details of each keyboard that didn't work so I can see if I can figure it out.

But the general rule is: the simpler (and often cheaper) the USB keyboard the better. The $12 USB wired or $24 wireless keyboard from Staples is a good measure.

In answer to your question RE: PS/2 connector the answer is YES. If you remove the USB-HID interface (red daughter PCB) and solder in the 2 x 120 ohm, 2 x 2K ohm and PS/2 keyboard connector then it will just work. The firmware detects the keyboard type at startup.
NOTE: you are just as likely to have keyboard compatibility issues if you try to use a passive USB->PS/2 connector with this. A keyboard with an actual PS/2 plug on it should always work, but not all USB keyboards are able to interface with a PS/2 connector with a passive adapter.

[jgalinat]

Hi David,
Thanks for the reply & info on the PS/2 interface. I had read a post by John (GrantMeStrength) than had mentioned that keyboards with hubs probably wouldn’t work. I did have 3 with hubs so I tried them anyway and as I anticipated, they did not work. I then tried a Lenovo SK-8825 and a Dell SK-8115 which are both pretty basic keyboards (i.e no hubs or multimedia keys) and they also didn’t work. The first one that worked was a cheap Softkey flexible rubber keyboard designed for harsh environments. The trouble with that KB was some of the keys were flaky. I then found a Havit AS-2188 compact KB that worked fine. One thing I noticed was on the working KBs was the LEDs blinked on power up while on the non working KBs there was no LED activity.

All the PS/2 keyboards I have are true PS/2 interface with no adapters.

I have posted pictures of the Lenovo & Dell KBs that didn’t work along with the Softkey and Havit KBs that did work.

[jgalinat]

Well, I made my weekly trip to my local electronics surplus store with with adjacent new electronics store. I had made the trip for the surplus store but I went next door and found a cheap $10 USB KB. Just like others said, the cheaper KBs work well and this one worked fine for the S-132.

[jgalinat]

Thanks for the help. Closing the topic.