Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 09:28
More pics of the same keyboard from the last time he tried to flip it: https://imgur.com/a/BVB0q
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Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 10:49
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 10:55
... and it's another one of those with DIP switches — See https://i.imgur.com/cEN0NJs.jpg.Khers wrote:More pics of the same keyboard from the last time he tried to flip it: https://imgur.com/a/BVB0q
I gotta ask: some [M|F]122 and Unsavers have 'em and I don't know what they are for. What do they do? Is there any surviving documentation about it?
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 11:10
What our wiki page does tell us is what terminals these were for so you could probably find out in IBM's online archives, mine looks the same:IBM 104-key Model F Keyboards
The 104-key Model F was a less common variant of the 122-key terminal keyboard without a numeric keypad. It was primarily associated with two types of IBM terminal – the IBM 5085 Graphics Display (part number 6016730), and the IBM 3290 Display Station (part number 1387033). The variant for the 5085 had a speaker two D-SUB connectors at the back – one to connector to the terminal, and the other to interface with other peripherals for the 5085. The 3290 variant used the regular 240-degree DIN-5 connector seen on most IBM terminals of the time and lacked a speaker.
- IMG_20170428_183626.jpg (966.19 KiB) Viewed 6914 times
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 11:50
What is that?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOBLE-Multi-la ... 2548060905
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOBLE-Multi-la ... 2548060905
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 12:39
Looks like something spring-over-membrane.
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 13:35
When I have encountered DIP switches on Model Fs, I have simply removed them (either unplug them, or taken them out altogether) and with never had a problem.
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 13:42
From the layout it looks like the keyboard of an MSX computer. Many of these had ALPS integrated dome switches AFAIK.
EDIT: Didn't notice the sliders on the side of the keycaps - so I'm probably wrong.
Posted: 14 Dec 2017, 23:47
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 02:46
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 09:14
It is!!
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 09:30
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 15:13
Re: Great/Interesting Finds
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 15:21
Well that's interesting. I guess it's just the add-on on international APL keys?
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 15:45
Indeed it is. You'd need the base APL keycap set first.
Posted: 15 Dec 2017, 15:57
Oh, I remembered now, he was asking for like 1500euro or something crazy like that. (which is not that crazy now given the unforgettable auction of that 2Ksaver)Khers wrote:More pics of the same keyboard from the last time he tried to flip it: https://imgur.com/a/BVB0q
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 00:23
I saw this Avant Prime today: https://www.ebay.com/itm/122854520294
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 00:55
From what I've gathered, avant prime boards are basically a lesser quality northgate omnikey. The couple that I've seen torn down have had their mounting plates glued to their PCBs, making it impossible to do any kind of plate restoration. It also (I think) exclusively comes with simplified alps. You should be able to do a switch transplant in one, though. Even though the plate is attached to the PCB, you can still desolder switches and replace them with something better.stormbourne wrote: I saw this Avant Prime today: https://www.ebay.com/itm/122854520294
In any case, $185 is pretty steep, even for an omnikey. Can an avant prime be fully reprogrammed?
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 04:18
I believe you've gathered correctly.//gainsborough wrote:
From what I've gathered, avant prime boards are basically a lesser quality northgate omnikey. The couple that I've seen torn down have had their mounting plates glued to their PCBs, making it impossible to do any kind of plate restoration. It also (I think) exclusively comes with simplified alps. You should be able to do a switch transplant in one, though. Even though the plate is attached to the PCB, you can still desolder switches and replace them with something better.
In any case, $185 is pretty steep, even for an omnikey. Can an avant prime be fully reprogrammed?
The Avant Prime was the successor to the Northgate Omnikey 101, but with a few important differences. But a disclaimer first, because we can not assume that all Avant keyboards were the same, any more than we can assume that all Northgate Omnikey keyboards were the same. The switches were indeed simplified Alps, at least in all the examples I've seen. The Avant keycaps were usually pad printed with a clear coat, rather than the double shots that came on the Northgates. That's visible in the closeups on this one, but it's interesting that this example has neatly done clear coating, rather than the looks-like-hand-painted blobs seen on some Avants. The layout is also different than the Omnikey 101, most notably the Avant having a BAE rather than an ANSI enter key. (Some late Omnikeys had a BAE and windows keys also...) The LED window on the up-arrow key (and non-clicky switch there) indicates this is a programmable model. I believe all Avants (and a few late Omnikeys) came that way. I don't know if the Avants are subject to the same programming chip failure as the late Northgates. My Avant Stellar still has its original programming instruction sticker across the top. I can take a photo of that if it would help anyone.
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 04:36
Here is a great alternative to the avant prime, though!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112685949647?_ ... .S1.R1.TR7
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112685949647?_ ... .S1.R1.TR7
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 04:38
oh woah, i didn't know that! Okay so then maybe there is more to the avant prime than I originally thought. if it's fully reprogrammable that's pretty nifty!Polecat wrote: The LED window on the up-arrow key (and non-clicky switch there) indicates this is a programmable model. I believe all Avants (and a few late Omnikeys) came that way. I don't know if the Avants are subject to the same programming chip failure as the late Northgates. My Avant Stellar still has its original programming instruction sticker across the top. I can take a photo of that if it would help anyone.
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 05:34
here's an ultra without a badge and a broken key: https://www.ebay.com/itm/132436252254/
Might be able to talk the seller down on that one. easy fix, too.
Might be able to talk the seller down on that one. easy fix, too.
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 06:39
Nice instruction page on programming an Avant:
http://www.lemis.com/grog/HOWTO/Avant-Stellar.php
That's what I call a Gen2 Northgate. Dipswitches on the back edge, and smaller case than the Gen3. That particular example has the ADB connectors as well as PS/2.Here is a great alternative to the avant prime, though!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/112685949647?_....S1.R1.TR7
That one's a Gen3, big case, dipswitches under the door on the top left corner. But before winkeys or the LED window in the up-arrow.here's an ultra without a badge and a broken key: https://www.ebay.com/itm/132436252254/
Might be able to talk the seller down on that one. easy fix, too.
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 07:18
Nice that a couple of these have survived. In the surplus biz back in the '90s we literally filled dumpsters with XT/AT layout keyboards. We couldn't give them away, not even to the recyclers, once the 101 layouts became available. Jameco was a customer of ours, and started out selling chips and other components by mail order. I remember when they branched out into computer parts, but I had never seen their name on a keyboard until now. Interesting that they chose Monterey as their supplier. I guess we would call this one a Monterey Model K2AX?Elrick wrote: That's the exact same model I have but mine is NIB. Pilfered from my second job, working for a tight-arse, all too happy forcing me to work extra hours without pay, this keyboard was my part payment in the end.
F#CK you Mr. Schiller.
YES, the blue ALPs are extremely nice to type on although the freaky layout sux, compared to the standard US ANSI which I'm use to now.
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 11:05
Not sure if this is worthy, but cheap and could these be space invaders?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AST-Numeric-St ... 2949701326
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AST-Numeric-St ... 2949701326
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 15:09
Only 3 hours left on this Leopold Topre:
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/TOPRE-Leopold-FC ... 1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/TOPRE-Leopold-FC ... 1438.l2649
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 15:56
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 19:07
I got that, interested in trying topre.Starck wrote: Only 3 hours left on this Leopold Topre:
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/TOPRE-Leopold-FC ... 1438.l2649
The seller says it's like new, has it for 2 months but did not used it, as it was won and he already has one the gray version.
My question is, does it worth it and could I recover the 140Eur if I don't like it ? (Board+shipping)
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 20:39
It's worth it all right, if you happen to like it is another thing. You'll be able to resell that if you need to.AdrianMan wrote:I got that, interested in trying topre.Starck wrote: Only 3 hours left on this Leopold Topre:
http://www.ebay.nl/itm/TOPRE-Leopold-FC ... 1438.l2649
The seller says it's like new, has it for 2 months but did not used it, as it was won and he already has one the gray version.
My question is, does it worth it and could I recover the 140Eur if I don't like it ? (Board+shipping)
I sure like it: keyboards-f2/leopold-fc980c-t16604.html?hilit=FC980C
Posted: 16 Dec 2017, 22:12
Thank you 