Modern Keyboard to Compaq DeskPro 826?
Posted by ChainedPrometheus@reddit | vintagecomputing | View on Reddit | 34 comments
My new "distraction-free" computer for writing. I absolutely love it. Absolutely distracted... The only thing that's throwing me is the old keyboard. I cannot type comfortably on it and it's becoming an issue from both missing spacing from time to time and I dislike how large the keys are. I'm very picking about keyboard (I like magic keyboard and logi mx keys, for reference). Doesn't matter.
My question is, can I hook a modern USB C/USB A keyboard to a 5 pin din somehow? Most converters I am seeing looks like it's the opposite of what I need. Unless they work both ways? Is there a single cable I can get to achieve this?
Thanks.
Scoth42@reddit
If it's using a standard AT keyboard plug (which it probably is) then any PS/2 keyboard could be used with it with a simple passive AT to PS/2 adapter. There's various definitions of "modern" for PS/2 keyboard but they come in lots of shapes and sizes and ergonomics, and there are even still some new ones being made out there.
Otherwise your best option is going to be something like the HIDman that the other commenter mentioned. The basic model can be had for $50 in the US, it looks like, so if this is something you're using to make money with or generally contributes to your happiness then it's probably worth that.
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
I'll keep getting a ps/2 keyboard in mind if I can't find some sort of converter.
I looked up the Hidman and is out of stock...looking for another solution. I'm thinking maybe a KVM will do...I hope.
Scoth42@reddit
They look to be in stock here, if you're in the US:
www.retrohackshack.com/product/hidman-usb-keyboard-converter/
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
I was looking at the wrong page...
Thanks!
Consistent_Cat7541@reddit
You may need to hunt down an ISA card that has PS2 ports on it so you can then use a USB to PS2 adapter. I strongly suggest you just load the DOS word processor of choice into a virtual machine.
Niphoria@reddit
emulation is garbage and only to be used for simple testing at best.
Consistent_Cat7541@reddit
hahaha. You may want to tell all the people (and corporations) that use virtual machines every day.
Niphoria@reddit
A ton of people use virtual machines and I never said anything against that fact.
Still we are a vintage computing subreddit and not vintage emulation subreddit.
Consistent_Cat7541@reddit
Yep. But OP is asking for ways to use modern devices with a very old computer. So alternative modern options are viable answers, given the expense involved in making a new keyboard work with such an old computer.
Niphoria@reddit
You could get a simple USB to PS2 adapter but hey - let's just stop using a working machine.
Consistent_Cat7541@reddit
that machine predates PS2.
Niphoria@reddit
It doesn't predate AT and ps2 is backwards compatible with the AT DIN-5 standard that was introduced with the IBM AT (286)
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
Really? So I don't need an active adapter?
I found a KVM I planned on using with some adapters...hope it works.
And if all I need is passive, I can return what I don't need, I suppose.
Niphoria@reddit
You need an active adapter going from USB to PS/2
Going from PS/2 to DIN 5 AT requires just a passive adapter.
What CPU does your machine have just to make sure?
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
Okay. Hopefully this Avocent works.
As far as CPU, I tried looking at my photos from when I opened it. I'm not seeing anything that tells me what it is exactly.
I was assured it was 1985-1986 with everything original. Not sure if that helps.
Niphoria@reddit
Yeah it should be working then.
Consistent_Cat7541@reddit
The Compaq Deskpro 286 was a peer computer to the PC XT and PC AT. The PS2 ports came later with... the PS2 line. For those of us who were alive at the time, even after the PS2 came out, the port did not exist as an option at all for non-IBM hardware for a period of years.
Whether PS2 is backwards compatible to whatever is on the back of a Compaq Deskpro is debatable.
OP wants a solution to hook up a tiny little keyboard to a machine with 5.25" floppy drives and ISA slots. Given the age of the computer, OP is better off using a virtual machine if OP is set on using a DOS word processor.
Niphoria@reddit
You did not read my comment correctly.
PS2 is passive adapter compatible with the AT standard design.
I use said passive adapter to hook up a standard ps2 keyboard to my IBM 286
Tall-Introduction414@reddit
Virtualization is not emulation.
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
Nah. The whole point is to get away from any distractions. Though I took a photo playing a text game, I've been getting the writing hours in, keeping my main monitor turned off. It's a nice way to write (Word 5.5).
But I'll stick with the clunky keyboard if I can't make a modern work.
Not to mention, I'm in love with the amber monitor. Text mode on this machine, paired with the monitor, is perfect.
syrtran@reddit
IF (very big IF) Compaq used a standard AT port, you might be able to string a USB to PS/2 adapter into a PS/2 to AT adapter. No guarantees.
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
Has a 5 pin din. And I'm pretty sure it's AT. I have a few adapters en route. Crossing fingers.
ravensholt@reddit
Is that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy? or what game is that?
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
It is! Much more difficult thatI thought it would be.
Wells1632@reddit
I would say it is, right at the beginning of the game.
Tall-Introduction414@reddit
There are some forum posts which state that the Deskpro 286 uses the XT (not AT) keyboard protocol. So, you need either an XT keyboard (Like an IBM-XT Model F), or a USB to XT keyboard adapter.
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
That's odd. The seller (avid collector) was certain about it this model being XT.
Also, I made a typo in the title *Compaq Deskpro 286
Tall-Introduction414@reddit
That's.. what I said. But I am not 100% sure. I think it is either AT protocol, or XT.
If you have an AT keyboard handy, you could test it. It is possible that the machine is an AT clone, but still uses the XT keyboard protocol.
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
Sorry, that was a typo.
Seller said it was an AT.
Tall-Introduction414@reddit
The computer was a clone of the IBM-PC/AT, so it's very possible that it uses the AT keyboard protocol.
Computers used AT keyboards for a long time (through the 286, 386, 486 and some Pentium eras), so finding a dirt cheap AT keyboard for testing shouldn't be too tricky. A lot of them (the cheap Taiwan-made ones from the 90s) even have little XT/AT switches at the bottom.
There is a service manual for this computer which describes the keyboard protocol in detail (chapter 8). It doesn't seem to say if it's XT or AT, though. Theoretically you could do some low level comparisons.
Actually, I think it's more likely AT than XT protocol.
MetaPhalanges@reddit
Typing be damned, can you brain your enemies with a modern keyboard? What if someone sneaks up on you while you're in the zone over here all distraction free?
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
Good point.
Niphoria@reddit
https://github.com/rasteri/HIDman
ChainedPrometheus@reddit (OP)
I saw these! Sold out though.