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Replacement PS/2 cable for IBM Model M keyboard? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 2 months ago by SpiceDealer@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/retrocomputing@lemmy.sdf.org

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I was going through the attic and I found the Model M keyboard I bought a couple of years ago. The cable, though, has seen better days. Where can I buy a replacement cable?

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[–] SanctimoniousApe@lemmings.world 10 points 2 months ago

I'd just get an extension cable & get to soldering. Alternatively, install a converter so you can attach a USB cable.

[–] xyzzy@lemmy.today 3 points 2 months ago

If you actually just need a replacement PS/2 cable, it looks like eBay has them for sale.

Monoprice sells PS/2 to USB dongles.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Buy any recent(ish) keyboard with a PS/2 connector, remove it, and soldier it onto the Model M.

[–] billwashere@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

You could always go anachronistic and make it Bluetooth.

https://learn.adafruit.com/convert-your-model-m-keyboard-to-bluetooth-with-bluefruit-ez-key-hid/overview

[–] wjrii@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

So unlike apparently everyone else on these threads, I actually have a Model M. Okay, technically I have three Model Ms, but still...

What kind of PS/2 cable is it? permanent or modular?

Is it still working, even if it looks rough?

Are you comfortable soldering?

If not, are you at least comfortable following a simple wiring diagram?

[–] Offbus@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

You’re looking for what’s called a “pigtail”. Ps/2 seems to be another name for 6-pin “mini-din”, which is a standardized connector format.

Here’s an example.

https://www.amazon.com/AIMLYF-CONNECTOR-PROGRAMMING-BREAKOUT-CABLE/dp/B0D9BD64QR/

You can try searching anywhere that would carry that kind of equipment like mouser.com or digikey.com.

[+] floo@retrolemmy.com -17 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

[removed by mod]

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 10 points 2 months ago (2 children)

… wat? What’s with your hate for a keyboard?

Outside of missing the windows key there’s nothing wrong with the model M. PS/2 interface is fine too. Most boards support hotplugging it and it basically work or it doesn’t unlike USB which can get weird.

[+] thisbenzingring@lemmy.sdf.org -7 points 2 months ago (3 children)

down vote this post but he is speaking truth. unless you're going to solder and deal with the cosmetics of diy, just get a modern mechanical keyboard

[–] SpiceDealer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 9 points 2 months ago (3 children)

I bought this keyboard as more of a historical keepsake rather than for a daily driver. Still, I would to like to have it in good shape and learn to tinker with old electronics.

[–] TheFinn@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I think I bought mine off mono price. I'm sure Amazon has some. But I also used a ps2 to USB adapter and used it as a daily driver for years. The only reason I stopped was because it was too loud when no longer had an office to myself.

[–] thisbenzingring@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

more power to you. don't get me wrong I think it's great keeping old hardware going but I have access to a large cache of old hardware (at work we have a defunct computer museum. More Apple II's then anyone could want) and it's generally not worth fixing because there's always another collecting dust just around the corner.

But if you were going to use this old ps2 with a ps2->usb dongle for a daily driver it's probably not worth it after soldering and cosmetic detail

[–] DmMacniel@feddit.org 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

No modern mechanical keyboard can come even close to spring buckled keyboards.