| The IA-1 always automatically powers on when you plug in the power cord, so you don't need the power button on the keyboard. However, the "power" button on the keyboard is important, as it allows you to soft-reset the system (which is otherwise impossible, since there isn't a reset button on the board that I have seen) Nevertheless, beyond that function - you really don't need the original keyboard. Any USB keyboard & mouse will do.
One note, though. The power supply on these machines is extremely cheap. I believe they expected the USB ports to be limited to printers (which are self-powered), and broadband adapters. I have found that my IA-1 was very unstable when I plugged in a separate USB keyboard, mouse and ethernet adapter - but I also attempted to hack my unit, so I may have simply damaged something. If your IA-1 has problems, use a separate, self-powered hub to get it going.
-radarman | |
