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Using a normal keyboard
Getting the KB Conn to work

New MessageUsing a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) Kamel
Profile
Has anyone had any luck getting the KB Conn on the motherboard to actually work? From what I can tell, it might be a normal PS2 keyboard connector. I have figured out that pin 1 (closest to the front of the case) is the Vcc +5v pin, and pin four is ground - good thing, too, considering there is an aluminum ground post that almost touches it with the motherboard in place. The two middle pins I am assuming to be Data and Clock, but I don't have a scope or a logic probe so I can't really tell. I've tried connecting a ps2 keyboard, and swapping the two middle wires to see if it would work either way and I can't seem to get the keyboard to work. I'm obviously correct with regards to the Vcc and ground connections - the keyboard lights flash when the unit is powered up. But, I can't get it to do anything with the Clock and Data wires connected either way. The ground from the ps2 connector itself is grounded as well. Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hate that puny wireless keyboard!
11-11-2000 18:33:18

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) Kamel
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Oh, btw I thought possibly the IR Keyboard ROM might be the problem, but removing it causes the machine to just beep like hell. So apparently, it needs it.
11-11-2000 18:34:47

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) Dvd1970
Profile
Have you tried turning it on with the keyboard connected. I know on my computer if the keyboard gets unpluged and I plug it back in, it doesn't work untill I power the computer off then back on.
11-12-2000 22:08:21

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) Kamel
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Yes I've tried that. I powered it down, then swapped the wires, then fired it back up. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe this isn't a ps2 port. USB is four pins as well, +5v vcc, ground, data+, and data-, similar to ps2.
11-12-2000 22:31:02

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) kray
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It's maybe a bit late answering this, but yes you can connect a normal keyboard. The KB CONN feed ps/2 signals.
You only have to disconnect the signals coming from the IR CNTRL chip.
Details or on my site.
K-Ray -- The Journals
02-21-2001 16:38:44

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) Kamel
Profile
Thanks, kray. Actually, I did finally get it working in the exact same manner you described on your site, I just never bothered to post it since no one seemed interested in it except me. :) I actually found another use for it - the Vcc and GND pins make an excellent header for a 5v processor fan with an old cd audio connector. Of course, no one was interested in that either, so screw it. Kudos on the site - I'm glad to see someone actually trying to probe this thing with a good amount of technical depth rather than just feeling they accomplished something by plugging in a hard drive. Later...
02-22-2001 00:29:05

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) dotdot
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Anyone tried it? I solder the pins in the KB CN, but I don't know how to disconnect the IR signals. Unfortunately the kray's website is down. Maybe Kamel or someone else can easily email me. If need be, I can set up a webpage for that purpose.

thanks in advance.

03-07-2003 10:12:10

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 1 times) Kudzu
Profile
dotdot,

Here's the information from K-Ray's site:


CN14: KB CONN
In the middle of the mainboard there is a spot where a connector can be soldered on. CN14 is also called KB CONN so I think this is a keyboard connector and I thought right. This is indeed a PS/2 keyboard connector which is wired as follow when you hold the main board in such a way you can read the 'KB CONN CN14' printing: GND KBCLK KBDAT VCC These 4 lines can be connected to a PS/2 mini-din connector:

1 KBDAT
2 n/c
3 GND
4 VCC
5 KBCLK
6 n/c

Now the question is, does it work? Only one way to find out so I solder a PS/2 connector to the mainboard with some flatcable as you can see in the pictures. When I boot the webplayer I can see the 3 LED's flash so I suppose it works and indeed it works without any problem. Hey! An other victory

The IR keyboard that came with the webplayer seems to have a problem with a wired keyboard connected. Some keys have a strange behaviour, but the problem doesn't occur when you type with the wired keyboard.

As I'm typing more I notice that also the wired keyboard has a problem. Probably because the wireless keyboard hasn't have a separate numeric keypad but has to share some other keys on the main pad. Maybe later I will try to deactivate the IR function, just to check if it is possible to do so. Just removing the "IR KB CTRL" chip doesn't work at all. The Webplayer won't boot anymore.

There are two pins from the chip that are connected to the ps/2 signals (pins 16 & 18) so I have just bent them a bit so they wouldn't touch the corresponding pin connector in the chip holder. Now the wired keyboard works just fine without any problems at all. The mouse function of the wireless keyboard keeps working as before.

Until now I haven't been able to connect another mouse on the webplayer. I think the problem is the serial port, but I'll get to that later on.


03-08-2003 19:24:55

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) nleahcim
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But which chip is the IR control chip?
03-09-2003 13:58:44

New MessageRE:Using a normal keyboard (modified 0 times) Kudzu
Profile

But which chip is the IR control chip?

From the Webplayer Interior Component List:

U9: ATMEL AT89C2051-24PC 9929 (dil20) label U9-0117 (board: IR KB CTRL)

03-11-2003 01:32:44

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