XEGS keyboard

[DemonoidTentacle]

I'm wanting to track down a keyboard for my XEGS, and was wondering if the keyboards from the 65XE and 130XE are the same/compatible.

[Rybags]

The keyboard itself is the same but the unit contains 2 multiplexor ICs that on other machines are on the motherboard.

 

You could make a keyboard fairly easily for an XEGS, the biggest hurdle would be finding something to house the actual keyboard.

[+wood_jl]

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 130615582628

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 140660329593

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 130615579067

Edited December 27, 2011 by wood_jl

[qix_maniac]

I have one but might be too expensive to ship to you

[ultrasteve]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but would it work the other way around, so an XEGS keyboard (without the power LED) inside a 65XE?

[doctor_x]

best electronics too...

[ultrasteve]

Sure, they sell them, but is it possible to use the XEGS one in a 65XE? I read something on another thread about something being present/missing on each?

[BillC]

Sure, they sell them, but is it possible to use the XEGS one in a 65XE? I read something on another thread about something being present/missing on each?

The XEGS keyboards have the 4051 multiplexer ICs included. An option for use with other models would be to connect to POKEY, bypassing the computers 4051s. The 1200XL keyboard has similar circuitry, but lacking the portion that lets the XEGS know if the keyboard is connected or not.

 

Back in the 90's I used an alternative method to connect a 1200XL keyboard to a 400, I removed the 4051 chips from the keyboard and used a ribbon cable to connect to the 400s keyboard socket pads on the bottom of the PCB.

[+David_P]

Alternative: Make a TK-II XEGS and use a PS/2 keyboard.

[Bryan]

The Start, Select, Option, Reset keys are missing from the XEGS keyboard. Some of the keyboards I've seen have the plungers installed and some don't.

[+mytek]

Alternative: Make a TK-II XEGS and use a PS/2 keyboard.

 

This by far would be the simplest solution, especially if you are content with the Start-Select-Option-Reset keys to still be on the main console, since this would require no modifications, soldering, or dis-assembly of your XEGS. Not sure if he is still building these, but you can check with Fuji-Man and see if he has any already assembled. I'd go with the TK-II-XEGS 'S' version, since the non-'S' version's mouse connection probably isn't all that useful.

 

 

The Start, Select, Option, Reset keys are missing from the XEGS keyboard. Some of the keyboards I've seen have the plungers installed and some don't.

 

Yeah one of my XEGS's had the plungers. Kinda sad that Atari didn't wire them up, since there were enough pins on the D-Sub 15 keyboard connector to accommodate them. Oh well, probably yet another Tramiel cost cutting measure . And do you think they could have made the cord longer??!

 

- Michael

Edited May 8, 2016 by mytekcontrols

[ultrasteve]

Thanks for all the tips. Don't really want to go for the alternative solution (although it is excellent) as I like the purity of the stock setup

 

Going to send my original to flashjazzcat for him to have a look at it for me.