Just got me a Mega STE. First questions.

[Gunstar]

Yes! I know own a Mega STE with 2MB installed and 2 more simms to upgrade to 4MB. It's the base unit only, I need a keyboard, but it looks to be in good, but dusty/dirty condition. I need to clean it inside and out. Most of you know I already have an ST, so my questions basically regard anything that is different between a ST/STe and Mega ST/STE. Firstly, what keyboards can be used? Will any megaST/MegaSTE/TT keyboard work or only one or two? I'd be looking for a TT keyboard if it is compatible, since I've heard they are the best, though maybe it's the same keyboard on a Mega STE? But if a standard Mega ST keyboard will work too, I may just look for the best price to start with and upgrade to a TT keyboard later. Secondly, there is a socket for a chip on the motherboard just in front of the 68000 chip, near the front; what is this for? The Blitter is already in MegaSTE's right? Is it for a math co-processor or something else? If so, I also have a mounting area for a socket&chip on my 1040ST motherboard that I thought was for the installaion of a blitter chip, since my other 520 and 1040 parts machines have different Rev. motherboards and don't have this extra spot. Is IT for something other than the Blitter chip? Lastly, for now, what do you guys recommend as far as system memory? I'd really like to have more than 2MB for CAD3D, MIDI and internet purposes, but if it screws with to many programs being at the incompatible 4MB, I might just stick with 2MB...it's more than the 1MB I've been used too. Or, someone mentioned utilities/programs that will "hide" the rest of the memory from programs that will not run on systems with more than 2 or so megabytes, any help here? I'll have a few other questions later if my assumptions turn out false once I get a keyboard and get the system up and running.

[belboz]

Congrats on getting a Mega STE.

 

The Mega ST, Mega STE, and TT keyboards are interchangeable. So any will work with the other machines.

 

The Mega STE and TT keyboards are made to "cradle" on top of the part of the TT/Mega STE case that sticks out in the front. So if you can find a TT or Mega STE keyboard I would go with that.

 

Yep, that should be the FPU socket. I think if you add an FPU to the Mega STE you also need a GAL chip also.

 

Yep the Mega STE has a blitter.

 

One more thing on the keyboard front. All Atari 16/32 machines use the same keyboard controller. Inside a 520ST/1040ST/1040STE the keyboard/joystick interface plugs into the mother board with a little header (6 pin I think). You can actually use any of the Atari external keyboards with a 520ST/1040ST/1040STE by just making an adapter to go from the 6 pin header to the proper phone jack of the external keyboard. This doesn't help you any, but you can go the opposite route below.

 

Likewise if you wanted a "real" cheap hack to get a keyboard working on your Mega STE you could pull the keyboard out of a 520ST/1040ST/1040STE and go from the 6 pin header on it to the phone jack input on the Mega STE. It would look ugly, but it would work. Might be real cheap to find a dead ST on ebay and use the keyboard from it. Then take your time finding a good deal on a Mega STE or TT keyboard.

 

Here is a link to that adaptors pinouts.

 

http://www.czuba-tech.com/old/F30_RJ11.jpg

 

I have a Mega STE myself (4MB) and haven't had any real major compatibility issues because of the 4MB. The Mega STE isn't the best suited for running older games. Many still work, but there are some that don't work.

 

Firstly, what keyboards can be used? Will any megaST/MegaSTE/TT keyboard work or only one or two?

 

Secondly, there is a socket for a chip on the motherboard just in front of the 68000 chip, near the front; what is this for? The Blitter is already in MegaSTE's right? Is it for a math co-processor or something else? If so, I also have a mounting area for a socket&chip on my 1040ST motherboard that I thought was for the installaion of a blitter chip, since my other 520 and 1040 parts machines have different Rev. motherboards and don't have this extra spot. Is IT for something other than the Blitter chip?

 

Lastly, for now, what do you guys recommend as far as system memory? I'd really like to have more than 2MB for CAD3D, MIDI and internet purposes, but if it screws with to many programs being at the incompatible 4MB, I might just stick with 2MB...it's more than the 1MB I've been used too. Or, someone mentioned utilities/programs that will "hide" the rest of the memory from programs that will not run on systems with more than 2 or so megabytes, any help here? I'll have a few other questions later if my assumptions turn out false once I get a keyboard and get the system up and running.

[Gunstar]

Thank's Belboz, I think I just might convert one of my spare 1040ST keyboards (I've got two non-working 1040's and one working at the moment), since after looking at dealer prices I almost vomited. How dare they charge $110 for a reconditioned and $150 for new keyboards! Geeze! I think I could easily do better just by buying an MegaSTE to PC keyboard adapter and picking up a spare PC keyboard at a Goodwill store for a buck or two! I seem to recall hearing about such adapters back in the day, there was even a kit for the Atari 8-bit&PC keyboard.

 

But I'd just as soon use one of my 1040 keyboards and make a case for it partly out of wood and partly out of my 1040 case, rather than buy a real Mega STE/TT keyboard or even a standard Mega keyboard if they are similiarly priced. I will wait for a good deal on a TT keyboard, but the matching the slot on the MSTE to the MSTE/TT keyboard isn't worth paying those prices.

It's really sad too, becuase those Mega/TT computers that B&C and Best and others are selling for nearly original list price will never sell, and no one will ever have the joy of using them. They'll just rot on the dealer shelves until they finally have clearance sales after going bankrupt for lack of sales, which in turn were lacking due to the ridiculous pricing. I went to those dealer sights expecting to pay $40-50 for a mega/TT keyboard, and thinking THAT was overpriced...YIKES!

[belboz]

One thing you could do, to keep the hack clean. Just unplug the cable from the keyboard to you 1040 ST motherboard and put your little adapter inside the 1040 ST case and snake the phone jack cable out the back of it. Then just put the lid back on your 1040 ST and use it as a keyboard only. Never connect power to the 1040 ST since the keyboard will get its power over the cable from the Mega STE.

 

If you have the desktop space it might be easier than making a case for just the keyboard.

 

Your joysticks port will work also.

 

Let me know if you need any more info on the adaptor. Just make sure you get the power and ground lines correct before powering anything up.

 

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Gunstar]

Good idea, I just may do that, though, one of the ST's has a broken case anyway, so cutting off just the keyboard part of the top and bottom case would be wasting anything that isn't already wasted, it would actually be a salvage operation, then I could either just leave the backside open, where it's cut off from therest of the case, or I could enclose the back-end with cardboard or thin wood, I could even rig an extension for the joystick ports out the back instead of going underneath, though going underneath is even simplified since it would only be a light weight keyboard to lift up. Anyway, I will do one of the above to get the Mega STE up&running, and wait until I can find a GOOD deal on a TT/MSTE keyboard. I'll let you know how things work out. I'm not even sure if my MSTE is woring properly at this point, as I did hook it up and attempt a boot-up, but after checking the floppy drive, the system hangs for about a full 3 minutes before it show the HD initializing and a desktop finally comes up. This isn't normal is it? Does the Mega HD require an installation/init. program to boot from floppy for it to work normally? Like with my Supraddrive, I have an HD install program in the auto folder on a drive A floppy, this is to make the ST recognize the HD, is this similiar to the Mega STE or is it suppposed to have such software built into rom? I think it may be a bad floppy drive. Are there any manuals online for the Mega STE? that I can browse or print, or would I have to buy one? I'm curious about hooking my second external HD up to it

[belboz]

The Mega STE does a memory test on boot up, it can be bypassed by hitting the space bar. Makes it tough for you to do that right now with no keyboard. You should see a little indicator at the top left of the screen showing the memory test progressing. I believe it is a small black bar moving from left to right.

 

So from what you are describing that sounds like the normal boot up.

 

Basically the STE upon powerup will check the floppies boot sector for an auto booting disk (that is when you see the light on the floppy come on) and if it finds auto boot code it will boot it, if not it goes through the memory test. An Auto folder is different and not the same as a disk with code in the boot sector.

 

So basically if it doesn't see a disk with boot sector code it will do the memory check. Then it will look for a bootable hard drive and boot it. If no hard drive is found it then looks for an auto folder on the floppy and executes that program(s) if they exist. If none exist you get the desktop.

 

In order to boot a diskette that has a program in the auto folder (not the boot sector) you need to hold ALT down on boot up. Mind you this is when you have a hard drive available. If you don't have a hard drive the STE will boot from the floppy by default.

 

I seem to remember a program that existed that resided on the boot sector of a floppy. You could boot from it when turning on your STE and it would check for the hard drive to spin up and would then immediately boot the hard drive (hence bypassing the memory check). If someone else (or if I can remember) can figure out the name of the program you could make this disk on one of your working ST's and then boot it in your Mega STE to skip the memory test.

 

Regardless if you have a boot sector game disk it should boot fine too. So finding a boot sector game or demo would make a good test of your STE.

 

I'm not even sure if my MSTE is woring properly at this point, as I did hook it up and attempt a boot-up, but after checking the floppy drive, the system hangs for about a full 3 minutes before it show the HD initializing and a desktop finally comes up. This isn't normal is it? Does the Mega HD require an installation/init. program to boot from floppy for it to work normally? Like with my Supraddrive, I have an HD install program in the auto folder on a drive A floppy, this is to make the ST recognize the HD, is this similiar to the Mega STE or is it suppposed to have such software built into rom? I think it may be a bad floppy drive. Are there any manuals online for the Mega STE? that I can browse or print, or would I have to buy one? I'm curious about hooking my second external HD up to it

920333[/snapback]

[+DarkLord]

The Mega STE does a memory test on boot up, it can be bypassed by hitting the space bar.  Makes it tough for you to do that right now with no keyboard.  You should see a little indicator at the top left of the screen showing the memory test progressing.  I believe it is a small black bar moving from left to right.

 

920408[/snapback]

 

Well technically its TOS 2.XX that gives the memory test/hard drive spin up bar, on any Atari its installed in, but I'm being awfully picky here... <grin>

 

I'd love to get my hands on a Mega STe someday.

 

Oh heck, I confess...I'd like to have 1 of every Atari ever made.... <big grin>

[tjlazer]

If you are not seeing a logo and info at top left of screen you have TOS 2.05, this is what I had in mine. I upgraded to TOS 2.06, yes TOS 2.05 does not show anything on screen and will seem to take forever to startup with a white screen if you do not hit the spacebar.

 

Also the TT and Mega STE keyboards are identicle except the TT one is off white and the Mega STE is gray.

 

I ended up getting raped by a dealer when I ordered a new TT keyboard, but it was cool as it came new in its original box! I also got a new top case and off white TT mouse, and my TT looks new now.

[Gunstar]

Thanks guys. Getting just the computer core itself, with no keyboard or documentation can make it hard to check out a new computer if start-up isn't what you are used too. I'm certainly glad I was given the computer, I cracked a big old smile when my buddy (who has another STE and a Falcon) offered it to me out of the blue, and then, handed it to me the very next day. I know these machines go for at least a $200 on E-bay, if you are very lucky, and the dealers are still charging $500 for one. I wasn't going to refuse just becuase it lacked the keyboard, monitor, mouse, etc. I have everything but the keyboard and I'll hack one together for now. I am glad, that by your answers, it seems to be working properly. I'll try a commercial game in it. I was testing it with my bootdisks I use on my 1040STf and Supradrive, hence why it took forever to get to the desktop.

[Gunstar]

One thing you could do, to keep the hack clean.  Just unplug the cable from the keyboard to you 1040 ST motherboard and put your little adapter inside the 1040 ST case and snake the phone jack cable out the back of it.  Then just put the lid back on your 1040 ST and use it as a keyboard only.  Never connect power to the 1040 ST since the keyboard will get its power over the cable from the Mega STE.

 

If you have the desktop space it might be easier than making a case for just the keyboard.

 

Your joysticks port will work also.

 

Let me know if you need any more info on the adaptor.  Just make sure you get the power and ground lines correct before powering anything up.

 

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

919936[/snapback]

 

Ok, I've been looking into this keyboard project, I need to get the proper type of RJ12 plug thoough, with 6 lines, as I only have 4 line on hand, but I'm confused about something already. From the diagram you pointed me too, I'm guessing the picture is showing only four lines coming from the keyboard and both the Vcc and ground are bridged over two lines each at the RJ connector, right? Ok, now on the keyboard side of the diagram and also by the pinout here: http://pinouts.ru/data/atari_mega_keyb_pinout.shtml , I've noticed that the connector on the 1040ST keyboard has 7 lines plus the "plugged" hole on the connector. It looks like the diagram is also showing this "plugged" or "key" line, but the connectr pic shows only 6 lines instead of 8, like shown in the diagram and my link. One yellow, which I'm assuming is the ground wire, by orientation with 2nd pin "key" next to it and then 7, not 5, more pins/wires. You might see how this can be confusing since if I skip yet another connection or two, which one(s)? Are they still in order but I skip and extra line or two from the bottom (3rd&4th pins if 2nd pin is key) or from the top? Do the Falcon and ST/STE keyboards have the same pinout? The diagram is confusing I think is the real problem, becuase I'm not sure about what the picture is showing on the keyboard side, with the pin that is "plugged" with the "key" there a dark spot on the left and it says nc/key on the right, is this for one pin, with the key in it or is this showing the key, and then another line the is nc? Am I explaining this clearly? I did find a 6 line RJ11/12 jack (whatever they are) hooked into my Jaguars networking, it only needs 4 lines, so I swapped. I think I need a regular ST keyboard pinout still.

Edited August 29, 2005 by Gunstar

[techie_alison]

This is insanely simple to do.

 

Obtain an RJ12 telephone extension cable, or an RJ11 cable. The only differences between an RJ11 is the it is a 4pin device, with an RJ12 being a 6 pin device. Externally and dimension wise they are identical, as most RJ11's are actually RJ12's but with just the inner 4 pins crimped. That's mass production for you.

 

With your shiny new RJ11 telephone cable simply wire up GND, +5v, RX, and TX to a 0.1inch pitch connector, something like this; http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...rce=14&doy=29m8

 

Only the inner 4 wires are necessary, reset and FDD activity can be ignored on the STFM keyboard. The extra +5v and GND, outer pins on the RJ12 can be ignored.

 

I have a Mega STE keyboard here which connects to an STFM via a 4-pole 3.5mm audio plug; http://www.retro.dial.pipex.com/stram/images/image4.jpg The switch is DPDT and toggles TX and RX between the internal ST keyboard and the external MSTE keyboard.

 

This document may help; http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Technology/NSACU...o/faq/faq3.html It explains the procedure you're trying to do. It's about half way down the page.

 

Here's another few other Mega STE bits; http://www.retro.dial.pipex.com/msteutil/

 

Here's the pinouts for the regular Atari STFM keyboard;

 

1 - GND

2 - NC / Key Orientation Hole

3 - Floppy Activity

4 - +5v

5 - RXD

6 - TXD

7 - RESET

8 - GND

 

STFM 1 goes to MSTE 5

STFM 4 goes to MSTE 2

STFM 5 goes to MSTE 4

STFM 6 goes to MSTE 3

Edited August 29, 2005 by techie_alison

[Gunstar]

This is insanely simple to do.

 

Obtain an RJ12 telephone extension cable, or an RJ11 cable.  The only differences between an RJ11 is the it is a 4pin device, with an RJ12 being a 6 pin device.  Externally and dimension wise they are identical, as most RJ11's are actually RJ12's but with just the inner 4 pins crimped.  That's mass production for you.

 

With your shiny new RJ11 telephone cable simply wire up GND, +5v, RX, and TX to a 0.1inch pitch connector, something like this; http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Module...rce=14&doy=29m8

 

Only the inner 4 wires are necessary, reset and FDD activity can be ignored on the STFM keyboard.  The extra +5v and GND, outer pins on the RJ12 can be ignored.

 

I have a Mega STE keyboard here which connects to an STFM via a 4-pole 3.5mm audio plug; http://www.retro.dial.pipex.com/stram/images/image4.jpg  The switch is DPDT and toggles TX and RX between the internal ST keyboard and the external MSTE keyboard.

 

This document may help; http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Technology/NSACU...o/faq/faq3.html  It explains the procedure you're trying to do.  It's about half way down the page.

 

Here's another few other Mega STE bits; http://www.retro.dial.pipex.com/msteutil/

 

Here's the pinouts for the regular Atari STFM keyboard;

 

1 - GND

2 - NC / Key Orientation Hole

3 - Floppy Activity

4 - +5v

5 - RXD

6 - TXD

7 - RESET

8 - GND

 

STFM 1 goes to MSTE 5

STFM 4 goes to MSTE 2

STFM 5 goes to MSTE 4

STFM 6 goes to MSTE 3

920665[/snapback]

 

thankyou, I attempted to obtain the STFM keyboard pinout, but couldn't find it. That's all I really needed, but you're directions here are great. You are right, it is insanely simple, when one can see what all the pins are and know which 4 to choose, without that, it's pretty difficult. thanks.

[techie_alison]

thankyou, I attempted to obtain the STFM keyboard pinout, but couldn't find it. That's all I really needed, but you're directions here are great. You are right, it is insanely simple, when one can see what all the pins are and know which 4 to choose, without that, it's pretty difficult. thanks.

920804[/snapback]

 

Hiya, no probs :-) Apols if I was in 100mph let's-boss-people-about-mode...

 

Actually... Just thought of summin'.... Just looked at that picture of mine with the switch.. What just could be a possibility would be to fit a socket and switch on the back of an STFM, and have it outputting it's keyboard lines to your MSTE. Could be done without power to the STFM too. Bit cumbersome though..

 

The other thing that crossed my mind would be a PS2 keyboard/PS2 mouse interface solely for the Mega/MSTE/TT machines. Can do the PS2 mouse right now, but no keyboard routines developed yet. You'd have a month or so to wait for that one while in development. Mmmm, needs a joystick port too. Would have to think about that one...

[krupkaj]

If you want PS2 keyboard, you can build eiffel interface. It is not bad. It even has support for joysticks.

But I preffer original Atari keyboard.

[Gunstar]

Has anyone actually done a regular ST keyboard to Mega STE? Or only Mega STE/TT/Mega keyboards to regular ST's? Becuase I was working on it for a while this evening and couldn't get it to work. There's power to the keyboard, as the light is on, but it doesn't work when I plug it into the mega STE. I tried both 4 and 6 pin RJ11/12 cables, and it just won't work. I'm wondering if this hack will only work one way, Mega/STE/TT keyboard to ST and not ST to Mega/STE/TT. Now, I suppose it's possible that the keyboard I'm using just doesn't work right, but it does power up and I think that to be unlikely.

[techie_alison]

Was searching for something else and found this....

 

http://www.atari-workshop.co.uk/products/k...accessories.htm

 

Your TT keyboard is on there for £60. :-)

[Gunstar]

Was searching for something else and found this....

 

http://www.atari-workshop.co.uk/products/k...accessories.htm

 

Your TT keyboard is on there for £60.  :-)

921481[/snapback]

 

Thanks. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is at the moment, but I think that's around $100 U.S., maybe more, still, I think it's a bit cheaper than the refurbished ones I've seen for sale at around $130 and definately cheaper than $150 for a new one here in the states. In any case, I'll have to wait until my next payday on the 9th of September before I can order it.

[Gunstar]

I have gone ahead and added the 2 extra simms in that I had, so the Mega STE now has a full 4MB memory. I also swapped out the TOS, what I think was 2.05, I thought the extras I had that I was going to upgrade my 1040ST with were 2.06, but I see no change in the boot-up sequence (someone said there's suppose to be a logo on-screen with 2.06 right?), so I think I just swapped TOS 2.05 for another set of 2.05.

[Gunstar]

The Mega STE does a memory test on boot up, it can be bypassed by hitting the space bar.  Makes it tough for you to do that right now with no keyboard.  You should see a little indicator at the top left of the screen showing the memory test progressing.  I believe it is a small black bar moving from left to right.

 

920408[/snapback]

 

Well technically its TOS 2.XX that gives the memory test/hard drive spin up bar, on any Atari its installed in, but I'm being awfully picky here... <grin>

 

I'd love to get my hands on a Mega STe someday.

 

Oh heck, I confess...I'd like to have 1 of every Atari ever made.... <big grin>

920495[/snapback]

 

I've been wanting either a TT of a Falcon sor sometime, I was just going to skip the whole Mega/STE thing and keep my 1040STf and get either or both a TT and Falcon eventually, now I don't know what I'll do. I may yet decide to get the TT/Falcon, but since have a Mega STE now, I may just worry about upgrading it to the max with accelerator and graphic boards made by third parties to birng it up to par with the TT/Falcon on most levels. Or the TT anyway...I think many of the upgrades will can bring it very close to being a TT, but the Falcon is a different bird, with it's DSP, etc. so I may have to get a Falcon one day still. But I will probably jus upgrade the MSTE instead of looking for a TT. I've thought about trying to get ALL atari computers, but now I think I'll just get the major "evolutions" of Atari's. Like I now have an 800, 1200Xl and 130XE, so I'm really covered with all 8-bit varireties, my 1200 has been modded with all it "kinks" out of it now, so it's basically a large 800XL; then I have the 1040STf and now a Mega STE, so it seems to me all I really need is the Falcon to have all the major "steps" in the Atari computer evolution. Good enough for me. I wouldn't have the room for more, I don't have the room for what I already have!

[belboz]

Gunstar,

 

A friend of mine used an old 520ST keyboard on his Mega STE a long time back. It worked fine for him.

 

If one of your TOS 2.05 sets has the little windows under the labels, we could probably arrange something where you send them to me, and I will erase them and reprogram them with 2.06.

 

And you are correct, 2.06 does have an Atari logo at boot up.

Edited August 30, 2005 by belboz

[belboz]

One thing you could do to check your keyboard out, is to plug the keyboard from the 1040 ST into a working 1040 ST in place of its keyboard. If you verify it works on a 1040 then it is either your adaptor you made, or something wrong with the Mega STE. I believe one of the 6850 IC's is used to communicate with the keyboard controller.

Edited August 30, 2005 by belboz

[+DarkLord]

[

I've been wanting either a TT of a Falcon sor sometime, I was just going to skip the whole Mega/STE thing and keep my 1040STf and get either or both a TT and Falcon eventually, now I don't know what I'll do. I may yet decide to get the TT/Falcon, but since have a Mega STE now, I may just worry about upgrading it to the max with accelerator and graphic boards made by third parties to birng it up to par with the TT/Falcon on most levels. Or the TT anyway...I think many of the upgrades will can bring it very close to being a TT, but the Falcon is a different bird, with it's DSP, etc. so I may have to get a Falcon one day still. But I will probably jus upgrade the MSTE instead of looking for a TT. I've thought about trying to get ALL atari computers, but now I think I'll just get the major "evolutions" of Atari's. Like I now have an 800, 1200Xl and 130XE, so I'm really covered with all 8-bit varireties, my 1200 has been modded with all it "kinks" out of it now, so it's basically a large 800XL; then I have the 1040STf and now a Mega STE, so it seems to me all I really need is the Falcon to have all the major "steps" in the Atari computer evolution. Good enough for me. I wouldn't have the room for more, I don't have the room for what I already have!

921648[/snapback]

 

If I had to pick a higher end Atari to settle on, it would have to be the Falcon. Simply because of the potential it has for support. Look at all the CTxx stuff! :-)

 

I hear ya about space - my wife gives me "that" look every so often when she sees me playing with my Atari stuff (you know that look, like she's thinking how something from Home Interior would look so much better there?).

 

BTW, have you checked Ebay lately? Seems I saw a Panther video card and hardware on sale there a few days ago - that works with the Mega STe, AFAIK.

 

See ya!

[Gunstar]

One thing you could do to check your keyboard out, is to plug the keyboard from the 1040 ST into a working 1040 ST in place of its keyboard.  If you verify it works on a 1040 then it is either your adaptor you made, or something wrong with the Mega STE.  I believe one of the 6850 IC's is used to communicate with the keyboard controller.

921716[/snapback]

 

Thanks. I will check into it further now that I know an older keyboard can work for sure. I did do the modification on a keyboard from a 1040ST that wasn't working for other reasons, that had not been tested, so I will test it in my working ST. If it works, then I know either there is a problem with the STE (doubtful) or with my connections (probable, if the keyboard works, but I tried several ways after the first did not work). Hopefully it is just a bad keyboard, I have another spare that I know works, it just has a couple of broken function keys that I can swap out with the broken keyboard.

[tjlazer]

If you don't mind a non US keyboard, you can try Europe for a MEGA ST or MEGA STE keyboard. I ended up getting a German Mega ST keyboard from germany for my keyboard less Mega ST4 for just $12 as I did not want to spend over $100 for a US one. Works fine and it was mint. Just a thought.

[Gunstar]

If you don't mind a non US keyboard, you can try Europe for a MEGA ST or MEGA STE keyboard.  I ended up getting a German Mega ST keyboard from germany for my keyboard less Mega ST4 for just $12 as I did not want to spend over $100 for a US one.  Works fine and it was mint.  Just a thought.

925687[/snapback]

 

It doesn't make a difference to me if it's US or European. They work the same; so I get a few symbols on the keyboard that aren't generally used in the US like an english pound sign or other...so what. I have been and will be look around the world, through the internet, for a keyboard. But maybe you know a German or other dealer/site offhand that you can post?