Focus 2001

xbb · 06 Apr 2011, 13:56

http://www.amazon.co.uk/NEWLink-USB-Key ... B001GXR72E (not available)
Anyway it doesn't work well for me with OSX.
Consider trying HAMA and Conceptronic too.

ripster · 06 Apr 2011, 16:31

My link is better.

NEED MOAR REP POINTS!!!

keyboardlover · 06 Apr 2011, 16:40

Contraceptronic? Sounds kinky.

Magna224 · 06 Apr 2011, 17:38

1) Could be a dead board, busted IC or other more easily replaceable part. Some of these Focus boards used re-pluggable ICs. See if yours is loose

2) The board could be running in XT mode instead of AT. If you slide a small screw driver under the logo on the top left corner, you will notice that it can be opened up to reveal dipswitches. Play around with the settings and see if it boots now. Just in case, remember the original switch position if this does not fix the errors and reset the switches to that, so the wrong setting can be excluded from further "debugging"

3) Your PC might be too modern and might not supply enough voltage over the PS2 connector. Personally, I have never experienced this problem (probably because my hardware is too ancient always), but I heard of several cases with vintage keyboards.

1)Would the lights still flash on boot if something like this was wrong?

2)Its running in PS/2 enhanced and I have tried all the others just in case. When I use the XT modes (which aren't supposed to work anyways) it turns the lights on permanently until it is changed back to an AT mode.

3) This is looking to be the most plausible cause but unfortunately I do not own any PCs older than 5 years.

ripster · 06 Apr 2011, 18:27

Bloooooooooooooo Cuuuuuuuuuuuuuubbbbbbbbbbe!

Da Link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Male-PS-2-Femal ... 5197aadc2d

False_Dmitry_II · 06 Apr 2011, 22:11

I would guess the PS/2 power thing is only limited to retail bought computers like dells and whatnot. None of the computers I've tried to connect even a model M to has had a problem so far. But they were all originally just parts in boxes.

Magna224 · 06 Apr 2011, 22:13

its so expensive though =,(
Are you sure it will work?

ripster · 07 Apr 2011, 01:59

At 5 pounds sterling I would just say.......

maybe.

Magna224 · 07 Apr 2011, 02:21

The cheapest one I can find cost $11 usd.

ripster · 07 Apr 2011, 03:49

Oh, if you are USA you should sell me that for $10 and I'll pay shipping too.

Magna224 · 07 Apr 2011, 04:27

I want it though =P Its just annoying having to pay $15 for adapters on a $10 keyboard. I really like the way it feels.

ripster · 07 Apr 2011, 05:41

Haha - I was trying to score some Blue ALPS.

Try this buying guide.
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title= ... B+Adapters

No guarantee it'll fix the problem though. That's one old keyboard.

Magna224 · 07 Apr 2011, 06:07

I already ordered the blue cube earlier from some US store for $11 including shipping. I just hope it works.

Magna224 · 13 Apr 2011, 05:21

Well the blue cube didn't work. =(
The software from the usb loads but the keyboard still wont work.
What are the other possibilities of error? I am determined to get this keyboard to work.

Corland · 14 Apr 2011, 07:13

I have a Focus 2001 with white alps that works great on my PS2 port, but it does not work with the Belkin usb adapter (which has the same internals as the blue cube) I also got a PCI PS2 port adapter, and that behaved the same way -- the lights flashed, but nothing happened when I hit the keys. I think it may be a voltage issue, but if anyone has any solutions, I would love to hear them as well....

Half-Saint · 14 Apr 2011, 07:48

How cheap is cheap?

Magna224 · 15 Apr 2011, 00:00

What at to ps/2 adapter are you using that works?

Magna224 · 19 Apr 2011, 03:16

It gives me "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" in my control panel.

Edit: that was the wrong usb port I know what that one is. It actually says that the keyboard is working fine. >.>

ripster · 19 Apr 2011, 03:36

He's talking about one of the adapters on the left. Simple pass throughs.

Magna224 · 19 Apr 2011, 03:53

I have this one
http://www.monoprice.com/products/produ ... 1&format=2

Magna224 · 21 Apr 2011, 02:41

Ok, so its probably something electrical right? When I checked everything inside it looked great considering its age.
How should I go about pinpointing what exactly is wrong?

When I start my PC the LEDs flash. I get that "Keyboard interface error" in boot. Also in windows I believe that it said that it was working fine. It just wont type and I when I press the caps lock key the LED doesn't light as well as the others. I am on Enhanced AT, PS/2 mode.

ripster · 22 Apr 2011, 01:19

Not sure what's going on.

I just tried plugging in my Focus 2001 under PS/2 into my P8P67 motherboard and it came up fine. I'm typing on it now.

What cracks me up is although there are labeled cutouts for the AT-XT and Inverse-Normal switches there are no DIP Switches. It's a toggle in this version.

ALPS is kinda random.

This layout is hell.

Magna224 · 22 Apr 2011, 04:29

Its sad, I really love this keyboard.

ripster · 22 Apr 2011, 17:11

Sell it to a Korean Keyboard Kollector.

They'll buy ANYTHING.

Magna224 · 22 Apr 2011, 19:37

I want it to work and I want to use it though. =P
So nobody has any clue whats wrong with it?

Magna224 · 26 Apr 2011, 23:01

Could this diode be the problem? it looks like its barely on there.

ripster · 26 Apr 2011, 23:06

I doubt that's the trouble. Easy check with a continuity test on the multimeter or rig up a lightbulb/battery.

Some old keyboards just don't work any more. They become items of beauty like Beam Spring keyboards.

Magna224 · 03 May 2011, 23:40

Heres a new picture.

Nova · 04 May 2011, 07:46

Nice keyboard! I think FOCUS is pretty good for click switches.
Alps blue slider switch is one of my favorite.

Nova · 04 May 2011, 07:46

ripster wrote:Sell it to a Korean Keyboard Kollector.

They'll buy ANYTHING.

LOL