Face U/MX-mini U replica knowledge base

[DanielT]

It's the same, we flash both hope I'm not mistaken

[chzel]

And one question : what is the difference between what we do here and the work done when we update teensys ? Do we flash both ?

Yes we flash (as in "upload firmware to the microcontrollers flash memory") both, but in this case we flash it using flash (the application)!

[Igthorn]

bootmapper client (but it's really just the swf with an exe to make it standalone)
http://winkeyless.kr/155

[MrMen]

So if I don't missunderstand, the only problem is that we flash it with flash ?
Using the link I gave in my previous post allow you to flash using a non flash application.

[DanielT]

Yep, that's the standalone tool
Some hate Adobe Flash, that's the only problem, I don't care, I don't flash the board every day

[chzel]

I haven't received the board yet, so I didn't really research, but from what I understand, you use the flash application to create the hex file for the keymap, and then a standalone exe to flash (burn) it!

[DanielT]

For the .hex you can use the Flash or the standalone exe. For flashing the new keymap HIDBootFlash.exe is used.

[MrMen]

But bad news, for the moment without looking too much, wine and HIBBootFlash.exe cannot find my keyboard…

[chzel]

For the .hex you can use the Flash or the standalone exe.

Good to know! Need to read a bit more on this!

[DanielT]

But bad news, for the moment without looking too much, wine and HIBBootFlash.exe cannot find my keyboard…

If it's like for the Teensy you need to give more access rights for the keyboard (usb device), have to check myself, I'm just rambling from memory now

[MrMen]

I haven't do this a lot, but you mean that we could have to create a new udev rules ?

[Igthorn]

But bad news, for the moment without looking too much, wine and HIBBootFlash.exe cannot find my keyboard…

http://www.obdev.at/products/vusb/bootloadhid.html

You can compile a native linux version of the cli tool. Afaik, they haven't made any changes to the tools (crc of hidbootflash.exe/bootloadhid.exe from ps2avrU downloads matches the ones from the official downloads hidbootflash,bootloadhid).

[MrMen]

I have just recompile software with linux (little warning…), took my hhkb-style firmware and ^^
So doing it with linux is really easy.

[beltet]

After som use I have few thing to say.
- In http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58945.0 the flash utility works well (on Windows). I must look about Linux.
- I forgot my stabs when I built the board. If you have the same issue, stabs around space can be inserted easily removing one of the feet of the stab. Just sand down this one more or less and inserting it first will allow you having stabs.

And one question : what is the difference between what we do here and the work done when we update teensys ? Do we flash both ?

On a Teensy(Atmega32u4) you can use Soarers firmware(soarer made his firmware for ATmega32u4 and a few others), and in that you just upload a file to the teensy and dont flash the whole chip.
It depends on what firmware you are using, not the chip.

[DanielT]

The standard procedure to flash the board is a nobrainer, just done that and if you follow the procedure in OP it works perfect.
One good news, one can use the built in configuration tool, and it works in Linux and Win: Open a text editor, press LSHIFT+LCTRL+LALT+RSHIFT for 5sec, release after that and you get the configuration tool menu:

Code: Select all

ps2avrU

select mode
1:macro
2:key mapper
3:lazy fn : off
4:fn2 led : off
5:esc to ~ : off
7:exit
9:boot mapper
>>

Now I have to play with that :d but that means that you can program the board directly, no flash no exe. It does not seem an easy task thou....

[HzFaq]

Is FN3 Toggle not working for anyone else or am I doing something silly? I can get FN2 toggle to work but FN3 toggle only seems to be momentary...

[DanielT]

I never was interested in FN3 have to test on mine. It might be related to lazy Fn being active or not.

[HzFaq]

I'll just switch layer 2 and 3 I think, bit of a PITA but editing/flashing is easy enough using the web app thingy. It'll give me something to do watching the football later I guess.

I do need to have a play with the lazy FN thing aswell as I've been getting some strange keypresses and I'm not sure if they're firmware related or dodgy switch related. I've got FN+space mapped to backspace, but about half the time after backspacing I get an extra unwanted space...like I said, I don't know if this is a lazy FN symptom or a chattering switch or something (first time I've used clicky switches so I guess it could also be that).

[beltet]

is it only me or is someone else having problem to fit a ISO layout with the plate?
The plate dosent fit the iso enter with stabs

[Nuum]

I think you are right. The switch hole is 0.25u too far on the left as well, I think, but I maybe I'm overlooking something. I just tested it on mine, which is not yet assembled.

On the other hand HzFaq built a ISO FaceU, but perhaps without plate:

Got mine today as well, typing on it as we speak. I'll get some pics up tomorrow, but overall I'm really happy with this.

edit -

[beltet]

I think you are right. The switch hole is 0.25u too far on the left as well, I think, but I maybe I'm overlooking something. I just tested it on mine, which is not yet assembled.

On the other hand HzFaq built a ISO FaceU, but perhaps without plate:

Spoiler:

Got mine today as well, typing on it as we speak. I'll get some pics up tomorrow, but overall I'm really happy with this.

edit -

yeah it seems like its 0.25. I will have to cut the plate to fit it, so the ISO enter is the only key thats not plate mounted. I'm a little sorry for that...

[HzFaq]

Yeah, I'm plateless, sorry.

I can try and get a pic of the switch location if you want? I have to admit, it took me a little while to figure out the stab positioning.

edit - Don't have a decent light source (or camera for that matter) so it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

[beltet]

Yeah, I'm plateless, sorry.

I can try and get a pic of the switch location if you want? I have to admit, it took me a little while to figure out the stab positioning.

Thanks for a fast answer!
If you can that would be great, but you only use 2 stabs right? I'm going for the same layout as you do.
For my build I have to cut the plate, luckily I have my dremel .

EDIT:
Aaaand done!

[Nuum]

Unfortunately that's no solution for me, I don't have a dremel. Also I'd like my ISO enter to be supported at least a little bit. Maybe we should contact Tinnie about that problem.

[tinnie]

Okay, I will send a replacement. All plates got the same problem....

[jessa]

I hope you're not making a loss on these tinnie, especially after the licensing saga with Sprit! I for one have no need for ISO so please don't send me a replacement! My alu plate was a bit scratched up, but I have plans to sand and paint mine so it doesn't matter

[quantalume]

I'm planning an ISO build, so it would be nice to have the corrected plate at some point. I'm in no hurry though, and I'm willing to send more money if you need it to break even. Hey, maybe there are some ANSI folks who decided they want a plate after all...

[macmakkara]

It would be nice to have iso plate at some point when granite is shipped. but planning to do hybrid layout with ansi enter and Iso extrakey next to left shift.
Im also ok to send extra if needed.

[Nuum]

Okay, I will send a replacement. All plates got the same problem....

That would be very nice, maybe this time without bends in the plate. If you need extra funds to pay for that, i'd be willing to send some to you.

Concerning space bar stab: Do I need a straight stab wire? I have only stab wires (from PCB mount and plate mount stabs) with a bend in the middle, which I can't seem to fit between the plate and the PCB. Has anybody else that problem?
If I really need a straight wire, where would I get one?

[DanielT]

Concerning space bar stab: Do I need a straight stab wire? I have only stab wires (from PCB mount and plate mount stabs) with a bend in the middle, which I can't seem to fit between the plate and the PCB. Has anybody else that problem?
If I really need a straight wire, where would I get one?

This is strange, there should not be any issue with the stab wires and the plate. For 6.25u the wire is bent in the middle, but you must mount the stab so that the wire sits on top. It's exactly the opposite as for the other stabs like in this picture:

Spoiler: