Xerox 820 II Keyboard (928-900451) Teardown

[hwood34]

Just recently got this board thanks to a bunch of help from nubbinator, thought I'd take it apart and post some pics.



This may have been the hardest case I've ever opened. The tabs that hold it together were insanely thick and hard to push in





For how incredibly big the case was, the PCB was actually relatively normally sized









Cap profile:


Stem Angling:


4 types of switches:









Black: on most keys, the lightest of the four
Brown: Heavier than black, lighter than pale blue; used for L/R shift and enter
Pale Blue: Heaviest, used for spacebar, del, esc, and feed.
Lock: used for Caps Lock; a modified black switch

Switch Internals:













From left to right: MX, Maxi, ALPS



The spacebar stab was insanely thick

[robturneranimation]

very cool! so are those caps cherry compatible?

[mr_a500]

Ah, Maxi Switch. That's not a bad switch. I've got some Kaypro Maxi Switch keyboards and I like them. I thought the Xerox 820 had Stackpole switches. Maxi Switch is way better.

It's strange that there are two date stickers on that PCB - one with a 1982 date, crossed out - and another with 1984.

Where's the the beauty shot, keyboard all cleaned and re-assembled?

[hwood34]

very cool! so are those caps cherry compatible?

Unfortunately not, the stem is too thick

Ah, Maxi Switch. That's not a bad switch. I've got some Kaypro Maxi Switch keyboards and I like them. I thought the Xerox 820 had Stackpole switches. Maxi Switch is way better.

It's strange that there are two date stickers on that PCB - one with a 1982 date, crossed out - and another with 1984.

Where's the the beauty shot, keyboard all cleaned and re-assembled?

Well, I'm all outta H202 and I have 2 projects in front of it But I'm on break this week so expect and update soon

[hwood34]

Maybe we could update the wiki?
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Maxi_Switch_vintage_linear

[dorkvader]

Maybe we could update the wiki?
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Maxi_Switch_vintage_linear

Update it with your firsthand info!

[hwood34]

Maybe we could update the wiki?
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Maxi_Switch_vintage_linear

Update it with your firsthand info!

oh my god I'm an idiot I needed to also log in on the wiki

[hwood34]

Alright, updated with the info. One question: how do I add in pictures? I've tried just adding the file and the imgur link, but I'm just not really sure about the code

[dorkvader]

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Help:Uploading_images

Fortunately for us, Mr Beardsmore made an easy guide.

[hwood34]

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Help:Uploading_images

Fortunately for us, Mr Beardsmore made an easy guide.

Ah, thanks. Pictures added

[hwood34]

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Maxi_Switch_vintage_linear
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Xerox_928-900451

[jacobolus]

I take it there are no photos with the board fully put together and all the keycaps on (except those from the ebay seller)? If you get around to fixing it up, getting it working, and putting it all back together, an "after" shot would be great.

[e.g. in the http://deskthority.net/wiki/Xerox_928-900451 wiki page, the “keycap profile” picture is somewhat misleading for someone who can’t see that the keycaps mount at an angle.]

In any event, thanks for making / adding to the wiki pages here!

[hwood34]

I take it there are no photos with the board fully put together and all the keycaps on (except those from the ebay seller)? If you get around to fixing it up, getting it working, and putting it all back together, an "after" shot would be great.

[e.g. in the http://deskthority.net/wiki/Xerox_928-900451 wiki page, the “keycap profile” picture is somewhat misleading for someone who can’t see that the keycaps mount at an angle.]

In any event, thanks for making / adding to the wiki pages here!

Yeah, I'm finishing up a few other projects, but I'll try and get some H202 and clean this thing up this week, probably a long ways away from getting it working But if anyone wants to take a stab at getting it working be my guest (your pay will be in gratitude ). And I'll try and add a picture of the keycap profile while mounted tomorrow

[mr_a500]

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Maxi_Switch_vintage_linear

Nice. That page looks so much better now.

[hwood34]

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Maxi_Switch_vintage_linear

Nice. That page looks so much better now.

Thanks! Hopefully I can contribute more eventually.

[donyn]

That's so awesome. How much did you get it for?

These older keyboards with weird caps are super interesting

[terrycherry]

I found Xerox 820-II with this X928 keyboard on ebay.
Who can buy it if necessary need it.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Rare-Xerox-820-I ... 2c9fdbeb8b

[seebart]

We had our little chat about "expensive" keyboards recently terrycherry, remember? US $1,156.99 ?!?!

[terrycherry]

Yes, just share the rare picture of this keyboard here. Becuase the topic author didn't share any information and another look of this keyboard.
http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=15
http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=487
http://www.digibarn.com/collections/sys ... index.html

[snuci]

Yes, just share the rare picture of this keyboard here. Becuase the topic author didn't share any information and another look of this keyboard.
http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=15
http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=487
http://www.digibarn.com/collections/sys ... index.html

I have a Xerox 820-II and a Xerox 8/16 but sadly, the 8/16 is missing the keyboard . Do you need better pics of the 820 II keyboard? The ones posted looked pretty good already.

[terrycherry]

Yes, just share the rare picture of this keyboard here. Becuase the topic author didn't share any information and another look of this keyboard.
http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=15
http://old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=487
http://www.digibarn.com/collections/sys ... index.html

I have a Xerox 820-II and a Xerox 8/16 but sadly, the 8/16 is missing the keyboard . Do you need better pics of the 820 II keyboard? The ones posted looked pretty good already.

Yes, I need more pictures about the keyboard. Your photo quality is better.^^
And the author assembled the pule blue switch only...

[hwood34]

If anyone is interested in this board I'm willing to let it go

[terrycherry]

Welcome home!!
If you give it to me for free ,I'm willing to pick it on.
You didn't try to make it work on PC?

[snuci]

hwood34 and I worked out a deal. I'm almost sure it will work with my Xerox 16/8 computer so it will be put to good use.

Thanks hwood34.