IBM Model M 1386303

[taylorswiftttttt]

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[ohaimark]

I think your theory is spot on. The original internals were probably so beaten up that Lexmark just dropped new guts in.

[taylorswiftttttt]

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[emdude]

Since I don't see any original parts, it could also be that Lexmark manufactured a special order of these for a customer. It has been documented that 1390131s (also one of the original AT-PS/2 Model Ms and discontinued in the late 80s) were made all the way up to 1996!

Here's one relevant thread: keyboards-f2/nib-ibm-model-m-1390131-ma ... t1878.html

[HAL]

The label on the back side says it all: FRU stands for Field Replacement Unit.

Lexmark was reuqired by contract to provide replacement parts. So this is probably a keyboard from 1996. The early Model M keyboards from 1985 and 1986 had a small styrofoam part under the metal plate. This was later replaced by a plastic pole reaching up from the bottom shell.

IBM Model M terminal 1386303 from 1985-06-13 with polyester support for keyboard assembly

IBM_Model_M_terminal_1386303_19850613_polyester_support_for_keyboard_assembly_1920x1080.jpg (270.03 KiB) Viewed 9169 times

IBM Model M terminal 1386303 from 1985-06-13 polyester part supporting keyboard assembly

IBM_Model_M_terminal_1386303_19850613_support_for_keyboard_assembly_1920x1080.jpg (317.77 KiB) Viewed 9169 times

IBM Model M terminal 1392595 from 1987-06-16 bottom shell with pole for keyboard support

IBM_Model_M_terminal_1392595_19870616_bottom_shell_1920x1080.jpg (282.7 KiB) Viewed 9169 times

Nevertheless very rare specimen.

[taylorswiftttttt]

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[HAL]

... That sucks that it isn't a legit one ...

Don't get me wrong your 1986303 is absolutely legit. It just not that old. To my knowledge Lexmark was producing their keyboards on the same place and machines where IBM did. Some people switched from IBM to Lexmark without ever changing desks. Later Lexmark was sold to Unicomp who are still on the same location.

I also scored a real silver label made in 1987, and that ones pretty interesting too. I'll take pictures soon.

Can't wait for the pictures.

[micrex22]

I should probably chime in here: Lexmark (and IBM) would routinely refurbish normal Model Ms and convert them into terminal based units for corporate clients. Which accounts for the following:
*mismatched keycaps
*poor tension on the barrel assembly when it's re-made with extra springs
*occasionally *painting over* the original beige plastic with identical beige paint

FRU doesn't have anything to do with it, though (FRU simply means a discreet part that can be replaced in an IBM system, and in this instance the whole keyboard is only considered a 'FRU' when it's assembled for a specific purpose). FRUs for normal Model Ms and terminal Model Ms are different as a result. So it would get a 'FRU change' after being reassembled into a terminal board.

What's actually more telling is when you get an orange' serviceable used part' sticker, IBM has been using them since the 80's and continues to use them to this day on Lenovo parts they handle for Lenovo.

[Mr.Nobody]

Glad to know that no one accuse you for openning a new thread talking about Buckling-spring keyboards...When I did this weeks ago I got bombardment you could ask fohat and seebart for info, they are experts on IBM keyboards, I am really curious about what you gonna do with that blue switch 3187 terminal board.

[seebart]

Glad to know that no one accuse you for openning a new thread talking about Buckling-spring keyboards...When I did this weeks ago I got bombardment you could ask fofat and seebart for info, they are experts on IBM keyboards, I am really curious about what you gonna do with that blue switch 3187 terminal board.

I am not a IBM expert and we do have a pretty good search function.

[taylorswiftttttt]

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[seebart]

We are "chill"! For some strange reason the cases on those 3178 are not as sturdy as most other F's especially the XT, you should be happy yours is undamaged. I never had a closer look at my 3178 like I did with my 3104 but the keycaps are nice with the lower case:

IMG_20160513_165739.jpg (967.33 KiB) Viewed 8995 times

[fohat]

I don't think I can clean the keycaps without an ultrasonic cleaner

A soak in hot water and powdered laundry detergent often works wonders. You might be surprised.

In my opinion, laundry detergent is much better than dish soap.

[XMIT]

I don't think I can clean the keycaps without an ultrasonic cleaner

A soak in hot water and powdered laundry detergent often works wonders. You might be surprised.

In my opinion, laundry detergent is much better than dish soap.

I find that unscented dishwasher detergent works best but laundry detergent probably works as well.

[webwit]

Soap is soap. It's chemistry.

[taylorswiftttttt]

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[fohat]

I have cleaned many dozens of set of key caps, and there have only been a couple of occasions where hand cleaning was necessary.

I use a spoonful of powdered laundry detergent (I like Charlie's natural) and half a spoonful of "Oxi-" (or Biz or similar) in a liter of hot water. 20 minutes of soak followed by a good triple rinse with a colander is entirely adequate 95% of the time.

[Mr.Nobody]

oops. I guess I'll try laundry detergent instead of dish soap. And its not that I can't clean the keycaps, its that I'm so burnt out of cleaning keyboards.

Yes it's laborious, nobody enjoys doing that drudgery, I've manually cleaned up a dozen keyboards and their caps, I don't want to do it any more...An ultrasonic cleaner costs 20-30 UD$ here, rather cheap, if I have a lot of keycaps need to be cleaned up, surely I will buy one...

EDIT
In fact, I am pondering/struggling upon what kind of ordeal I have to go through converting this bad boy into a useable daily driver...

[XMIT]

Soap is soap. It's chemistry.

Not quite. There are surfactants, there are enzymatic cleaners, there are whitening agents, and so on. Each soap is a work of chemical engineering geared to some application.

Chyros can maybe explain better than I can.

[XMIT]

In fact, I am pondering/struggling upon what kind of ordeal I have to go through converting this [IBM 3778 Model F keyboard] into a useable daily driver...

Either a protocol converter (not sure if TMK supports this one) or an xwhatsit board will do. xwhatsit is the better choice. Search around on this forum for more information.

[alh84001]

seebart shared the link to the only working converter for it - workshop-f7/ibm-3278-keyboard-to-ps-2-i ... =converter

Other than that, it's an xwhatsit+adapter(strongly recommended)+solenoid driver(optional). orihalcon has all of these.

We ought to wikify that once.

[Mr.Nobody]

@ XMIT and alh84001

Thanks guys, yes seebart PMed me the links yesterday, I almost know what I need and need to do, still it's terrifying to a non-geek like me...If I get a blue switch...I probably will let somebody else who has the knowledge and skill to convert it for me...I have just found two guys providing this kind of service...but is it worth the trouble, I just read the old thread "XT vs. AT" maybe an XT is more worth doing...or maybe just try harder to find more ATs, I can't get a kishsaver anyway...not a single trace of it at all over here...

[wyatt8740]

Hey, I'm sorry to bump this thread, but I have a 1386303 (and the IBM terminal it's meant for), so I can shed some more light on this than already has been in this thread.

You're right about pretty much everything you said, first of all.
The keycaps are likely original; IBM's successors to this initial board, like the 3151 (yeah, that came after the 3161) had the numpad symbols in black just like the numbers – probably to reduce costs. Caps lock was likely just a goof that passed inspection by luck. I've never seen anything but the 3161 or 3163 have gray printing on the numpad.

My '87-made 1386303 (label here) has the same controller board, it would appear:


To use it with a PC, you could swap out the controller board for one from a PC model M. You may be able to just ask Unicomp for a replacement controller board (P.N. 1398012 works, and was used in my 1391401 keyboard).

I still play around with my 3161 terminal, though, so I usually leave it with the original controller.

Those external terminal keyboard converters should also work; a standard 6-pin DIN female connector should serve as a plug to connect your board into, since it doesn't use the normal 5 pin DIN arrangement like AT boards do. You'll need an active adapter if you take the external route.

My board does indeed have the stabilizer on its numpad enter key. But horizontal 2U keys do not.




Another controller board pic


It should be easy to verify my theory that the keycaps are original. if they are, they will probably have the earlier Model F style stems.

Older stems, as used in the F:

Newer stems, as used by at least 1993 (maybe earlier) and up to present day:


A difference between boards meant for a 3161 vs. a 3163 is that the keys are one-piece on the 3161 (except for F, J, and keypad 5), where almost all are two-piece on the 3163's. Your board should have one piece caps.