IBM 5324 Model F Keyboard (System/23 Datamaster "floortop" keyboard)

[fricked]

This is not a bigfoot. This is the keyboard for the System/23 Datamasters that did not have integrated keyboards. Very similar physically to the bigfoot but the 5324 has a bigger forehead.




More pics

Spoiler:

Keyboard One:

Spoiler:

top is f xt










cleaned up real nice








4429669 8130
Z0 P A 866411
Intel '77
L1324455

8273565
IBM 9314
1 F25 2260





561 6646...
BP 870976TS
X 8301 S MALAYSIA

158 2604
0G 851380
8246EG SINGAPORE

Keyboard Two:

Spoiler:

feet

Spoiler:

the feet in second one have metal screw into insert like so


but the other one i twist real hard and doesnt go


good as new - -

Conversion

Spoiler:

The goal is to remove the Secondary PCB and convert the keyboard by interfacing with the Primary PCB (the one with all the keys and the Intel chip).

Here is what I have mapped out of the original pcbs so far (open image in new tab to zoom in):



I am guessing this is 8-bit parallel output; that bigger chip on Secondary PCB probably just inverts them or something. But so far I can't get it to output anything. In fact, the controller is usually not even scanning the keys. Presumably I need to do something with pins Orange and Babyblue. Maybe some kind of clock? It would be epic if the chips had any useful markings.

I tried powering mystery driver chip directly with 5v but it just holds pins Orange and Babyblue high.


Update

Great info at:
http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/system ... _Dec80.pdf
http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/ ... _May82.pdf
explains the mystery pins.
Made some progress but lost motivation - the service manual implies that the original brain makes it so that some keys can't be held, some are "typamatic", etc.

Instead I rebrain with new QMK xwhatsit controller:



Put in a solenoid too because no keyboard is ever loud enough

Update 2023-06-11: added 'Conversion' section. added more detailed controller photos to 'More pics'->'Keyboard One'.

Update 2023-06-17: restored and converted. Added more pics everywhere

[TNT]

nice

[John Doe]

Hell ears damaged

[Muirium]

Ah, the Bigfoot. The classiest keyboard cover ever made.


viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8956&p=189696&hilit=cover#p189696

The cable on yours comes out at a different spot on the back, though. Probably a design improvement for ease of access to the 60% storage compartment.

[sharktastica]

Ah, the Bigfoot. The classiest keyboard cover ever made.

The cable on yours comes out at a different spot on the back, though. Probably a design improvement for ease of access to the 60% storage compartment.

This is a different bigfoot. The one you pictured with the three-setting feet are IBM 5291/5292 keyboards, this one is the keyboard for the non all-in-one version of the Datamaster. OP's one has just a single long foot and slightly larger bezels. Similar vibe though.

[TNT]

I didn't even know there were different versions of the bigfoot F. Which one is rarer?

[fricked]

Update:

Beginning conversion attempt (updated original post; see 'Conversion' section). Seeking any ideas for how to continue.

Worst case ontario I can just stick an xwhatsit onto the conveniently placed test points on the rows and columns. If I take this route, do I need to remove the original chips to avoid frying them? With how rare these keyboards are I do not want to be destructive



EDIT:
Silly me I forgot the Internet is a thing. Seems this keyboard assembly minus the daughterboard is identical to that of the 5322 Datamaster.

This gem is out there: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/system ... _Dec80.pdf

Has the pinout of the keyboard pcb - exactly what I need.
I played around for a couple min and seems this will work. Will update more

[fricked]

Update (probably last one) (added more pics and stuff to original post):

Finished restoration

Gave up trying to convert the protocol because the og controller has limitations anyway. Instead I put QMK xwhatsit and solenoid

And finally, a side by side with a bigfoot:



That extra inch gives me so much joy

[pyrelink]

Great work! They look super clean.

[John Doe]

Bigger head's bigfoot

[Muirium]

BigFoot Plus. It’s deluxe. Also: you’re gonna need a bigger desk.