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New Product: The $19.95 KeyWiz Eco 2

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Tiger-Heli:
Well, the way you really want to do this is to solder an IDE header on the board and then either run cut hard drive cables or run a cut HD cable into CAT5, DB25, DB36, or Molex connectors.  This is a cheaper solution, and avoids all possible problems.

--- Quote from: mahuti on November 17, 2004, 03:23:53 am ---I don't know much about PS/2 cables (sorry I'm more of a USB guy)... As long as one is plugged in when the computer is started, I can hot swap them later right?

--- End quote ---
The basic answer is yes, but it's not recommended.  Theoretically, you have +5V and Ground both going through that connection and you could create a short and blow the motherboard fuse disabling the PS/2 port.  Having said that, I and others have done it hundreds of times, and I have never heard of anyone having a problem with it.

Here's more info from my keyboard hacks page:

The simplest solution is to hot-swap between your computer keyboard and your keyboard hack.  I asked Andy Warne about this and he said that theoretically there is a danger in this, but he had done it at least a hundred times setting up the I-PAC and never had any problems.  I also had tried it several times with no problems before I asked him.  Digi-Key  (among others) sells an M-F keyboard extension cable which will allow you to do this without crawling around behind the computer.

Also:

Tip: if a keyboard hack goes wrong, i.e., the 5 volt supply is grounded, the motherboard keyboard port will appear to have died instantly.  This is because most motherboards supply the 5 volts through a tiny fuse which blows rather easily. While expensive to professionally replace, the fuse can pretty safely be wired across, saving an apparently useless board.  Keep in mind that this now leaves the other areas of the motherboard vulnerable, so if the original problem is not corrected or another faulty keyboard hack is connected, more extensive damage may occur.  Also, many A-Open brand motherboards use a resettable circuit breaker in lieu of a fuse on the keyboard and USB ports.  While A-Open typically offers a good selection of features per dollar and their boards have been well-rated in most reviews, I would not recommend buying a motherboard solely because of this feature. However, if you like their products, this is something to consider and maybe something to look for in other manufacturer

mahuti:
Hey thanks for the information.

I have swappable panels right now that use a 36 pin connector, but the insertion force is too high for my taste. Plus I'm lazy and I don't care too much about cheap... with this hobby there are some things I can go cheap on, and others I'd rather put money in. If I could spend $80 to buy 4 of these and simply connect a PS/2 cable every time I swapped them, I'd be a happy camper.

Can't connect a trackball & spinner to these though (right?) So I guess I'm out, now that I think about it.

Hoagie_one:
does that mean there is going to be a close out sale on Eco 1's?

Tiger-Heli:

--- Quote from: mahuti on November 17, 2004, 07:39:08 am ---I have swappable panels right now that use a 36 pin connector, but the insertion force is too high for my taste.

--- End quote ---
I assume you mean molex connectors - DB36's have very little insertion force and are quick if you don't attach the thumbscrews.  (If they don't fall apart).  CAT5 is simple and quick also, but you would probably need 4 per panel . . .

--- Quote ---If I could spend $80 to buy 4 of these and simply connect a PS/2 cable every time I swapped them, I'd be a happy camper.

--- End quote ---
You can do that.

--- Quote ---Can't connect a trackball & spinner to these though (right?) So I guess I'm out, now that I think about it.

--- End quote ---
Well (I really wish this were in a different thread) - if $80 for four Eco's isn't out of the ballpark, I suppose you could spend $120 for four Ultimarc Mini-PACs and have the trackball and inputs on one USB cable like you prefer.

That said, I would think you might have dual spinner or dual trackball panels and a minipac can only control one trackball.  (And you're paying extra for unused capability on your SF panel.)

Another option is to use the Eco2's and use either an opti-pac or www.oscarcontrols.com's USB mouse hack for your trackball, but then you have a PS/2 and at least one USB cable to connect per panel, if that's a problem.

Tritoch84:
Jeez, you guys must be RICH or something! This is fantastic news! I was going to make my parents a vantage desktop cab, but came into a hnagout over to blow alot of money (for me) on a encoder, or learn to do a keyboard hack.

This is GREAT news, and with the computer i'm messing with (which predates USB by a longshot) the hookups are great! I'm picking one up, I can tell you that.

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