IBM XT 5160 Keyboard issues

Eric Smith spacewar at gmail.com
Sun Dec 18 00:45:53 CST 2016


On Sat, Dec 17, 2016 at 11:02 PM, Fred Cisin <cisin at xenosoft.com> wrote:

> On Sat, 17 Dec 2016, Josh Dersch wrote:
>
>> Model M keyboards are AT-style keyboards, they won't work with an XT
>> (different protocol).  You will need to find a PC/XT compatible keyboard to
>> use.
>>
>
> exactly.
>
> The original IBM PC/XT keyboard is a buckling spring.
> So, if/when you find one, it will at least feel like a model M.
>

IBM PC, PC/XT and original (84-key) PC/AT keyboards were Model F, which was
buckling spring with capacitive sensing.
IBM PC/AT enhanced (101 key) and many PS/2keyboards were Model M, which was
buckling spring with membrane (electrical contact).

Almost all non-IBM PC keyboards, even if they were expensive, were cheap
crap. Northgate was a notable exception, though they did offer some in the
"cheap crap" category also.


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