lk201 question - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

28 Feb 2005

The LK201-BA is a standard LK201-AA with keycaps to use with 
the DEC WPS operating system.  If it's working correctly, it 
works fine as a standard keyboard.  The "Orange" PF1 key was 
GOLD when it left the factory.  Hence the various WPS versions
were known as "GOLD KEY" word processing.  Most commonly, 
those keyboards were sold with the DECmate II & III (PDP-8 
based) personal computers.  

Dale

...

 From: Paul Koning <pkoning at equallogic.com>
 Date: 2005/02/28 Mon PM 12:37:32 EST
 To: cctalk at classiccmp.org
 CC: (Unparsable address -- End of addresses in middle of :...;
 	group: "General Discussion:On-Topic and Off-Topic
 	Posts<cctalk at classiccmp.org>_^_")
 Subject: Re: lk201 question

 >>>> "Kevin" == Kevin Handy
<kth at srv.net> writes:  
  Kevin> Mike wrote:
 > I just picked up a lk201 keyboard today that
wouldn't work with a
> vt320
> 
> Unlike my other lk201's this one has blue strip across the top, an
> orange pf1 key, f20 is labeled Hyph Push
> 
> PN: LK201BA
> 
> One site selling them says it is a word processing keyboard.
> 
>    Kevin> There were several word processing keyboards, depending on
  Kevin> which software you were using. DecWord, WordPerfect,
  Kevin> All-In-One, etc.

 I doubt that DEC ever made keyboards for WordPerfect.  And I haven't
 heard of All-In-One keyboards either.  The keyboard Mike mentioned is
 a DECword keyboard.

  Kevin> Check the keyboard-terminal cable. Check for stuck keys.

 One possibility: you could make an adapter to plug it into a UART
 port, then write a test program to see what's wrong with it.  The
 protocol is simple (4800 baud 8 bit messages) and well documented in
 the Pro 300 series technical manual.

 Then again, if it's a stuck key or something like that, the keyboard
 is beyond repair.  LK201 keyboards are cheesy low quality membrane
 switches that cannot be disassembled or cleaned or repaired.  If
 moisture ever gets in them, your only option is to scrap the board.  I
 found this out the hard way.

       paul