Apple/prewindows 95 keyboard on the PCE

BigusSchmuck · 10/25/2012, 10:05 AM

How hard would it be to get a keyboard to work on the pce/turbo? I know the old Apple keyboards can hook up to the duo via the mini din (haven't tried it yet lol) and maybe a old pre windows 95 pc keyboard might work but if I'm going to move ahead with porting some dos games I know for a fact that there are a good portion of them that require you to use more than 8 buttons on six button controller especially old sim games. Hell it looked like there was a protype at some point:
http://nfggames.com/games/pce_protos/

Arkhan Asylum · 10/25/2012, 10:10 AM

It's an interesting thought to be able to use a Model M keyboard with Ultima II on PCE.

Do it.

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/25/2012, 10:26 AM

I doubt a standard PC keyboard would work, but a keyboard is possible. From Chris:

Quote from: ccovell on 10/13/2012, 11:56 AMBy the way, that "IBM PC Keyboard" was in fact a prototype PCE keyboard modified from the NEC PC-8801 computer. The Tsushin Booster software actually has routines that detect button presses on this unreleased keyboard.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/25/2012, 10:28 AM

I wouldn't be surprised if an old serial keyboard with the big honkey DIN on it was about the same as a PC-88 keyboard.

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/25/2012, 11:01 AM

Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 10/25/2012, 10:28 AMI wouldn't be surprised if an old serial keyboard with the big honkey DIN on it was about the same as a PC-88 keyboard.

It wouldn't surprise me either, but you'll note that Chris said the 8801 keyboard was modified, which I assumed meant 'modified to output signal the PCE could understand'.

BigusSchmuck · 10/25/2012, 11:01 AM

Quote from: guest on 10/25/2012, 10:28 AMI wouldn't be surprised if an old serial keyboard with the big honkey DIN on it was about the same as a PC-88 keyboard.

Those were my thoughts, I probably should see if I have some old BIG DIN keyboards at work in our lovely boneyard. It wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if there were some still floating around from the old pacboards for our point of sale units...

Arkhan Asylum · 10/25/2012, 01:56 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 10/25/2012, 11:01 AM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 10/25/2012, 10:28 AMI wouldn't be surprised if an old serial keyboard with the big honkey DIN on it was about the same as a PC-88 keyboard.
It wouldn't surprise me either, but you'll note that Chris said the 8801 keyboard was modified, which I assumed meant 'modified to output signal the PCE could understand'.

Right, I misinterpreted what you said.

Either keyboard (PC88 or sweet ass AT Model M) is probably easily modifiable to work on a PCE.

HercTNT · 10/26/2012, 02:33 AM

personally i would love to have a keyboard and mouse for my duo. turn it into a 16-bit computer. have a slimmed down operating system that loaded off of cd. I know i'm pipe dreaming here, but i would use it.

Ji-L87 · 10/26/2012, 07:07 AM

Quote from: HercTNT on 10/26/2012, 02:33 AMpersonally i would love to have a keyboard and mouse for my duo. turn it into a 16-bit computer. have a slimmed down operating system that loaded off of cd. I know i'm pipe dreaming here, but i would use it.

Really like that idea.
Maybe you could have the OS or so on HuCard instead and then load different software and games through CD? : ) Since you can remove a CD when the unit is running, but not a HuCard. That would be sweet.

Arkhan Asylum · 10/26/2012, 09:45 AM

Quote from: HercTNT on 10/26/2012, 02:33 AMpersonally i would love to have a keyboard and mouse for my duo. turn it into a 16-bit computer. have a slimmed down operating system that loaded off of cd. I know i'm pipe dreaming here, but i would use it.

at that point, it would be a 8 bit computer, really. lol.

If you want to do that, seriously, just get an Apple IIC. It's got the same CPU in it basically.

Sure the graphics look like wang, but its not that bad!

esteban · 10/27/2012, 06:10 AM

DON'T HEAD DOWN THE WRONG PATH!

You should be modifying a LIGHT PEN to work on the PCE. That would infuse a spicy breath of life to the old DOS games you are porting.

You are welcome.

CrackTiger · 10/28/2012, 10:48 AM

Quote from: esteban on 10/27/2012, 06:10 AMDON'T HEAD DOWN THE WRONG PATH!

You should be modifying a LIGHT PEN to work on the PCE. That would infuse a spicy breath of life to the old DOS games you are porting.

You are welcome.

You mean like the Illust Booster?

BigusSchmuck · 10/28/2012, 12:56 PM

Another question, as anyone tried to plugin a keyboard to see what happens? I'm almost half tempted to get a cheap PCE Core unit for testing purposes as I'm not so sure plugging in a strange device into my duos will cause the port to go whacko.

esteban · 10/28/2012, 02:15 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/28/2012, 10:48 AM
Quote from: esteban on 10/27/2012, 06:10 AMDON'T HEAD DOWN THE WRONG PATH!

You should be modifying a LIGHT PEN to work on the PCE. That would infuse a spicy breath of life to the old DOS games you are porting.

You are welcome.
You mean like the Illust Booster?

No, Illustration Booster was a tablet for a pen:

I want a friggin' LIGHT PEN to use on a CRT screen. You know you want one, too, CrackTiger

I know the hardware gurus here could whip something up (a nice prototype), and then the homebrew software folks would help write a driver/software for it.

I can dream!

BigusSchmuck · 10/28/2012, 02:26 PM

Quote from: esteban on 10/28/2012, 02:15 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/28/2012, 10:48 AM
Quote from: esteban on 10/27/2012, 06:10 AMDON'T HEAD DOWN THE WRONG PATH!

You should be modifying a LIGHT PEN to work on the PCE. That would infuse a spicy breath of life to the old DOS games you are porting.

You are welcome.
You mean like the Illust Booster?
No, Illustration Booster was a tablet for a pen:

I want a friggin' LIGHT PEN to use on a CRT screen. You know you want one, too, CrackTiger

I know the hardware gurus here could whip something up (a nice prototype), and then the homebrew software folks would help write a driver/software for it.

I can dream!

If we can get a usb to mini din I got a bunch of old topaz signature pads we could try out. Could be interesting hmm...

Keranu · 10/28/2012, 04:28 PM

There's guides online for making a homemade Vectrex light pen. Would that help?

HercTNT · 11/12/2012, 10:27 AM

Quote from: Ji-L87 on 10/26/2012, 07:07 AM
Quote from: HercTNT on 10/26/2012, 02:33 AMpersonally i would love to have a keyboard and mouse for my duo. turn it into a 16-bit computer. have a slimmed down operating system that loaded off of cd. I know i'm pipe dreaming here, but i would use it.
Really like that idea.
Maybe you could have the OS or so on HuCard instead and then load different software and games through CD? : ) Since you can remove a CD when the unit is running, but not a HuCard. That would be sweet.

Sorry for the late reply. Your idea is better. Have a "Turbo OS" on a flash card and load games, music, pics etc from cd. Arkhan, the apple iic Can't even remotly compete with the turbo graphics and audio wise. Once again, I realize that turning a turbo into a pc would be a pipe dream, but it would crush the apple with a thunderous belly laugh. I would use it to. would love to see turbo's world wide linked via internet with there own operating systems.