Keyboard Hack Help

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Posted by smp2112 on 7, 2001 at 6:10 PM:

I just found this site the other day and damn if it didn't open a can of worms!!!!! I decided to try and build a simple joystick control to use on my laptop (keyboard is too small for games and no game port). I have an old Packard Bell keyboard that I took apart in hopes of using it as a hack. The KB is from 1994 or so and has resided in the closet for at least 3 years. Now for my dillema the PCB in the KB is not the small type using a matrix formed by two mylar sheets, it is a full length board with physical connections for each key. I have links to two pics below. They are scans are of poor quality but i think you'll get the idea of what i'm dealing with.

Front of PCB:
hhttp://members.aol.com/smp2112/webpage/kb_front.gif

back of PCB, with chips and connector block for cord:
http://members.aol.com/smp2112/webpage/kb_back.gif

Can I use this for a KB hack? If so how do I make the connections to PCB from the NO connection on the microswitches of the buttons/joystick? Since each key contact is made of interlocking C's (see front picture) do I wire up both C's or just one?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide

Follow Ups:

Re: Keyboard Hack Help _gyruss_ 6/07/2001 (0)
Re: Keyboard Hack Help Rob Chambers 6/07/2001 (0)

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: I just found this site the other day and damn if it didn't open a can of worms!!!!! I decided to try and build a simple joystick control to use on my laptop (keyboard is too small for games and no game port). I have an old Packard Bell keyboard that I took apart in hopes of using it as a hack. The KB is from 1994 or so and has resided in the closet for at least 3 years. Now for my dillema the PCB in the KB is not the small type using a matrix formed by two mylar sheets, it is a full length board with physical connections for each key. I have links to two pics below. They are scans are of poor quality but i think you'll get the idea of what i'm dealing with. : Front of PCB: : hhttp://members.aol.com/smp2112/webpage/kb_front.gif : back of PCB, with chips and connector block for cord: : http://members.aol.com/smp2112/webpage/kb_back.gif : Can I use this for a KB hack? If so how do I make the connections to PCB from the NO connection on the microswitches of the buttons/joystick? Since each key contact is made of interlocking C's (see front picture) do I wire up both C's or just one? : Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide

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