Ancient Keyboard Project

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 13:18

I have just got hold of this 'Acorn Electron' Keyboard which was part of an old computer (See picture).
I was wondering if it is possible to make this into a USB keyboard for novelty reasons. Just a small project I wouldn't mind doing to keep me busy.
If anyone has any help on how to do this and what I will need, I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 14:57

lrlcr said:
Buy a new cheap usb keyboard and transplant the internals?

Sounds like a good idea but.........
I think the biggest problem I am going to face is with the keys. I need to link up all the keys to their functions.
But I will bear your thought in mind.

Cheers 'lrlcr'

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 14:58

Liquiduk said:
seems the most logical way.

On a side note I like your creativity with the idea, I want to see this taken to the next level with the first ever basic desktop turned gaming beast!

Cheers mate

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 16:46

Anyone know if it is possible to connect a USB connector somewhere on here or not? :S

To tell you the truth, i'm stumped at the moment, and cant think of how to do this.

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 17:05

Disco Boy said:
Is that not a ps/2 connector? Why can't you just use an adaptor and plug it in to your PC?
I've had many keyboards which go usb- ps/2 so I don't see why it wouldn't work the other way around?!

No, its RGB, and Cassette. I have done more research, and it looks like this piece of equipment is actually the whole computer with a full 32KB of RAM :O

I really would like to get this to a working keyboard state

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 18:43

wilko49 said:
Write an assembler routine to read the keyboard, then send the correct pulses to whatever output port runs the same frequency and voltage. Use a BBC Micro emulator to work on - not sure how you'd load it in without tapes / 5" floppies, but the ROM might be flashable.

Right, reading what you said, your on about writing a routing and using an emulator. Why would I need to do this if I just was to use this as a keyboard?
Basically Somehow I have got to get it so it runs via USB and can go into any computers USB port, for example my windows 7 machine (Just a novelty keyboard).

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 19:09

I see.........Im not knowledgeable in this type of coding so it doesn't make a lot of sense. Is there a video/demonstration of how to do something like this. It may then be easier for me to understand.
Thanks

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 21:48

Tonester007 said:
Get yourself one of these instead:
http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx

They seem awesome, but it wasn't my choice what to get. I just found this and decided to try and make a novelty keyboard.

Dokinator · 16 May 2011 at 22:14

Tomsk said:
You shouldn't need to use an emulator.
When powered up the Electron boots into a command line mode, from which BASIC programs can be written. BBC BASIC was (probably still is) one of the best implementations of the langauage and includes a full assembler. BBC BASIC (and the assembler) could access virtually any part of the Electron hardware.
I suspect that the bare PCB connections at the back, could be programmed by reading and writing to the correct memory locations.

If you want to know more about BBC BASIC try here - http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/

Also don't wreck the Electron, it looks to be in VGC and could probably be sold.

Cheers for that advice mate. I think the only way I would consider converting this to a keyboard now would be to do a transplant with the insides but, as you said its in VGC so may be worth selling it.........
Will keep you all updated.
If anyone has any further help, please post.

Dok

Dokinator · 17 May 2011 at 07:26

Not really, I don't see how I can test it without actually doing what I was going to do and getting it working.

And 'Ubergeek'...
Not awesome how your looking at it, Awesome in the respect of how old they are and that it would be al laugh to have a play on