Need Help Using a Proprietary Laptop Keyboard on a Custom Computer?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SlidemanD
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Laptop
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges of using a proprietary laptop keyboard from an old Dell notebook on a custom-built computer. Participants explore the necessary hardware modifications and compatibility issues related to connecting the keyboard, specifically focusing on potential pinouts and the need for additional components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks guidance on how to connect a proprietary laptop keyboard to a custom computer, questioning whether a simple pinout will suffice or if an integrated circuit (IC) is needed.
  • Another participant notes that laptop keyboards do not use standard connections and suggests the need for a conversion to USB or PS2, mentioning software alternatives that may be costly.
  • A request for clarification on the specific model of the keyboard is made, indicating the importance of model-specific information in the discussion.
  • The original poster identifies the keyboard as being from an old Dell Latitude and expresses uncertainty about whether the controller is located on the keyboard or integrated into the motherboard.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to achieve compatibility with the keyboard, and multiple viewpoints regarding the necessary hardware and potential solutions remain in discussion.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the specific hardware requirements and the configuration of the keyboard's controller, which may affect the feasibility of the proposed solutions.

SlidemanD
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Hello all,

I recently parted out an old dell notebook and am left with a nice, tactile, small, flat keyboard. I want to install it on my frankenstein computer, which has a very convenient case mod for this. I've looked around for pinouts and such to get ps2 or usb going, but to no avail. what kind of hardware must I find/build to achieve compatibility? Is it a simple pinout or do I need an IC? Any of you hardware wizards done something like this? any help is greatly appreciated.

-SlidemanD
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Laptop keyboards don't use any standard connections. You'll need to find a way to convert it to USB or PS2. There is software like VNC that will let you use your laptop keyboard to control your desktop, but it will cost $$. And for that $$ you might as well buy one of those super flat apple keyboards.
 
Which model?
 
It's an old Dell Latitude, and I'm not even sure if the controller is on the keyboard itself or integrated in the mobo.
 

Similar threads

New CS student needs help choosing a laptop
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
19K
Could a Mac be useful for a physics student?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
RadioInstigator: Building a SIGINT
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Requesting suggestions for languages, libraries, and architectures for parallel (and sometimes non parallel) numerical and scientific computations
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Thinking about a new (desktop) computer
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K
The career path becomes foggy on which direction to go
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
STOP: 0x0000008E (0xC000005, 0XBF04DF7B, 0xED924B18 0X000000000)
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
Graduate BRS: PKI Cryptosystems for SA/Ms: A Tutorial
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K