Amiga CD32 Keyboard - Repair lead possible?

[Akiko]

I have gotten myself into a bit of a pickle and wondering if anyone could offer any suggestions on how best to repair my CD32 keyboard.

I recently ordered a TF330 card which arrived in the post yesterday, guess I got a bit overly exited when setting it up as I forgot to check the pins looked okay on the Keyboard connector when I took it out of longterm storage, which resulted in a broken pin when I tried connecting it up.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to repair the keyboard by putting on a new connector, and if so is there anywhere that might offer those services?

Or would it be better to try find a beige 3000 keyboard lead and just paint it black?


Thanks.

[indigolemon]

Before I reply - Wow! A CD32 keyboard in the wild!

Anyway, the connector is the same shape/size as a PS2 PC keyboard, so I'd be tempted to get a black lead from one of them, match up the pins/wires to the original lead and have any joint/repair inside the keyboard body.

[jlin_au]

Does the CD32 keyboard have the same PS2 6 pin type mini din connector on both ends?

If so then you can still buy new black PS2 six pin connectors from Jaycar Electronics in the UK (see https://www.jaycar.co.uk/6-pin-mini-...s-vhs/p/PP0366).

Ifthe keyboard side connection is a RJ12 six conductor plug or a RJ11 four conductor plug you can also get those from Jaycar.

[a4k-oerx]

Note: An original CD32 or A4000 keyboard should be connected directly to the CD32 AUX port, not to TF330/riser PS2 port, or did I miss something here?

[Higgy]

I think if you are using the TF328/330 & riser you CANNOT use the AUX port.
I thought I read there is a conflict.

I also thought the keyboard side connector (AUX) on the CD32 was not PS/2 and more like the older PC AT style DIN connectors.

Lovely keyboard by the way. I must get a A1200 - CD32 special edition case/keys

[trixster]

I believe you can use the aux port for a ‘proper’ Amiga keyboard if you remove the PIC on the riser expansion card.

[Steffest]

Originally Posted by Higgy

I think if you are using the TF328/330 & riser you CANNOT use the AUX port.
I thought I read there is a conflict.

If you use a riser with a PS2 port, you need to disable the PS2 port by removing the PIC chip to use the AUX port, yes.

but that's not the main thing.
The main thing is: @Akiko OMG - DO YOU ACTUALLY HAVE AN ORIGINAL CD32 KEYBOARD ?!?!?!?!?!?!?
NO FRIGGIN WAY !!!!

So jealous right now.
Let me just say: if you ever sell it, DO drop me a line :-)

[Akiko]

I have now this issue fully resolved, thanks very much for all the great advice.

It turns out the pin I accidentally crushed and which snapped of amazingly doesn’t appear to be carrying any critical signals to the keyboard. I have since tested it on my 4000T using an adaptor and it is fully working even the three finger salute still works. I was scratching my head why it still still didn’t work on the CD32, I wasn’t aware of the incompatibility with kippers riser board, I have now removed the PIC chip as suggested by trixter and Steffest and keyboard is now fully working with the CD32.

I was lucky that the pin doesn’t appear to do anything, I will be a lot more careful in future, thanks everyone.

[trixster]

That pin could be GND

[lesta_smsc]

Originally Posted by Akiko

I have now this issue fully resolved, thanks very much for all the great advice.

It turns out the pin I accidentally crushed and which snapped of amazingly doesn’t appear to be carrying any critical signals to the keyboard. I have since tested it on my 4000T using an adaptor and it is fully working even the three finger salute still works. I was scratching my head why it still still didn’t work on the CD32, I wasn’t aware of the incompatibility with kippers riser board, I have now removed the PIC chip as suggested by trixter and Steffest and keyboard is now fully working with the CD32.

I was lucky that the pin doesn’t appear to do anything, I will be a lot more careful in future, thanks everyone.

If you still want to fix it, then it can be easily done by swapping the head with this (eBay link below) - it's a standard keyboard connector but the only difference I'd imagine is the pin layout which wouldn't matter in your case as you will be connecting directly like-for-like.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-5m-6-Pi...-/310516680547

[a4k-oerx]

Originally Posted by Akiko

.. the pin doesn’t appear to do anything, ..

Seems to be /RxD, not used for original Amiga keyboards, only required for hardware which uses the serial port pins, e.g. "CD32 Communicator", "CD32 AUX Extension", "CD32 Connection Kit", "CD32 Serial Port Aux Adapter" or similar.

never seen a cd32 keyboard before, i think it looks great, id love one but no doubt they are pretty rare to come by, and probably cost a fortune on ebay etc.

very nice tho, one can drool instead over the pic lol

[spudje]

Don't you guys think Akiko just wanted to show off his keyboard.... LOL

[Steffest]

Originally Posted by spudje

Don't you guys think Akiko just wanted to show off his keyboard.... LOL

And very much succeeded!

[supaduper]

Yep that keyboard is a thing of beauty

[theq]

That keyboard makes me ! I guess some are luckier than others...
But by the looks of it, it is identical to an A4000 keyboard with a different color scheme.

[Flimbo]

That's a very beautiful keyboard.

[Leon Besson]

Originally Posted by Flimbo

That's a very beautiful keyboard.

Looks like a CDTV keyboard with different key caps and logo to me Bromigo!

[Flimbo]

Originally Posted by Leon Besson

Looks like a CDTV keyboard with different key caps and logo to me Bromigo!

As far as I know they never released the keyboard but some (how many??) were manufactured. The CD32 is a very nice looking machine.