Re: DEC Keyboard Question
From: John E. Malmberg (wb8tyw_at_qsl.network)
Date: 01/22/05
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Date: Sat, 22 Jan 2005 11:20:15 -0500
[Followups set to comp.os.vms since this is about OpenVMS use]
johnhreinhardt@yahoo.com wrote:
> I have a couple of questions about DEC/Compaq/HP keyboards. The first
> question may make the second one moot but here goes:
>
> I have found discussions about various KVM switches and the DEC 108-key
> keybords and most seem to indicate that they do not mix well except for
> a few brands/models. Does anyone know if the Avocent Outlook ES series
> works or doesn't?
Do not know. From what I have been able to determine much of the
trouble has been from using them with multiple operating systems that
may put the keyboard in different scan modes, and some KVM switches do
not remember which scan mode that each host was using to put it back.
The other issue that affects KVM suitability is if the KVM uses keyboard
keys to switch sessions. The Belkin model that I have only because it
was really cheap on sale, and also switched the audio, uses the key that
is known as "Scroll Lock" on an X86 PC.
It requires that you press it twice in a time period and then hit up or
down arrow. Experiments have shown that it passes those some of those
key strokes through to the host operating system. On the LK4xx series
keyboard, the key that generates the "Scroll Lock" code is F19, which
has meaning to the Mozilla application.
Holding down the Alt key while entering the required string seems to
send a keystroke sequence that toggles DECWindows-Motif handling of the
mouse mode, and after switching back to the OpenVMS system, I seem to
have to usually key in an additional ALT-F19 to toggle it back.
I have only had this KVM a little while and this is only a hobby system,
so I do not know if other problems could occur from it's use.
If this is a production system, I would suggest contacting HP support.
> Also, dispite much Googling and Yahooing I have not been able to find
> the difference between the LK46W-XX and LK461-XX keyboards. I know
> they are both 108-key "OpenVMS" style, although I cannot find any
> keyboard layouts. I have also found in various SOC editions where both
> are listed as suitable for AlphaServer class machines. I just wonder
> what the difference was and if it is significant or will either work
> fine with my OpenVMS boxes.
The two keyboards have a similar layout. I not sure that there are any
functional differences. I am typing on an LK461 right now. I am not
aware of what the different model number's mean.
There also appears to be a LK451 model which has in addition to the VMS
layout, key caps that indicate which keys generate the typical x86 PC
codes. It also has two more LEDs for Scroll Lock and something else I
can not remember.
I have been able to use standard x86 PC keyboards with Alphas to do
elementary things. They work well enough to get OpenVMS installed or
upgraded and get the hobby license keys installed. After that, I mainly
accessed that system from the network.
-John
wb8tyw@qsl.network
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