Re: DEC Keyboard Question

From: Ken Fairfield (my.full.name_at_intel.com)
Date: 01/25/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 11:04:16 -0800

John E. Malmberg wrote:
> Ken Fairfield wrote:
>
>>
>> I don't know specifically about the Outlook ES, but when I queried
>> Avocent's technical support that Fall, the answer I got back was,
>>
>> "While our switches do support mode 3 keyboard, it is
>> currently only in the 101/102 keyboard layout. The
>> additional keys would not pass through."
>>
>> I got similar negative responses from Adder, Linksys and Belkin.
>> I didn't expect anything different from Belkin, but Adder had a
>> nice little switch I would've liked to buy...too bad...
>
>
> A google search shows that there are several mode 3 keyboards available
> for x86 PC devices from several vendors.

Due respect, John, you're missing the point. The problem is
not mode 3, and it is not x86 PCs. It is KVM switches.

It is true that Windows of various generations works fine with
LK4xx keyboards, and I, too, use one for my daily work connected
to an IBM T41 Laptop running Windows XP Professional (not proud of
it, just the facts m'am :-).

The problem is the KVM switch does not pass the key codes
corresponding to the "extra" keys on the LK4xx. It passes all the
keys codes found on a "standard" 101/102 key keyboard. It doesn't
pass F17-F20, for example, or KP-comma, or the DO key, etc. And I'm
not even talking about the mapping of the 102 keys they do pass.

>> The other piece of information I've gleaned from my research is
>> that essentially all of the switches put the physical keyboard
>> into mode 2, then translate to/from mode 3 for the VMS connection.
>
>
> A google search which I do not have handy indicates that x86 PCs not
> only regularly use mode 3 for keyboards, support for the LK series
> appears to be present in many versions of Microsoft Windows. The only
> version known not to support the LK4xx keyboards is the first retail
> version of Microsoft NT 4.0. The betas had support.
>
> Unfortunately I could not find a list of what versions of Microsoft
> Windows will support a NT 4.0 keyboard.
>
> It also appears from google that Linux will support an LKxxx keyboard.

Ditto: problem not with x86PC nor Windows, but with KVM switch.

>> Apparently Raritan does the translation with a per-system-connection
>> adapter (Alan, correct me if I'm wrong; I don't have any personal
>> experience with Raritan).
>
>
> Google is indicating that such translation is not needed as the x86 PCs
> operating systems already know about and use mode 3, but that conflicts
> with what others who have studied this more than I did.

Ditto: problem not with x86 PC but with KVM switch.

[BIG SNIP]

> So far in my limited tests, Windows 98/2000 are quite happy with an LK
> keyboard connected through the cheap Belkin KVM.

Ditto: problem not with x86 PC nor Windows. If you use an LK4xx
through the Belkin to Windows, you won't see a problem. Indeed,
you may not see the problem through the Belkin to VMS if your
access to VMS is through the PC (mode 2). I don't know that this
is true, I'm only allowing that I haven't tried it...

YOU WILL SEE THE PROBLEM if you connect the LK4xx to the KVM switch,
then the KVM switch to a "real Alpha". Trust me. You will.
No Reflections. No KEAterm. No eXceed. Native (semi-)direct VMS.
Won't work.

[MORE SNIPPAGE]

        -Ken 

-- 
I don't speak for Intel, Intel doesn't speak for me...
Ken Fairfield
D1C Automation VMS System Support
who:   kenneth dot h dot fairfield
where: intel dot com

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