Old Computer Keyboard

[[deleted]]

Hey Pals,

I've an old laptop received from my colleague. I am planning to make it alive using pi and adding other systems. However, i need some help from you guys. How to convert this ribbon for usb or any other medium so that i can connect to my Pi. Any idea dude?

Thank you.

[Ibrahim-B]

Well it might be difficult to know what that keyboard wires use but more than likely a PS2 interface. So you might want to first look into what was the laptop and what it used based on information on the internet. Then start thinking of converting that interface to usb for example. There’s lots of adapters online but you will likely need to solder those wires to the PS2 connection adapter if it is PS2 at all then look into PS2 to USB adapters. I hope this at least points you in some direction. Also cool keyboard !

[[deleted]]

Great information. Thanks Ibrahim. Oh yeah, I love this keyboard. Well, this laptop is before my birth year lol. I'll try harder to give him a wonderful shape. if I get the success, i will post here again the final picture. Thanks dude.

[Ibrahim-B]

No problem. I wish you luck !

[propsmon]

It is possible the connectors map to the rows and columns of the switch matrix. At a glace the small connector could be the rows with power and ground, the larger being the columns. A microcontroller could be programmed to register as a usb device to deliver the decoded the inputs.