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Re: PC to Apple 2 Keyboard Conversion



Edward Ho writes ...
> 
> I have several Apple II Plus system board still functioning, but do not have
> any working keyboard to go with them. Is it possible to convert a PC
> keyboard to work with an Apple II? If yes, please describe in detail.
 ....

     Have not done it, yet; so, there are no details available.

     It looks like you could use an 8251 to interface with the PC KB.

     The big catch is having a way to initialize the 8251 or whatever other
interface chip you use. You want a KB to be ready to go when you turn ON the
computer and you do not want to have to modify your ROM code or boot some setup
program-- i.e. you want the KB to act just like an Apple II KB with, probably,
some extra functions.

     One approach could be to use a few 1-shots to clock-in stuff from a small
ROM. Or you could use a microprocessor to run the interface-- probably this is
the best method and easier to fine-tune to get the most from the KB.


Rubywand