is it possible to connect laptop's keyboard to a desktop(PS2/USB)?

CyberGhost

are there any adapters or something?

I find laptop keyboards much more comfortable than standard keyboards

I know there are mini keyboards, but i'm interested in laptop keyboards

Duffman

Erm.. why not just plug your desktop monitor and mouse into the laptop?

atheist

Please clarify.

One thing you could do is install VNC on both the desktop and notebook and use the notebook to remote control the desktop.

Or you could get a KVM switch to controll both from an external keyboard

jabberwock

i could be wrong but i think that CyberGhost would like to use a laptop keyboard with his desktop machine.

like i say i could be wrong but thats how I read it.

if so:
that keyboard probabaly has the same wireout as a normal keyboard and you could just find the wiring scheme for a ps/2 connector and hey presto.

then again maybe not

:dunno:

.Aaron

daveJAM

Does the laptop keyboard have the controller? Does it have just a few wires, or a big ribbon coming out of it going to the motherboard? I tried to do this before and it was a no go. Least not without a lot of effort. If it has the controller, its just a matter of wiring it up, but if its a ribbon, then the controller is built into the motherboard.

Duffman

He may want to do this without butchering his laptop though...

CyberGhost

jabberwock got me right

Duffman - that's not a problem! i have an extra keyboard that was laying around in room for a century! so I can butcher it without an concern

that keyboard probabaly has the same wireout as a normal keyboard and you could just find the wiring scheme for a ps/2 connector and hey presto.

that's an idea!

daveJAM

that keyboard probabaly has the same wireout as a normal keyboard and you could just find the wiring scheme for a ps/2 connector and hey presto.

Sorry, was still asleep this morning, but what i meant to say is that it probably doesn't. More than likely it'll have a ribbon going to the motherboard, the controller will be part of the motherboard. You might be able to salvage a suitable controller from a normal keyboard though.

atheist

PC keyboards use scancodes, basically a xy grid reference of the key pressed. The various keys like shift ctrl alt change this code. A keypress is made up of a make contact code and a break contact code. Like the rest of the PC the keyboard evolved in kludges and bodge-jobs, for example the F11 and F12 keys and the SysRq key, AltGr etc., why the grey keys are different to the white keys and so on.

There are two keyboard controllers, one in the (external) keyboard and one in the PC. The 5pin DIN or 6pin Mini Din communicates over a serial bus similar to com1 or Midi.

I would suggest searching Google Catalogues for a suitable keyboard with PS2 - may be the cheaper alternate to something from industry intended to be proof against chemical spills or something. Most cash registers for example are discuised PCs, so there may be an answer there.

Keytronics in Dundalk may be the people to talk to.

hostyle

If you have the cash get yourself a Logitech DiNovo. They're not cheap but the keyboard is very laptop like (though a bit larger), and an absolute breeze to type on. I got one and have never looked back.

CyberGhost

nah too much plastic around it and costs too much!

Oriel

I'm the same as you - I love laptop keyboards.
Zippy do some nice flat-style ones.

I'm currently using this one:



There's also this one: