Keyboard for Apple II Clone needed

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SchwindS's picture
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Keyboard for Apple II Clone needed

Hello,
now I have an Apple II Clone, the manufacturer is unknown (no computername or other hints), the computer was bought in Germany in the 80´s. The board is in a metal housing/case and a keyboard must be external used. The board of this clone has similarity to an original Apple+ board. On board are pluged an original Apple Disk Controller for 2 Diskdrives. An IBS Pal Decoder and a Card for showing 80 letters in row on screen.
I have looked on the Web such to www.apple2clones.com but i have not found my clone on a picture.

Now my problem: I don´t have a keyboard for my Apple II Clone!
Is there a standard for the keyboards?
Did Apple Clones use the same plugs for keyboards like the original Aplle II?
Is there a Dealer who sold such a keyboard (maybe in Europe)?
Is it possible to use a standard PS/2 Keyboard or other on an Apple II Clone?

Many thanks for your helps
SchwindS

Tom Owad's picture
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Re: Keyboard for Apple II Clone needed

Hello,
now I have an Apple II Clone, the manufacturer is unknown (no computername or other hints), the computer was bought in Germany in the 80´s. The board is in a metal housing/case and a keyboard must be external used. The board of this clone has similarity to an original Apple+ board. On board are pluged an original Apple Disk Controller for 2 Diskdrives. An IBS Pal Decoder and a Card for showing 80 letters in row on screen.

Sounds like it might be a BASIS 108.

Now my problem: I don´t have a keyboard for my Apple II Clone!
Is there a standard for the keyboards?

It's almost surely a simple ASCII. If it's Parallel, an Apple II+ keyboard will work (once you figure out the pins). If it's serial, lots of old terminal keyboards will work (again, once you figure out the pins).

Is it possible to use a standard PS/2 Keyboard or other on an Apple II Clone?

Vince has a PS/2 to Parallel ASCII converter on his Replica I. The code is posted in the Apple I area, so you could download that, program the chip, build a circuit board, and get everything hooked up. I'm sure similar exists for serial ASCII.

SchwindS's picture
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Thanks for help, but now I have sell the Computer

Thanks for your help, but now I have sell the Computer to a other collector without a keyboard because I don´t get it work.

Note: It was not a BASIS 108 but something similar.
SchwindS

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PS/2-Converter

Hello!

Obviously you don't need it any more, but for those who may have the same problem, here's another PS/2 to Apple II-converter:

http://seb.riot.org/appleII/keyboard.sml

gsmcten's picture
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Too Little Too Late

SchwindS,

I think you gave up a bit too soon. The Apple II History site:
http://apple2history.org/ has a complete rundown on the differences in the European and American keyboards. Although your computer may have been a clone, you probably could have used a keyboard from a regular II and made any modifications required. Don't quit! Go out and get another Apple II and try again.
Best Regards,
Steven (gsmcten)

"Apple II....It's ALIVE!!!!!"

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