Refreshed Tactile Typing Experience for a Vintage PC: Modern Mechanical Keyboard Model Released
Hangin' on to the past, one dedicated nerd at a time! As computers grow older, it's these die-hard individuals who strive to keep some vintage machines alive (but sometimes it feels like a losing battle). Enter [CallousCoder], who's cooked up a nifty solution: a custom keyboard for the Commodore 64 that preserves the retro vibe while infusing it with modern swag.
Unlike today's PCs, many 80s' computers had keyboards integrated into their cases. For this DIY project, a custom 3D printed plate takes the place of the original internal Commodore keyboard. [CallousCoder] relies on a design by [Wolfgang] to get the job done, and once the plate's printed and a PCB's assembled, it's time for soldering. The newly constructed keyboard uses contemporary switches, much like modern mechanical keyboards, with the exception of the unique Commodore 64 key setup, including a latching shift key.
Want to stick with the original hardware? No sweat! Just convert an original C64 keyboard to USB and enjoy using it on your modern devices.
So, how about giving an original C64 keyboard the USB treatment? The transformation requires an adapter that bridges the old keyboard's interface with USB standards. Here's a simple breakdown:
- Identify the Keyboard Interface
- Discern the keyboard connector and its signals.
- Use a USB Interface Circuit
- Leverage a microcontroller or a dedicated IC like Arduino or Teensy boards to read the keyboard inputs and transform them into USB signals.
- Build or Acquire a Conversion Circuit
- You can either roll up your sleeves and create your own circuit or find a pre-made adapter.
- Connect the Keyboard to the Conversion Circuit
- Hook up the Commodore 64 keyboard to your conversion circuit.
- Program the Microcontroller (if necessary)
- If it's an Arduino board you're using, program it to read the keyboard inputs and transmit them as USB keyboard signals.
- Connect the Conversion Circuit to a Modern Computer
- Plug the USB output from your conversion circuit into a modern computer.
Ready to get hands-on? Try this Arduino-based USB keyboard adapter example:
```cpp
// Define your keyboard matrix scanning function herevoid scanKeyboard() { // Read the keyboard matrix and store the key presses // For simplicity, this part is omitted but involves reading the keyboard's input lines}
void setup() { // Initialize USB communication USB.begin();}
void loop() { scanKeyboard();
// Send key presses over USB if (keyPressed) { // Use USB HID functions to send key presses USB.pressKey(keyCode); delay(10); // Debounce delay USB.releaseKey(keyCode); }}```
Want a ready-made solution? Gear up for landscapes like the Blingboard64 or other retro keyboard projects that may include USB compatibility[1]. But beware, these options usually involve replacing the original keyboard rather than converting it. Happy tinkering!
- The transformation of an original Commodore 64 keyboard to USB allows it to be used on modern devices, bridging the gap between home-and-garden relics of the past and contemporary technology.
- Modernizing an old-school Commodore 64 keyboard doesn't mean you have to say goodbye to its original hardware, as a conversion process enables its use alongside gadgets and lifestyle improvements.
- When it comes to home-and-garden tinkering, the integration of modern hardware into vintage technology like the Commodore 64 can provide a unique blend of nostalgia and up-to-date functionality, such as the implementation of contemporary switches in a custom 3D printed Commodore 64 keyboard.
