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Keyboard for Apple II Clone needed

Submitted by SchwindS on May 29, 2007 - 6:35am. Apple II

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

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Tom Owad's picture

Re: Keyboard for Apple II Clone needed

Submitted by Tom Owad on May 30, 2007 - 12:01pm.
SchwindS wrote:
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.

Quote:
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).

Quote:
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.

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SchwindS's picture

Thanks for help, but now I have sell the Computer

Submitted by SchwindS on March 8, 2008 - 10:54am.

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

Submitted by apfel2seb on May 17, 2008 - 6:57am.

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

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gsmcten's picture

Too Little Too Late

Submitted by gsmcten on August 27, 2008 - 1:09pm.

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!!!!!"

» Steven (gsmcten)

"Apple ][.....It's ALIVE!!!!!"

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