VT-320 Hack+Tip for Smokers

From: Mzthompson_at_aol.com <(Mzthompson_at_aol.com)>
Date: Fri Mar 15 14:47:34 2002

On Wed, 13 Mar 2002; Loboyko Steve <sloboyko_at_yahoo.com> wrote:

VT320:
> I noted
> that there is a blanking plate on the back for the
> RS-232 port - all you have are the MMJ connectors for
> printer and i/o. I found out these connectors and
> their crimpers are hard to find/pricey, and I didn't
> want to spend a lot of money on these terminals. I
> considered removing the blanking plate, putting in the
> DB-25 connector (no place on my unit's PCB for one -
> odd),

Both the VT320 and VT420 have the blanking plate, both nowhere
in the manuals for either of them is there any mention of it.
My manuals all say 'North American' version of something similar.
I suspect a common case, and maybe a different circuit board for
those folks on the other side of the pond. Any confirmation?

LK201:
> I found a few of the keys didn't work right on
> one of them. This is one of those conductive rubber
> dome keyboards (and cheap and junky ones at that).
> They ask quite a bit for them on the 'net
> ("refurbished", usually meaning they blow the dirt out
> with compressed air).

With the LK201, blowing out the dirt is about the extent of it.
The keyboard assembly is such that you can not easily disassemble
it to do a good cleaning.

I had a couple that were really flaky, so I decided to try an
experiment. I soaked each of them in a solution for a few days,
hoping to dislodge some of the deep down crud. No success.
I salvaged the keycaps and disposed of the rest.

> I can find better PC keyboards new for around $4.99.

If you mean as in 'Wintel', they are not compatable.

> What to do.

1) I got a stack of untested LK201's. Stop by (Indiana) and
   pick a couple up.

2) Try an LK401 instead. Being newer than an LK201, I have only
   ran across one flaky one. The nice thing about the LK401 is
   that you can tear down, clean, and reassemble one in a reasonable
   amount of time.

> Well, I cut off
> about 3/16" of a cigarette filter (with the paper on)
> and put it in the tube above the torn dome connector.
> I trimmed it a bit after testing the feel of the key,
> and it works rather well, especially for my typing
> style (not particularly speedy and somewhat ham-fisted).

An imaginative fix! Ok folks, let's empty our ashtrays and
ship our butts off to Steve. ;^)

Mike
Received on Fri Mar 15 2002 - 14:47:34 GMT