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fake keyboard

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:40 pm
by DRCT
Is there any mods to the keyboard and mouse input (pins) that can be done to fake the computer into thinking it has a keyboard and mouse attached? I am connecting to a computer with "Remote desktop" and when I try to connect I get an error. I dont want to use a KVM due to lack of space but if I could jump some pins on the motherboard keyboard header or solder a resistor that would work best. I am not sure what the pc looks for to know that the keyboard and mouse are attached. Any help would be appreciated

Re: fake keyboard

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2004 9:06 pm
by dyarker
That's a serious lack of space if isn't room for a 7 x 4 x 1 KVM!<p>Unfortunately, a keyboard is an active device that responds to the PC during POST. A couple of jumpers and a pull-up resistor won't do.<p>I've seen a PIC or Basic Stamp application for a keyboard eliminator, but can't find it now.

Re: fake keyboard

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:55 am
by dr_when
Hi,<p>You may want to check B&B Electronics (www.bb-elec.com). They at one time sold a keyboard replacement device that responds to the PC with the appropriate commands. There are numerous documents around that explain the AT-style (and XT style) keyboard communications protocol which is easy to understand. You could build a device with a cheap 6-pin Microchip controller and fit the whole thing into a PS/2 DIN connector (and would be powered by the 5 volts from that port via the mini DIN).

Re: fake keyboard

Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 8:22 am
by Engineer1138
I don't know anything about Remote Desktop, but doesn't the BIOS support ignoring keyboard/mouse errors? That's what I do for one of my headless Linux servers.

Re: fake keyboard

Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:35 am
by jollyrgr
Take the electronics out of a mouse and keyboard. (The mouse electronics will be about the size of a book of matches, the keyboard electronics a little bit bigger.) Leave the cables attached. Mount the boards in a small plastic box using double faced tape or whatever method you wish. Put this box in back of the PC or better yet inside the PC. If you put the electronics inside the PC, run the cables out one of the unused card slots. You could even skip the box altogether and just wrap the boards in electrical tape. (Be careful not to click one of the mouse buttons if you use tape.) If you want to get fancy you could even notch the blanking panel so the cables feed out. Plug the cables in as normal. This is by far the easiest and cheapest way to do this as many people (especially businesses) have old keyboards and mice just collecting dust. If you are not so lucky you can get a BRAND NEW keyboard for one dollar at Office Max. See this item:
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/p rodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&expansionOID=-536896933&prodBlockOID=537079557<p>Mice can be had for similar deals.
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/p rodBlock.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&expansionOID=-536896933&prodBlockOID=536993159<p>[ December 09, 2004: Message edited by: Jolly Roger ]</p>