IBM Model F XT Industrial connectivity question...

duosonic

17 Jan 2023, 01:05

So, do I have it right that a Soarer's converter will NOT allow a Model F Industrial XT to magically talk to my PC? It works fine on my regular (beige) XT, but I've got a sinking feeling the protocol is... different. Thanks!

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Muirium
µ

17 Jan 2023, 11:11

Are you sure your industrial XT is even a Model F? IBM sourced the switches for those from Oak.

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JP!

17 Jan 2023, 18:20

Muirium wrote: 17 Jan 2023, 11:11 Are you sure your industrial XT is even a Model F? IBM sourced the switches for those from Oak.
These IBM Industrial XT's are a bit unique and unusual it seems since they typically feature a keyboard module manufactured by Oak. I have heard that these don't seem to work with a Soarer's but I've not tested myself...yet. Perhaps someone smarter than me might be able to reverse engineer the firmware of these Oak Indy XT's. If my memory is correct the dimensions of the case are also different enough that you can't just install an F XT module. Also the rabbit hole seems to go a bit deeper as legend has it that there were F XT's painted in industrial gray (not just of the diy variety) but sporting a silver badge rather than the sexier black badge.

duosonic

17 Jan 2023, 20:31

Sorry, I should have been more specific: it IS an OAK switch product... I just didn't want to confuse with Model M Industrials...

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