68kMLA Classic Interface
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| ADB Busboy: Adapter for USB peripherals over ADB | |
Posted by: Bunsen on 2016-11-13 14:39:08Soft power / the adapter will have a button on it to provide that function.Does the switch short the PSW line (pin 2) to ground, or to power? I forget. | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-11-13 14:41:25 It now works on the Apple IIgs. | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-11-13 14:54:41 The power pin on the ADB port is held high by the system battery. Driving it to ground activates the power circuit. (see page 270 of Guide to the Macintosh Family Hardware, 2e). | |
| Posted by: Bunsen on 2016-11-14 06:13:13 Thanks anthon | |
| Posted by: joethezombie on 2016-11-14 16:51:00 So when can I buy one? | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-11-14 17:06:30 There's a ton of work to do to go from early prototype to product. I'm aiming for March 2017. Currently I'm designing the PCB. Then there will be another prototype. Probably at least one more prototype after that. While I'm waiting for PCB manufacturing, I'll be working on the software. Implementing capability for user upgradable firmware, test suite for quality assurance, etc. And testing on a bunch of different Macs. | |
| Posted by: NJRoadfan on 2016-11-14 17:44:55 Anthon, what version of the Apple IIgs did you use for testing? A ROM 01 or ROM 3? Apple revised the ADB controller in the ROM 3 (its more compatible with "modern" ADB devices), so its always best to test with a ROM 01 board. | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-11-14 17:56:18 Good point, NJRoadfan. I tested on a ROM 01. Unfortunately I don't have a ROM 3 machine, or I would test on that too, just to be thorough. | |
| Posted by: gobabushka on 2016-11-20 18:03:36 Ooo. So...how about in a KVM configuration?! | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-11-20 18:33:54 Could you elaborate? Do you mean adding more ADB ports to share the USB peripherals between several Macs? | |
| Posted by: ArmorAlley on 2016-11-21 03:04:39 If you have x-number of macs and you'd like to control them from one keyboard, mouse and monitor, then you need a KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse). ADB-KVMs are hard enough to find and iMates are becoming pricey. If you could combine the two and allow for an ADB or USB keyboard and/or mouse, we could have, for example. the Extended II keyboard along with a laser mouse controlling x-number of macs. | |
| Posted by: Gorgonops on 2016-11-21 07:26:58 Presumably the obvious solution for using these in a KVM configuration would be to just buy one for each Mac and use a VGA+USB (with the aprops Mac to VGA adapters on the video side) KVM, which shouldn't be particularly difficult to find. Sort of lost the plot when you started talking about mixing an EKII and a (USB?) laser mouse at the driver's seat, though. | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-11-21 11:26:43 I think Gorgonops is right, the most straightforward way is to use a USB KVM. To use an AEK with that setup, you would just need an iMate or TMK adapter. | |
| Posted by: ArmorAlley on 2016-11-22 09:06:48 I was just wishfully thinking. If I could have a KVM into which I could plug USB and ADB devices and still have ADB functionality (especially booting from the keyboard!), I would be very happy. If you want a KVM to control 4 macs with ADB, a USB KVM with lots of iMates is an expensive proposition nowadays and you can't boot from a USB keyboard. If there were an ADB KVM that allowed USB & ADB inputs, then I could plug in my EKII int, my laser mouse and still control my x number of macs. | |
| Posted by: Bunsen on 2016-12-04 08:49:05 ADB KVMs were made back in the day, and if you get lucky you can pick one up on ebay. Then you could use one of these downstream of the KVM. | |
| Posted by: ArmorAlley on 2016-12-04 11:05:56 I have a 4-port ADB-DA15 KVM from Black Box and it's great. One with USB support too would be even better. | |
Posted by: gobabushka on 2016-12-04 15:51:02Could you elaborate? Do you mean adding more ADB ports to share the USB peripherals between several Macs?No. What I would like to know is can I use a standard usb kvm. Usually it has a built in hub and only provides usb keyboard and mouse over one usb cable. Like if I wanted to integrate an adb mac, say a Quadra 700, into my existing kvm setup. Thanks! | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-12-04 15:57:34 Yes, you can use it with a USB KVM switch. | |
| Posted by: gobabushka on 2016-12-04 16:00:13 Settles it. I need one. | |
| Posted by: Scott Squires on 2016-12-18 14:42:08 The PCB is essentially ready for an initial prototype run. I'll just be double checking some details before sending it off to OSH Park.  | |
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