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| Powerbook 170 Trackball Pinout |
Posted by: New2OldMacs on 2026-04-13 18:57:29
I'm sure this information is online somewhere, so I apologize, but I'm not finding it. I'm trying to hook the trackball from a dead Powerbook 170 to a Pico to use as a USB device. (I'm using extension ffcs so no trackballs will be harmed by amateur soldering!). I can see that it's a four-pin connector, I can see only 3 traces are used. I've gathered that they are +5V, Ground and Data, but for the life of me, I can't confidently find the order they go in. My best guess based on traces is: Data, +5, Ground, Unused. Can anyone confirm, because if I'm right I have a different problem? TIA! |
Posted by: finkmac on 2026-04-13 19:43:50
pb170 schematics here. good starting point... i think it's supposed to be ADB btw |
Posted by: New2OldMacs on 2026-04-14 15:58:16
pb170 schematics here. good starting point... i think it's supposed to be ADB btw Thank you! For anyone else looking for this info it’s:
Data, 5v, gnd, unused |
Posted by: Nixontheknight on 2026-04-16 16:32:33
Thank you! For anyone else looking for this info it’s:
Data, 5v, gnd, unused isn't the unused pin actually used for the power button on the keyboards? |
Posted by: New2OldMacs on 2026-04-26 14:22:37
isn't the unused pin actually used for the power button on the keyboards? Sorry here, just seeing this - but definitely not on the model. It's a 4 pin cable but it's very clearly only 3 occupied traces. |
Posted by: Nixontheknight on 2026-04-28 08:41:42
Sorry here, just seeing this - but definitely not on the model. It's a 4 pin cable but it's very clearly only 3 occupied traces. Right, that's where I got confused. I was thinking of ADB keyboards, but that makes sense for a trackball or mouse |
Posted by: gsteemso on 2026-04-29 11:15:22
As far as I'm aware, it is an ADB connection - they just wouldn't have bothered making the Reset connection on a device that doesn't use it. |
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