[GeekLucanis]

I am on the lookout for a DB15 SGI keyboard for early IRIS systems. I would be just fine with an adapter as well.
I am willing to pay about 100 for the keyboard, 50 for the adapter.
I am in the Greater Sacramento area.

[weblacky]

Yo,
I just came into possession of several of these sets that need cosmetic restoration (Keyboard and mouse system's proprietary mouse and metal M3 optical pads).

This kind (but with the mousepad you need): https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/s...-271230831

These are using personal Iris style DB9 connectors : https://hardware.majix.org/computers/sgi...ards.shtml

So you'd need to make cable for the DB15 style. The cables I got where DB9 to MinDIN style for Iris Indigos, so again you'd need to make a proper DB9 to DB15 cable but this site link above tells you the correct pinouts for that. I'm not ready to post them, but be assured it's on my list and I plan to post them here.

Now the reason I posted this statement at all, if you look at the Old 4D FAQ, you'll see that the author complains these keyboards were over his budget of $100, and that was in the early-mid nineties! (25+ years...so account for inflation at least.) I haven't even seen of these in person (until I bought out the dregs of a suppliers that need some love and filled in the rest myself) for 20+ years, I've not seen one on eBay for many many years.

So they aren't cheap. $100 is not even half of what people (nor I) will be asking. If you just need a working keyboard and mouse, please go try to get the Indigo keyboard and mouse adapter to USB HID adapter and wire the minidin to DB15 cable yourself. They used to be sold on eBay but recently the guy making them said he was stopping, I bought one out of caution, you may still be able to find one from somebody. Looks like his site has 3 more in stock (he said last year that when they are gone, they are gone...so buy it now)): https://drakware.com/product/IndigoUSB

With his adapter, you should be able to get going for under $100 in both the adapter and connector supplies to make the cable you need. Then you can use use a USB keyboard and mouse and get on in life).


If you are a collector, and want the "right" keyboard and mouse setup that works to complete the expensive and original item (Crimson, 4D Iris, etc) Then you'd want the original and correct hardware you're asking about.

The keyboard and mouse have been designed to use 12V differential signalling (I assume for extremely long cable lengths to get you away from the originally loud machine into the next room). The keyboard alone (working and cosmetically in great shape) is about $150+, the mouse you have to use (whether you can get an original or a clone) is about $100, and the optical pad (in great/VG shape) will run you about $85+. So for a complete original set of the keyboard, mouse, and optical pad, you'd be in the area of $335+ based on functionality and condition. These were only used on a coupled systems, the Indigo adapter was designed because these cost so much 20+ years ago that no one could get them, the adapter solved that issue for people who don't care if they had the original peripherals or not.

So this was just for your FYI, this isn't an "eBay prices are going up" thing...prices were this high for what you're asking for decades ago (if you factor the dollar's value in the early 90's at least, not accounting for scarcity on top of that).

Since mine need elbow grease and real cleaning, and I need to fix my Indigo to test them, and after oxidation and cleaning, I intend to start around $350 for a complete peripheral set "ready to use" (not including S&H). So please alter expectations accordingly.

[GeekLucanis]

As of right now, I dont mind if I dont have the original mouse and keyboard, I just need something that works to test it. I am willing to pay more once I get a new front Skin and verify it works. I cant drop 200-300 on a machine I haven't even plugged in yet.

[weblacky]

Understood, that's why I gave you the link to the dwindling supply for USB adapters. I ordered one even before I owned a station that used it when guy guy claimed he was stopping! I'd highly advise you do the same :-)

[Raion]

I did sell a complete keyboard out of a set for $60 that's the exact type above. Not to step on Weblacky's toes, but I am just pointing out that it really depends on the discretion of a seller and how much he paid for each unit - either way I narrowly made a profit off them.

[weblacky]

Raion,

To be very SUPER clear...because I realized there might be a misunderstanding, I'm talking about the Iris 4D keyboard P/N 021-0800-001, NOT beige Slab Indigo Keyboard P/N 9500801. If you mean you sold the Slab keyboard (mini din connector on both ends), I buy mine for $50, so that's correct pricing! The keyboard I showed wasn't the slab, just to make sure you're talking about what I'm talking about. He asked for DB15 for early Iris, I have the closest thing to the correct on with Iris 4D, those are super rare, you CAN of course use an Indigo MiniDin keyboard and mouse on a crimson with a cable adapter. If that's what you're referring to then we are talking two different keyboard systems.

I cannot compare the two events as I don't have enough info on what you sold or the conditions of the sale/item, I only know two things: I've never seen them in real life before after actively searching for SGI parts and machines for 20+ years in the region, so scarcity is real. 2. There is documented evidence just the keyboard sold for $100 or more, 25+ years ago. $100 dollars in say 1994 ~= $175 now in 2020, I'm still in the friend's price zone, if my parts are in same cosmetic and functional condition. I mean Crimson prices just shot up, so their parts are supposed to...go down? Well I guess they did, I'm asking $150 for $175 of value today. So it's actually lost value in real terms (a bad investment to be sure).

I mentioned the work required for the KB/MS sets and the condition of the expected sale, which is why I can confidently hold to those prices. Finding a heavily scratched mousepad on ebay is $45 right now but isn't too hard, near mint for $85? That's friends pricing. A tested Keyboard, with cable, cleaned up - looking near new for $150, again friend price...happy to do it. Will likely have 3-4 hours of labor into doing that plus testing (that's what's being given away, testing and cleaning equipment/supplies/labor).

The seller I was dealing with for these keyboards knew he was shipping these keyboard/mouse sets all over the world for $150, 15 years ago! I paid less, and one didn't have a mouse and pad (I had to pay up anyway).

I think the expression, "find another" fits here. When a suppliers knows what they have (and the real rarity), you can find another or you can pay what they ask. I think for a cherry (no cracks, chips, wear marks from use on keys, or scratches) proprietary keyboard that no one can find, $150 is me being very generous.

Depending on when you sold yours and if it was complete or not (cable included), there isn't too much difference between $60 and $100, I only plan to ask $150 because I'll need to take the damn thing apart, pluck keys, clean it ,and retrobrite the outer casing it before it can be sold, then I have to test it...right now it came out of tractor trailer and had been sitting for 20 years. Nobody wants that, so elbow grease and tools/testing will provide that extra value.

Would you like to spend $75 on an untested (risky), yellowing, keyboard, or $150 on a nice new-looking keyboard that tested working?

I'm shocked you let that keyboard go for $60, unless you had no way of testing it and sold it as-is, no returns, no cable. Then a I think $60 was fair when greater risk is on the buyer. In my case, my risk is on the seller. I have work on these without damage, if successful it's in much better shape, the buyer reaps the rewards of that.


That's why I answered his second question, he wasn't really looking for the keyboard...he wanted "A keyboard". So I pointed to the last supply of cheaper adapters that would get anyone going. That's cheaper than asking for the original, which is what I was pointing out. And even if he got the original...he still needs a special mouse (I happen to have both ball and optical...but the keyboards currently have their opticals). I guess you could make a cable pigtail adapter to adapt MiniDin Indigo mouse to DB9 mouse port on keyboard to DB15 keyboard port on machine to save money.

[GeekLucanis]

Weblacky has a point- I currently only want to be able to use any mouse or keyboard that I can hook up to the Crimson. I won't bat an eye on spending his price range- once I know this machine runs and has its full skins; otherwise its just lipstick on a pig. The IRIS DB15 keyboards are nigh unobtainable, and while I could use a PI or Indigo 6 pin with a homemade adapter( my original thought considering my price range for the keyboard), I would jump on the chance to make this machine shine at VCF, even if it means breaking the wallet.

[GeekLucanis]

So over the course of a couple evenings, I found out the Crimson works beautifully. Me and a friend got 4.0.5 installed on it and there were minimal issues. The front power switch had failed, so I jumped the connectors and it booted right up.(I have the part on order) I still intend to buy a keyboard set for this monstrosity, but in the meantime, I grabbed one of the drakware adapters for further testing.

[Raion]

Automated (sorta) staff update:

Hello OP, did you get this part you wanted yet or are you still looking? In the interest of keeping "Wanted" optimized for sellers, we're keeping the clutter to a minimum. Please update us on your wanted situation, if you want the thread to stay open, closed etc, and be sure to update the OP with any new details.

Best,

Raion

[jan-jaap]

Yo,
I just came into possession of several of these sets that need cosmetic restoration (Keyboard and mouse system's proprietary mouse and metal M3 optical pads). 

This kind (but with the mousepad you need): https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/s...-271230831

These are using personal Iris style DB9 connectors : https://hardware.majix.org/computers/sgi...ards.shtml

So you'd need to make cable for the DB15 style.  The cables I got where DB9 to MinDIN style for Iris Indigos, so again you'd need to make a proper DB9 to DB15 cable but this site link above tells you the correct pinouts for that.  I'm not ready to post them, but be assured it's on my list and I plan to post them here.

Now the reason I posted this statement at all, if you look at the Old 4D FAQ, you'll see that the author complains these keyboards were over his budget of $100, and that was in the early-mid nineties! (25+ years...so account for inflation at least.)  I haven't even seen of these in person (until I bought out the dregs of a suppliers that need some love and filled in the rest myself) for 20+ years, I've not seen one on eBay for many many years.

So they aren't cheap.  $100 is not even half of what people (nor I) will be asking [...]  So please alter expectations accordingly.

Sorry for the thread necromancy. The keyboard shown in the link is for a Personal IRIS. It will work with a Crimson, as does the Indigo / Onyx keyboard (with the right adapter cable).

Just wanted to show the real keyboard that came with the 4D IRIS series (and the Crimson), pictured on top of my partially disassembled Professional IRIS:



These keyboards have the cable fixed to the keyboard and a DB15 connector for the system. There's a DB9 on either side to attach the mouse which is the same as the Personal IRIS mouse and needs the metal pad.

Personally I don't like them very much, mostly because of the mouse and the pad. The old optical mice aren't very accurate and the metal mouse pad feels cold against the wrist 9 months of the year which feels like beginning RSI. I normally use an Indigo keyboard + mouse with the right adapter cable with my 4D systems.

If someone is serious about buying such a keyboard I may be able to help them, but I doubt I can come up with an entire set, and certainly not a scratch free mouse pad. Be warned these keyboards are very heavy so shipping will hurt.