for XT/at to USB Soarer's Converter +Remapping +Macros +NKRO-Support IBM Model F/Model M

This worked out of box for me on Fedora Linux with a 104 key model F that has a 180 degree pin layout.Note: It does *not* work on a 122 key Model F that has the 240 degree pins!

My son acquired a 1993 Lexmark Model M keyboard that was headed for disposal. Unlike my IBM Model M keyboards which have PS/2 connectors, this one has a 5-pin DIN connector. The Soarer's converter cable works well so far to keep this classic keyboard in service.

I put one of these on a Datacomp DFK515. Just like that, it's immediately plug and play with Windows 11, however this particular keyboard sends some bizarre scan codes for a couple of the keys. I can't fully remember all the details since I no longer own the keyboard, but one of the function keys sent an 'UNASSIGNED' scan code, print screen sent the wrong scan code entirely, whilst the arrows keys sent 'Shift + Shift + Numpad' instead of the usual ANSI navigation cluster scan codes. This is a bit of a special case as this was all by design for this keyboard. While I wasn't able to fix the arrow keys since there doesn't seem to be a way to intercept keys that send multiple scan codes at the same time like the DFK515 appears to, reconfiguring the converter for single keys is quite easy based on the guides I followed out there on the internet. I'll gladly buy more of these for any more vintage keyboards that come into my possession.

The unit I received claimed to be running Soarer's converter firmware version 1.12, but the behavior didn't match. It was clear that the firmware was either corrupted or had been tampered with.Thankfully, someone in the geekhack/deskthority keyboard forums reported that this device's firmware can be replaced using Soarer's scboot command line tool (to put it in bootloader mode) and the bootloadHID tool (to flash the firmware). I tried this with Soarer's genuine v1.12 firmware file, and it worked.Now that the genuine firmware is installed, this device works beautifully. Keyboard input works in the OS and in the BIOS setup screen. N-key rollover keeps WASD movement and action keys in games from interfering with each other. I haven't done much with the programmable macros and layers provided by Soarer's firmware, but my rudimentary test worked fine.

Only tested it on W10, but it worked instantly upon plugging it in. I did see that it installed a driver upon the first plug in, so I am not sure how well this may work on older OSes. Though, if you get old enough, you could just use an XT/AT to PS/2 adapter.

I just bought a slightly used IBM Model F/AT keyboard and was searching for an adaptor that will let this keyboard work with a USB slot. The previous reviewer of this cable stated that it worked with their IBM Model F/AT so I bought it and I'm typing on the keyboard as I'm making this review.

It works! This connects my 1984 IBM Model F/AT keyboard to my 2021 Windows 11 PC and makes the keyboard work. This did the job when my cheaper PS/2-to-USB converter (with a passive adapter) couldn't. So happy! Thank you so much to Amazon and the company that made this. 100% recommended!

Used with an old BTC keyboard for curiosity and testing purposes. No issues at all, everything works as expected.