Transplanting Parts

[benjgvps]

I want to swap the keyboard from a PowerBook 145B to a PowerBook 150. Is this possible? I have everything on the PowerBook 150, it is more stable, more snappy and has a working trackball. The keyboard gave me a nerdgasm when I tried to type on it, it was just right.

 

[equill]

If it helps you in your decision, the common keyboard for the 145B, 165, 165c and 180c was 661-0712 (US). The 150 is not mentioned in any of the three volumes of Service Guide: Macintosh Computers (1993-94). However, you can compare the 145B's kbd with that in the 150 readily enough, since you have one of each already in your hands. The most likely difference will lie in the point of exit from the kbd assembly of the ribbon cables that mate with the MLB.

Tech. Spec. docs describe both keyboards as having keys with 3mm travel, in a matrix of 18mm vertical x 18.63mm horizontal, but that says nothing about their connections or 'pinouts'.

de

 

[benjgvps]

So it is impossible? I hope not because I am going to be doing a project on the PowerBook 150 and I want the keys to be a little more loose, Is there a way to fix the keys on the 150?

 

[beachycove]

I am trying to remember whether I swapped keyboards between a 145 and a 160, or a 150 and a 160.... Probably the former, which isn't much help to you, I guess.

Maybe, maybe not, but the chances are that the same keyboard was used on all of these units. Why would Apple spend additional money on engineering and manufacturing another keyboard, when the original, as everyone knows, was pretty darned good? And why do so for a mere PB150, which was a cut-price and cut-down model?

It is not a big job to swap the keyboards in any case, as these machines come apart really easily. You'll soon find out; it'll only take you 30 mins.

 

[equill]

No. I wasn't trying to discourage you, but to point out that you need only to compare the existing keyboards side-by-side. The odds are, as beachycove suggests, that the keyboards are the same. I just couldn't find any printed evidence that they are the same. Good luck.

de

 

[benjgvps]

Ok, I might take apart the 145B and check it out. It will probably be next weekend though before I get around to it. Damned school!

 

[LCGuy]

Yep, it'll work.

 

[benjgvps]

Thanks! I just have one question. Is there any good way to reattach the cable that goes between the motherboard and the top of the laptop case? Its a pain to do and I want to know if there is any good tips.

 

[beachycove]

You stick your fingers in and shove it down before closing the plastics together?

 

[bigD]

Get the plastics just close enough together to allow a small amount of room for your fingers. It takes a little fiddling, but it's doable, and I have larger hands.

 

[bigD]

Once you have the keyboard working, do the ADB hack!

 

[benjgvps]

What is the ADB hack? Does it allow me to use ADB on my PowerBook 150? If I could I would, but I don't have patience to do it.

 

[tomlee59]

Yes -- the 150 has all the electrical support for ADB. Apple chose to save 50 cents by not mounting the actual connector. There are instructions online for adding this back in.

 

[benjgvps]

Well I just did it yesterday and it only took an hour to do (Most of the time was the screws). I found a good way to get the cable reattached. If you put one finger through the SCSI hole you can get a good amount of room to work with. Also I used a tool on my utility knife to turn the screws, it works like it was designed to open the screws and doesn't harm them in any way and I bet it would work in stripped screws.