Discussion about DEC Keyboards

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

As of 2002, any keyboards historically associated
with DEC video terminals would be the province of
Boundless Technologies.

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!gatech!udel!news.mathworks.com!transfer.stratus.com
      !xylogics.com!Xylogics.COM!carlson
From: carlson@Xylogics.COM (James Carlson)
Subject: Re: vt220 F13 key
Date: 8 Nov 1994 11:50:14 GMT
Organization: Xylogics Incorporated
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <39nolm$mck@newhub.xylogics.com>
References: <39mqg6$t2o@newsbf01.news.aol.com>
Reply-To: carlson@xylogics.com

In article <39mqg6$t2o@newsbf01.news.aol.com>, danekj@aol.com (Danekj) wrote:
|>
|> I'm currently using a vt220 terminal at work and I don't have a manual.
|> The F13 key has the label (ESC) under it and I use it as the escape key
|> for vi. The only problem is that it puts out ESC and [23~.  The [23~
|> causes a whole series of characters in vi to change case (lower to upper
|> or upper to lower) when I use F13 for escape. I then have to type U to
|> undo the case change.
|> 
|> I checked the terminal setup and haven't found a way to change this. Is
|> there a terminal escape sequence I can use to fix this? I just want a
|> simple escape key.  I do need to use the terminal as a vt220.  Setting it
|> to vt100 solves the escape problem but causes a bunch more with Informix
|> and WordPerfect.


If you must use it in VT220 mode, then use CTRL-3 or CTRL-[ to send an
ESC code.  Alternatively, you could use the following control sequence
(say, in a .login file) to program SHIFT-F13 as ESC (there's no way to
program unshifted function keys on a real DEC VT220), but this way looks
like overkill:

	<ESC>P1;1|25/1B<ESC>\

--
James Carlson <carlson@xylogics.com>            Tel:  +1 617 272 8140
Annex Software Support / Xylogics, Inc.               +1 800 225 3317
53 Third Avenue / Burlington MA  01803-4491     Fax:  +1 617 272 2618

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Editor's note:

Almost all ASCII terminals, including all DEC VT models,
will generate the Escape (ESC) character (0x1B) if you
hold down the Control/CTRL key and type the LEFT bracket:

    Control-[  ==  ESC

whereas if you mistakenly hit the right bracket ] you will
generate the GS (group separator) control code (0x1D) 
(which many "telnet" implementations use as a command escape).

Note that the DEC LK201 sometimes has a function key that
bears the label "F11 (ESC)", but it generates a raw Escape
character ONLY when the VT220 or VT320 is set to operate
in "VT100 mode".  Otherwise, this key sends one of two
control-character sequences--in 7-bit mode:

    ESC [ 2 3 ~

or in 8-bit mode:

    CSI 2 3 ~

where CSI (0x9B) is the ANSI X3.64 Control Sequence Introducer.

 ...RSS

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/


Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net
      !europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!news.kei.com!yeshua.marcam.com
      !charnel!olivea!decwrl!pa.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!hannah.enet.dec.com
      !hedberg
Date: 11 Mar 1994 17:03:18 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Marlboro, MA
Message-ID: <2lq88m$7uj@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>
References: <CMDJMI.I9q@microsoft.com>
Keywords: terminal vt100 esprit keycode
From: hedberg@hannah.enet.dec.com (Bill Hedberg)
Subject: Re: Keyboard input question

	Function Keys in VT100 emulation are undefined.

	Terminals and terminal emulators typically define multi-byte
control strings of the form "<Esc>[XX" as defaults for Function Keys.
Function Key strings do not have a global meaning.  They are just a unique
signal to the host which indicate that a particular key was pressed.

	The orginal Digital VT100 did not have Function Keys.

	Yes, the VT100 did have [PF1],[PF4],[PF3],[PF4], but it did not
have [F1].. keys.  Function Keys [F1]..[F20] first appeared on the
keyboard of the VT220, where [F1]..[F3] were defined as Local Function
Keys, ie. [F1]=Hold Screen, [F2]=Print, [F3]=Set-Up.  [F11]=Esc,
[F12]=BS and [F13]=LF in VT100 mode only as a hack.  Esc, BS and LF
were removed as independent keys on the VT220 keyboard.

	Follow-on Digital VT products attempted to emulate VT100 mode
by disabling (except [F11]..[F13]).  VT100 clones intentionally or
unintentionally mapped Function Keys in VT100 emulation, but Function
key mappings are inconsistent across vendors.

	- Bill

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
In-Reply-To: <KSHAW.94Dec27233157@jobe.shell.portal.com>
Organization: University of Tennessee, Knoxville--Dept. of Computer Science
Date: 28 Dec 1994 17:45:00 EST
Updated: 13 Jun 1996 11:46:00 EDT
From: Richard Shuford
To: kshaw@jobe.shell.portal.com
Subject: Re: My vt320 termcap file

Regarding the F5 key:

Somebody else may point this out, but on a real DEC VT220 or VT320,
the first five top-row function keys are intended primarily as local
functions, not as things a remote application program can sense;
indeed F1 through F4 don't send anything to the host at all.


On a VT420 (for which I've got the manual here)

    KEY     FUNCTION
    ---     ------------------------------------------------------------
    F1      Hold (controls scrolling via XON/XOFF).

    F2      Local Print (prints screen to locally attached printer).
              Shift-F2 (on VT320) prints graphics and text.
            Control-F2 toggles auto-print mode.

    F3      Enter terminal's setup mode.

    F4      Switch sessions (for dual-session terminals).
            Control-F4 splits screen (for dual-session terminals).

    F5      Break (sends long serial break).
            Shift-F5 drops DTR to disconnect a modem.
            Control-F5 sends the terminal's answerback message to the
            remote host.

However, the more recent VT420 product can be configured (by use of
the setup menus) to have the F1 through F5 keys really send a code
sequence to the host instead of performing the local operation.  The
code sequences are of the form

     Esc [ 1 2 ~

in 7-bit communication environments or

     CSI   1 2 ~

in 8-bit communication environments.

    KEY     7-BIT CODE
    ---     -----------
    F1      Esc [ 1 1 ~
    F2      Esc [ 1 2 ~
    F3      Esc [ 1 3 ~
    F4      Esc [ 1 4 ~
    F5      Esc [ 1 5 ~

However, if you configure the VT420's first five function keys this
way, you lose the capability to perform their local functions, one of
which (F3) is to allow you to use the setup menus!  To recover from
this condition, you have to log out, turn off the terminal, wait 10
seconds, turn on the terminal, and then make F3 the very first key you
press after it has initialized.  Then the terminal enters setup mode,
and you can change the use of F3 (or other parameters).

Just for completeness, the keypad function keys emit

    KEY     8-BIT CODE
    ---     -----------
    PF1     SS3 P
    PF2     SS3 Q
    PF3     SS3 R
    PF4     SS3 S


    KEY     7-BIT CODE
    ---     -----------
    PF1     Esc O P
    PF2     Esc O Q
    PF3     Esc O R
    PF4     Esc O S

    -------------------------------------

    -------------------------------------
    the rest of the top row (note gaps)
    -------------------------------------

    KEY     7-BIT CODE
    ---     -----------
    F6      Esc [ 1 7 ~
    F7      Esc [ 1 8 ~
    F8      Esc [ 1 9 ~
    F9      Esc [ 2 0 ~
    F10     Esc [ 2 1 ~

    F11     Esc [ 2 3 ~    (VT100 mode: ESC) 
    F12     Esc [ 2 4 ~    (VT100 mode: BS ) 
    F13     Esc [ 2 5 ~    (VT100 mode: LF ) 
    F14     Esc [ 2 6 ~

    Help    Esc [ 2 8 ~
    Do      Esc [ 2 9 ~

    F17     Esc [ 3 1 ~
    F18     Esc [ 3 2 ~
    F19     Esc [ 3 3 ~
    F20     Esc [ 3 4 ~

    -------------------------------
    arrow keys
    Mode:   Application   Cursor
    -------------------------------
    Up      Esc O A       Esc [ A
    Down    Esc O B       Esc [ B
    Right   Esc O C       Esc [ C
    Left    Esc O D       Esc [ D

           (Esc O == SS3)

    -------------------------------
    editing keys
    -------------------------------
    Find                  Esc [ 1 ~
    Insert Here           Esc [ 2 ~
    Remove                Esc [ 3 ~
    Select                Esc [ 4 ~
    Prev Screen           Esc [ 5 ~
    Next Screen           Esc [ 6 ~

    (editing keys send nothing in VT100 mode)

    -------------------------------
    numeric keypad digit keys
    Mode:   Application   Numeric
    -------------------------------
    0       Esc O p       0
    1       Esc O q       1
    2       Esc O r       2
    3       Esc O s       3
    4       Esc O t       4
    5       Esc O u       5
    6       Esc O v       6
    7       Esc O w       7
    8       Esc O x       8
    9       Esc O y       9

    ,       Esc O l       ,   (comma)
    -       Esc O m       -   (minus)
    .       Esc O n       .   (period)

    Enter   Esc O M       CR  (in LNM mode sends CR,LF)


(The non-ANSI VT52 mode emits a completely different of codes.)


 ...RSS  <shuford@cs.utk.edu>


P.S.

If you just want to be able to type certain ASCII Control codes,
you can generate them by holding down the Control key and typing
these numeric digits on the alphanumeric side of the keyboard:

    KEYSTROKE   CODE  CHAR HEX
    ---------   ----  ---- ---
    Control-2   NUL   ^@   00
    Control-3   ESC   ^[   1B        (yes, Control-[ also emits ESC)
    Control-4   FS    ^\   1C
    Control-5   GS    ^]   1D
    Control-6   RS    ^^   1E        (shift not required)
    Control-7   US    ^_   1F
    Control-8   DEL        7F


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Another frequently asked question:

Q: Is there a way to cause the big key with the backward-pointing
arrow to send a Backspace (Control-H) code instead of the Delete code?

A: In the VT300 and later models, there is the DECBKM control for this:

    ESC [ 6 7 h      set backarrow key to send backspace

    ESC [ 6 7 l      set backarrow key to send delete  (that's lowercase L)

Actually, the DEC keyboards follow the formal standard in sending the
Delete code with this key; however, in some computer communities, the
users seem to expect Backspace from this key.

There are also some Unix shell and stty settings that affect this.
Read  "man stty" for information.


  [ Or see "Unix terminal" information at this website:
    http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal_index.html ]

 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Message-ID: <3F664335.4E1F1798@intel.com>
Organization: Intel Corporation
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 15:54:45 -0700
From: Ken Fairfield
Subject: Summary: KVMs, LK461 and DECwindows

    Some time ago, I started a thread titled, "KVM between PWS600au
and IBM T20 Laptop".  I now have an update and perhaps another
question or two.

Executive Summary:

    The Rose Mini-Vista KVM "works" well between a PC running
Windows XP and an Alpha running VMS and DECwindows.  However, when
using an LK461-A2 keyboard, the 6-key editing keypad, function keys
F18-F20, and the numeric keypad minus keys are mapped incorrectly on 
the Alpha, and the top-row functions keys from F13 through F17, and the
Compose key, are not available at all.

    Most KVM vendors support only a standard PC 101/102-key
keyboard, but in there higher-end KVM series, Rose say they fully 
support the LK461 keyboard.


Details:

    I have an IBM T20 Laptop [this is my work platform] plugged into 
its port-replicator (which allows me to use a standard keyboard,
mouse and monitor), and a PWS600au hobbiest system.  I wanted to
share a sungle LK461-A2 keyboard, 3-button mouse (Digital logo) and
Samsung SyncMaster LCD monitor at home through an appropriate KVM
switch.

    The issues that I knew to research at the time were that the laptop
(on its port-replictor) wanted the keyboard in mode 2, whereas the VMS
(and I think Tru64) want the keyboard in mode 3.
The mouse stays in PS2 mode (if that's the right term) for both
platforms, and this LCD takes analog input so there were no 
compatibility problems there either.

    I found three candidate vendors (there may be more) which would
maintain the keyboard in different modes on different KVM ports:
Adder, Raritan and Rose Electronics.  When I looked into the Raritan, I
found it requires a "converter" on any port that runs in
other than mode 2, and the cost of the converter plus the KVM was
more than I wanted to spend.  I almost bought the small Adder 2-port 
model, but after exchanging some correspondance with tech support at 
Rose, wound up buying the Rose Mini-Vista KVM.

    The Mini-Vista comes in two models, one with standard PS/2-MD6
mouse and keyboard connectors and VGA-HD15 for the monitor, and the
other with DB25 connectors at the switch for the computer ports.
Since the later required Rose proprietary cables, I chose the
former...but wound up buying Rose cables for that anyway since you
need male-male for the video hook-up which I couldn't find at Fry's.
[The Rose cables I bought are nice in that there is a single cable
that carries all of the keyboard, mouse and video, but they were a
bit pricey.]
    
    For reasons that have nothing to do with the KVM, it took a 
while to get my PWS to the point I could start DECwindows (no, the
Radeon 7500 will NOT work with a PWS 600au! :-).  When I finally
did get to the point of trying to edit in a DECterm, I found that
the "Do" key had gone AWOL and that the editing keypad keys had
been "shuffled":

		Keycap		Mapped To
		------	  	---------
		Find	  	Insert Here
		Insert Here	Find
		Remove		Select
		Select		Prev
		Prev		Remove

Oh, and the minus key, "-", on the numeric keypad, mapped to the
less-than character, "<".  F13, F14, Help, Do and F17 sent nothing
to the xev, while F18, F19 and F20 mapped to F13, F14 and Help as
viewed in xev.  Finally, the Compose key sent nothing.

    Subsequent correspondance with the three vendors, plus Avocent,
Black Box and Linksys, showed that all vendors say the support ONLY
101/102 key "standard" PC keyboards.  Except for Rose...

    The Rose technical support person found explicit referecnces to
LK461-xx in his database, one in the german language varient!  The
low-end Mini-VIsta that I purchased doesn't support the LK461, but
the more expensive ServeView Pro and UltraView Pro series of KVMs
do!  So if you have a situation where you must have full LK461
functionallity, there is at least one vendor out there who can help. 
Unfortunately, I can't afford $500US for the convenience...although
I have been keeping an eye on eBay...

    Rose support did say that there is a 1-to-1 conversion from the
scan mode 2 to scan mode 3 sequences, and so I suppose there is a
possiblity to remap the keys using xmodmap.  However, for those keys
which didn't send anything to xev, I don't know whether the VMS
DECwindows driver is even processing the codes received (Fred???).

    For the time being, I will plug in two keyboards, one into the 
switch to be used with the laptop, and one directly into the PWS.
I have enough room on either side of my desk to lean the unused
keyboard against the side of the desk. :-}

    I hope this summary helps others who are looking for a KVM that
will work with there Alpha VMS systems.

	-Ken
--
I don't speak for Intel, Intel doesn't speak for me...

Ken Fairfield
D1C Automation VMS System Support 
who:   kenneth dot h dot fairfield
where: intel dot com

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: cs.utk.edu!stc06.CTD.ORNL.GOV!fnnews.fnal.gov!uwm.edu
      !math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!news.Stanford.EDU
      !unixhub!sldb6.slac.stanford.edu!fairfield
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References: <3i2qnj$83p@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 07:07:12 GMT
From: fairfield@sldb6.slac.stanford.edu
Subject: Re: Compose key on DEC LK401 keyboard on an Alpha 3000

In article <3i2qnj$83p@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk>, 
   zebra@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk (Julii Brainard#) writes:
>
> I know that people have posted messages about this before, and I have
> even saved a few, but there seems to be no authoritative guide for
> how to use the compose key on an Alpha 3000 with an LK401 keyboard
> to create all of those weird and wacky symbols and characters --
> just a few of which may be useful in my work.
[...]

        I haven't seen this topic come up very often and it's not in any
    FAQ (that I know of).  The fact  is, it seems very difficult to find
    this  information; usually, I expect, it's in the User's manual that
    _may_ have come with the hardware (terminal), but it's  not  in  the
    VMS user's manuals, or even the I/O Reference Guide, etc.  Note that
    the  compose  sequences  are  common  to  all  VTxxx  terminals (and
    DECterms) from the VT200_Series on  up.   [I  guess that means LK201
    and LK401 keyboards, etc.]

        I _finally_ found the  compose  sequences in the Bookreader docs
    for  VXT1200  X-terminals, Table 15-4.  I've reformatted the  table,
    and omitted some  of  the  compose  sequences  for  characters  that
    normally appear on a US keyboard (e.g., <COMPOSE> + + for the number
    sign,  #).   Also,  I've omitted the dozen or so characters that you
    can only access if you're using  the  ISO Latin 1 character set; the
    sequences  I've listed are for the DEC Multinational character  set,
    although most of these are also available in ISO Latin 1.

        -Ken
-- 
 Kenneth H. Fairfield       |  Internet: Fairfield@Slac.Stanford.Edu
 SLAC, P.O.Box 4349, MS 98  |  DECnet:   45537::FAIRFIELD (45537=SLACVX)
 Stanford, CA   94309       |  Voice:    415-926-2924    FAX: 415-926-4335
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 These opinions are mine, not SLAC's, Stanford's, nor the DOE's...

===============================================================================
Note: Most sequences can also typed in reverse order, but a few must
      be typed in the order given.

Character                   Sequence        Character                  Sequence
---------                   --------        ---------                  --------
  opening angle brackets  <<                closing angle brakets    >>
  inverted !              !!                degree sign              0^
  inverted ?              ??                superscript 1            1^
  cent sign               C/ or C|          superscript 2            2^
  pound sign              L- or L=          superscript 3            3^
  yen sign                Y- or Y           middle dot               .^
  section sign      SO or S! or S0          fraction one-quarter     14
  currency sign           XO or X0          fraction one-half        12
  copyright sign          CO or C0          plus or minus sign       +-
  feminine ordinal        O_                micro sign               /U
  masculine ordinal       A_                paragraph sign           P!

                                              German small sharp s     ss
  A grave                 `A                a grave                  `a
  A acute                 'A                a acute                  'a
  A circumflex            ^A                a circumflex             ^a
  A tilde                 ~A                a tilde                  ~a
  A umlaut                "A                a umlaut                 "a
  A ring                  *A                a ring                   *a
  A E diphthong           AE                a E diphthong            ae

  C cedilla               C,                c cedilla                c,

  E grave                 `E                e grave                  `e
  E acute                 'E                e acute                  'e
  E circumflex            ^E                e circumflex             ^e
  E umlaut                "E                e umlaut                 "e

  I grave                 `I                i grave                  `i
  I acute                 'I                i acute                  'i
  I circumflex            ^I                i circumflex             ^i
  I umlaut                "I                i umlaut                 "i

  N tilde                 ~N                n tilde                  ~n

  O grave                 `O                o grave                  `o
  O acute                 'O                o acute                  'o
  O circumflex            ^O                o circumflex             ^o
  O umlaut                "O                o umlaut                 "o
  O tilde                 ~O                o tilde                  ~o
  O E diphthong           OE                o E diphthong            oe
  O slash                 O/                o slash                  o/

  U grave                 `U                u grave                  `u
  U acute                 'U                u acute                  'u
  U circumflex            ^U                u circumflex             ^u
  U umlaut                "U                u umlaut                 "u

  Y umlaut                "Y                y umlaut                 "y


 \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: cs.utk.edu!stc06.CTD.ORNL.GOV!fnnews.fnal.gov!unixhub
      !sldb5.slac.stanford.edu!fairfield
From: fairfield@sldb5.slac.stanford.edu
Subject: Re: Compose key on DEC LK401 keyboard on an Alpha 3000
Message-ID: <1995Feb20.155531.1@sldb5.slac.stanford.edu>
Lines: 19
Sender: news@unixhub.SLAC.Stanford.EDU
Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
References: <3i2qnj$83p@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk>
            <1995Feb19.230712.1@sldb6.slac.stanford.edu>
Date: Mon, 20 Feb 1995 23:55:31 GMT

A small correction to my post of last night:

In article <1995Feb19.230712.1@sldb6.slac.stanford.edu>, I wrote:
[...]
>     for  VXT1200  X-terminals, Table 15-4.  I've reformatted the  table,
>     and omitted some  of  the  compose  sequences  for  characters  that
>     normally appear on a US keyboard (e.g., <COMPOSE> A A for the number
>     sign,  #).                              ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

        That should have been <COMPOSE> + + to get the number sign, #.
    <COMPOSE> A A gives, instead, the commercial at sign, @.

        -Ken
--
 Kenneth H. Fairfield       |  Internet: Fairfield@Slac.Stanford.Edu
 SLAC, P.O.Box 4349, MS 98  |  DECnet:   45537::FAIRFIELD (45537=SLACVX)
 Stanford, CA   94309       |  Voice:    415-926-2924    FAX: 415-926-4335
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 These opinions are mine, not SLAC's, Stanford's, nor the DOE's...


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
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References:  <3i2qnj$83p@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 15:16:32 GMT
From: tjl@siva.bris.ac.uk (Tim Llewellyn)
Subject: Re: Compose key on DEC LK401 keyboard on an Alpha 3000


In article <3i2qnj$83p@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk>, zebra@cpcw16.uea.ac.uk (Julii
Brainard#) writes:

|>
|>I know that people have posted messages about this before, and I have
|>even saved a few, but there seems to be no authoritative guide for
|>how to use the compose key on an Alpha 3000 with an LK401 keyboard
|>to create all of those weird and wacky symbols and characters --
|>just a few of which may be useful in my work.
|>
|>Clumsy typing has led me to upside down question marks, copyright
|>symbol and much greater (less) signs, or
|>
|>
|>
|>
|>but that's a pretty paltry selection.  I keep searching newsgroups and
|>FAQs for how to get fancy symbols out of my keyboard, but nothing
|>seems applicable.  Advice on this from any one will be appreciated.
|>
|>Please email me and I will summarise back to group if there's anything
|>worth summarising.
|>
|>thanks,

Did you try the DecWindows Motif for OpenVMS Applications Guide,
Appendix A.


|>j
|>-- 
|>---- Julii Brainard,  Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
|>Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.  phone +44-1603-593127. email:  j.brainard@uea.ac.uk ---
|>  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
|>    Opinions Expressed are solely my own, not those of ENV or UEA.
|>
-- 
-----------------------------------------------------+------------------+
Tim Llewellyn - OpenVMS, Soukous and Cricket Addict  |Hey, and get wise |
Physicist Programmer, Bristol Uni Particle Physics.  | to the sounds of |
HEPNET/SPAN 19716::TJL Internet tjl@siva.bris.ac.uk  |   Africa,seen.   |
I speak for me and noone else OK (and I might even   | Soukous  Makossa |
change my mind sometimes!-) Atari and EMagic user too| Mbalax   HiLife..|
-----------------------------------------------------+------------------+


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
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      !xylogics.com!Xylogics.COM!carlson
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Reply-To: carlson@xylogics.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: newhub.xylogics.com
Keywords: vt220
Date: 9 Dec 1994 13:11:20 GMT
From: carlson@Xylogics.COM (James Carlson)
Subject: Re: A few vt220 questions

In article <jolomoD0GMrr.Ku7@netcom.com>,
 jolomo@netcom.com (Joe Morris) writes:
|>
|> Hi, I just got a spiffy vt220 terminal without a manual, so
|> I got a couple of questions:
|> 
|>      * What does "compose character" do?

It generates international characters using the VT Multinational
character set (which is somewhat similar to ISO 8859/1.2).

For example, typing COMPOSE L - (three keys) sends a British Pound sign,
and COMPOSE a " (also three keys) sends an a-umlaut.

|>      * What was the "Do" key used for?

Anything you want.  It's just another function key.

|>      * Can you reprogram the function keys?
|>        I'd love to set F1 to C-[ (vi-user alert!!)

No.  But you can reprogram the shifted function keys.  It takes a
special character sequence to do it -- there's no menu for it.

|>      * Any way to adjust the idle-screen-blanking time, it
|>        seems to be set to 4 hours

No.

---
James Carlson <carlson@xylogics.com>            Tel:  +1 617 272 8140
Annex Software Support / Xylogics, Inc.               +1 800 225 3317
53 Third Avenue / Burlington MA  01803-4491     Fax:  +1 617 272 2618


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!gatech!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!MathWorks.Com
      !transfer.stratus.com!xylogics.com!Xylogics.COM!carlson
Date: 29 Aug 1994 12:51:40 GMT
Organization: Xylogics Incorporated
Message-ID: <33slks$1vv@newhub.xylogics.com>
References: <DF.94Aug28040646@pollux.acs.oakland.edu>
From: carlson@Xylogics.COM (James Carlson)
Subject: Re: VT240 keyboard control


In article <DF.94Aug28040646@pollux.acs.oakland.edu>,
 df@pollux.acs.oakland.edu (Daniel Finster) writes:
|>
|> I have a new VT240 tty, and would like to do the following:
|> 
|>   Be able to program the 4 status lights

Nope.  There's no sequence on that terminal to do that.
The VT102 was the last one I've seen with that feature.


|>   Be able to load strings into the function keys

You can program the shifted function keys, but NOT the regular UNshifted
function keys.  The DECUDK sequence does this:

	<DCS> Pc ; Pl | Ky1 / st1 ; ky2 / st2 ... <ST>

For example, to program shift-F6 as "ABCD", use:

	<ESC>P1;1|17/41424344<ESC>\

See the programmer's reference manual for more information.

|>   And, if possible, be able to use COMPOSE CHARACTER as a Meta key

Nope.  The "compose" key is for generating international characters via
multi-key sequences.  For example, "COMPOSE a '" will transmit an
a-acute character.  (International keyboards usually have dedicated
diacritic keys; the "compose" key is there to allow support of
unimplemented codes.)

This function is hardwired.

--
James Carlson <carlson@xylogics.com>            Tel:  +1 617 272 8140
Annex Software Support / Xylogics, Inc.               +1 800 225 3317
53 Third Avenue / Burlington MA  01803-4491     Fax:  +1 617 272 2618

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: cs.utk.edu!gatech!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!MathWorks.Com!news2.near.net
      !noc.near.net!eisner!youdelman
From: billy@mix.com
Subject: Re: VT510 question
Message-ID: <1994Jul23.225326.4330@eisner>
Date: 23 Jul 94 22:53:26 -0400
References: <2227@thunder.LakeheadU.Ca> <1994Jul22.144354.46@cam1>
Organization: DECUServe

In article <2227@thunder.LakeheadU.Ca> Comp Ser
<gihill@thunder.LakeheadU.Ca> writes:

> 	We have just got a new VT510 terminal but can't for the life
> 	figure out how to enable the (ESC) key. I've tried various
> 	combinations of [CTRL], [SHIFT], [ALT], [COMPOSE] and (ESC)
> 	but nothing seems to work.  The manual is also silent.
 
Then in article <1994Jul22.144354.46@cam1> Javier Henderson
<henderson@mln.com> writes:

> Look at the setup menu for the keyboard, it lets you define what character
> the ESC key sends (there are other characters engraved on the key cap).

To be sure, you'll have to use the "define key" option in the set-up
menu to define this as you'd like.  As shipped (at least with V2.1
firmware) only the control function is defined, and that's as a record
seperator, not escape.  Well, at least DEC did label the key..  It
would probably been better to output an ESC instead of an RS though.

By the way, there is no specific mention of this even in the programmer
info (EK-VT510-RM) but the define key menu makes it easy to see nothing's
there as well as fixing it as you'd like.

Billy Y..


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: utkcs2!darwin.sura.net!jvnc.net!rutgers!att!cbfsb!cbnewsg.cb.att.com!bdr
From: bdr@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (brian.d.reed)
Subject: Re: Digital Keyboards - escape vs. tilde
Message-ID: <1992Jun2.124414.16008@cbfsb.cb.att.com>
Date: 2 Jun 92 12:44:14 GMT
References: <1992Jun2.115535.6575@devvax.mincom.oz.au>
Sender: news@cbfsb.cb.att.com
Organization: AT&T
Lines: 17

In article <1992Jun2.115535.6575@devvax.mincom.oz.au>,
 anita@devvax.mincom.oz.au writes:
>
>We are having a load of DECstations delivered. The users will be using
>emacs on Primos and Unix. They need access to the Escape key and the tilde
>key, so using the decterm option to have ~ as <escape> will not be good
>enough.

You can define the ESC key as ESC, and then use ALT ESC to get a tilde.
If you don't have the ALT key, the COMPOSE key should do the ALT function.
You can also define the <> key to generate a tilde.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
|  Brian D. Reed             | Don't blame AT&T for me.               |
|  AT&T Network Systems      | Don't blame me for AT&T.               |
|  Columbus, Ohio            |                                        |
|  bdr@cbnewsg.cb.att.com    | Try a Darn Cool Language.              |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!stc06.CTD.ORNL.GOV!fnnews.fnal.gov!mp.cs.niu.edu
      !vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu
      !caen!crl.dec.com!crl.dec.com!jac.zko.dec.com!usenet
From: hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com (Stephen Hoffman)
Subject: Re: Control keys for DEC VT1300/LK401
Date: 6 Feb 1995 23:04:56 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp
Lines: 36
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <3h69uo$ev@jac.zko.dec.com>
References: <3h06pr$5nn@pdq.coe.montana.edu>
Reply-To: hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com (Stephen Hoffman)
NNTP-Posting-Host: XDELTA
X-Newsreader: mxrn 6.18-16


In article <3h06pr$5nn@pdq.coe.montana.edu>, uphllds@gemini.oscs.montana.edu
(David Skinner) writes:

:I now have a VT1300 X-terminal with the LK401-AA keyboard, both of which are
:DEC products.  I would like to make my keyboard function more like a PC-style
:keyboard (101 key).  I am mostly concerned with being able to have a
:Control-key on both sides of the space bar.

<snip>

:2. If not 1, then what replacement keyboard would do the trick as in 1?
:   I spent a lot of time on the phone to 5 different DEC personnel and clearly
:   obtained 5 different answers as to what keyboard could replace the 401.
:   Basically, I am very willing to spend $100 if I can know for SURE what
:   keyboard to buy.

    I believe there is an LK4xx-series keyboard with the 101 key (US)
    PC layout -- the LK443.  Confirm with the folks at 1-800-DIGITAL
    before you order this, as I don't have any information specific
    to the VT1300-series terminal.  (And I have neither an LK443 nor
    a VT1300 around in order to try this combination.)

    I don't know that you're ever going to get a *sure* answer, as I
    don't know that this particular combination was ever tried -- and
    it's been a while since the VT1300 was sold.  And if you don't or
    can't get an answer, ask if you can return the LK443 keyboard for
    full credit -- should it not work for your intended application.

    (Using a PC-layout keyboard is bit painful on OpenVMS, as many of
    the applications have expectations around the numeric keypad...)

  ------------------------------ Opinionative -------------------------------
   Stephen Hoffman, NR EMT-I, WEMT, N1THN        hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com
        OpenVMS Engineering, Digital Equipment Corporation, Nashua NH


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.unix.ultrix
Path: cs.utk.edu!stc06.CTD.ORNL.GOV!fnnews.fnal.gov!uwm.edu
      !lll-winken.llnl.gov!usenet
From: oberman@icaen.llnl.gov
Subject: RE: DEC LK401 keyboard replacement?
Date: Wed,  1 Feb 95 15:44:22 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Lines: 18
Message-ID: <3goa3s$qfh@lll-winken.llnl.gov>
References: <3gmafd$fra@larch.cc.swarthmore.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: rogue.llnl.gov

In Article <3gmafd$fra@larch.cc.swarthmore.edu>
hirai@cs.swarthmore.edu (Eiji Hirai) writes:
>
>I'm looking for a replacement for the standard DEC LK401 keyboards
>that come with DECstations and Alphas.
>
>My coworker's wrist are getting really strained because of these keyboards
>and was wondering if there were 3rd party alternatives, especially anything
>that feels like the NCD X terminal keyboards or Sun Type 4 keyboards.


I just plugged in my trusty old LK201 and it works just fine. I know a lot of
people object to key placement, but I've gotten used to it. Otherwise, it's a
wonderful keyboard. No more sore hands!

R. Kevin Oberman			
Energy Sciences Network (ESnet)
National Energy Research Supercomputer Center (NERSC)
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Internet: koberman@llnl.gov		+1 510-422-6955


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: utkcs2!darwin.sura.net!mips!mips!decwrl!deccrl!news.crl.dec.com
      !hollie.rdg.dec.com!decvax.dec.com!ih82w8.zk3.dec.com!evans
Message-ID: <1992Jun2.151721.18743@decvax.dec.com>
Sender: usenet@decvax.dec.com (Usenet News System)
Nntp-Posting-Host: ih82w8.zk3.dec.com
Reply-To: evans@zk3.DEC.COM
Organization: Synergytics
References:  <1992Jun2.115535.6575@devvax.mincom.oz.au>
Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1992 15:17:21 GMT
From: evans@ih82w8.zk3.dec.com (Marc Evans <Consultant>)
Subject: Re: Digital Keyboards - escape vs. tilde

In article <1992Jun2.115535.6575@devvax.mincom.oz.au>,
 anita@devvax.mincom.oz.au writes:
|>
|> This may be an FAQ but.....
|> 
|> We are having a load of DECstations delivered. The users will be using
|> emacs on Primos and unix. They need access to the escape key and the tilde
|> key, so using the decterm option to have ~ as <escape> will not be good
|> enough.
|> 
|> What do other people do?

I add the following lines to my $HOME/.xsession file:

xmodmap -e 'keysym comma = comma less'
xmodmap -e 'keysym period = period greater'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 191 = Escape'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 201 = grave asciitilde'

- Marc
-- 
===========================================================================
Marc Evans - Marc@Synergytics.COM           | Synergytics     (603)635-8876
WB1GRH     - WB1GRH@W2XO.#WPA.PA.USA.NOAM   | 21 Hinds Ln, Pelham, NH 03076
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Unix and X Software Consultant
===========================================================================


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Path: cs.utk.edu!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!MathWorks.Com!mvb.saic.com!info-vax
Message-ID: <01HBK89PYRPE8ZE7J0@kopc.hhs.dk>
Organization: Info-Vax<==>Comp.Os.Vms Gateway
X-Gateway-Source-Info: Mailing List
Lines: 29
Date: Sun, 24 Apr 1994 17:38:41 +0100
From: Arne Vajhoej <ARNE@kopc.hhs.dk>
Subject: Re: replacing crlf...

> >> ($ following means escape, ctl-3 on my keyboard)
> >
> >       I was under the impression that CNTL-3 on most (all?)
> >       keyboards generated the ESC character.
> >
> >       Can anybody verify that this is a defacto standard?
> >
> 
>         Well, I ever never seen or heard of  it.  I just tested the LK250
> that I'm typing on.  Pressing Ctrl-3 twice yields no visible result while
> typing in EDT.  Pressing Ctrl-[ twice inserts an <ESC> character in the
> text.
> 
>         *DEC* keyboards have used Ctrl-[ since the VT200 series terminals
> and the LK201 keyboard. The VT100 series had an escape key and didn't need
> to define a Ctrl key.
> 
>         I suspect that it's a DEC standard and maybe even an ANSI standard.


CTRL-[ and CTRL-3 are both documented to generate an ESC in both the
VT320 and VT420 manuals !


                                                          Arne

Arne Vajhj                             local DECNET:  KO::ARNE
Computer Department                     PSI:           PSI%238310013040::ARNE
Business School of Southern Denmark     Internet:      ARNE@KO.HHS.DK


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Path: cs.utk.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken.llnl.gov
      !uwm.edu!news.alpha.net!news.mathworks.com!mvb.saic.com!info-vax
From: Jerry Leichter <leichter@lrw.com>
Subject: RE: keyboards?
Message-ID: <9503011633.AA16269@uu3.psi.com>
Date: Wed,  1 Mar 1995 11:15:55 EDT
Organization: Info-Vax<==>Comp.Os.Vms Gateway

	at the major risk of starting a flame war, i timidly ask the
	following:

	I'm working on a Sun box with a type 5 keyboard.  i've used and prefer
	the LK-series DEC keyboards.  Many of the people arround me [and me
	too soon. *sigh*] have migrated to PC.  The keyboards feel and even
	sound cheap.  is there *any* way to be able to use

        (1) [preferred] a DEC LK-series keyboard on my Sun and later on
            the PC i'll be forced to use? [and what about the mouse?]

     or (2) change to one of the LK's when I go to the PC?

My sympathies.

The traditional DEC LK keyboards won't work on anything but DEC equipment.
However, DEC does make LK-series PC-compatible keyboards (LK-450?  I really
don't keep track of the numbers) which should work with any PC.  These are
built the same way as traditional DEC keyboards and would have the same
"feel" you are used to.  Until recently, however, they were only available
in the PC layout.  The PC layout has a slightly different numeric keypad
(I don't have one in front of me, but I think it's just a double-height {-}
key and no {,} key), different labels on the small cluster above the arrow
keys, and of course such fun things as Num Lock.

For the latest PCI-based Alphas running VMS, DEC came out with a new keyboard
which apparently has the standard PC electrical and signaling interface, but
the traditional DEC LK layout.  Theoretically, you could use this one on any
PC, though you'd probably have to write or find somewhere a keyboard
re-mapper, since the keys wouldn't match what the PC was expecting.  Probably
not a big job - but then, I'm not the one would would have to do it!

I don't know anything about the interface characteristics of the Sun type 5
keyboards.  If they follow the PC electrical standards, in theory you could
put in one of the PC-standard DEC keyboards.
							-- Jerry

 = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- = -- =

 (circa 2000)

 [SunExpress (1-800-873-7869 or +1 781-442-3183 or <customer@sun.com>) sells
  a Keyboard Interface Adapter, product X465A ($75 U.S.), which can connect
  PC-style keyboards to a Sun workstation.  (Ultra 10 or older)

    http://www.sun.com/sunexpress/na/catalog/us_english/parts/X465A.html

  Kenesis also has a similar product.  ...RSS]

 ..............................................................................

 2005: The above URL is stale, and new Sun workstations use USB keyboards.

 But Kenesis may still carry the equivalent to the X465A.

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Path: cs.utk.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!caen
      !crl.dec.com!crl.dec.com!nntpd.lkg.dec.com!star.enet.dec.com!kleinsorge
From: kleinsorge@star.enet.dec.com (Fred Kleinsorge)
Subject: Re: keyboards?
Date: 6 Mar 1995 15:31:26 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Message-ID: <3jf9se$jlq@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>
References: <9503011453.AA02451@ce205001> <3j52s1$oc6@gap.cco.caltech.edu>
Reply-To: kleinsorge@star.enet.dec.com (Fred Kleinsorge)


>In article <9503011453.AA02451@ce205001>,
 bill@cec.mc.xerox.com ("Witch's Bear") writes:
>
>>
>>	at the major risk of starting a flame war, i timidly ask the
>>	following:
>>
>>	I'm working on a Sun box with a type 5 keyboard.  i've used and prefer
>>	the LK-series DEC keyboards.
> ____________________________________________________________________________
>
>Short answer - I don't know.  
>
> However, my 2100 A500MP uses an LK411 keyboard, and as I determined by
> inspection, has a standard PS/2 type connector on it (and works fine with a
> PS/2 keyboard extender cable.)  So physically, it would plug into most
> modern PCs.  It *might* work, although what it would do with the extra key
> on the numeric keypad is anyone's guess. If you're into self-flagellation
> you could call 1/800 DIGITAL and ask for prepurchase technical information.
> (However, don't expect much - these fine folks couldn't even tell me that
> the LK411 had a PS/2 connector on it!) 


  The LK250 and LK450 are PC-compatible keyboards.  They require new
  device drivers for DOS/Windows/NT use to allow them to switch between
  "DEC" mode and "PC" mode.  They have engravings for both layouts on
  them.

  The LK411 looks identical to the LK401, and is a LK450 without the
  local "DEC mode" switching functionality.  It does NOT have PC
  keyboard engravings on the keys.  I believe there are DOS/Windows
  drivers for this keyboard.

  OSF/1 and OpenVMS Alpha can use the LK450 and LK411 without a
  problem (their drivers understand the keyboards).  Any other system
  (like your Sun) is likely to support it in a limited fashion - as
  a PC keyboard (some of the keys would not work).

  They are PS2-compatible electrically, and support all of the PS2
  keyboard commands and modes.  They send "extra" key codes.

-- 
                              +--------------------------------------+
Fred Kleinsorge               | All opinions expressed are mine, and |
kleinsorge@star.enet.dec.com  | may not reflect those of my employer |
                              +--------------------------------------+

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Excerpts from the OpenVMS FAQ: see    http://eisner.decus.org/vms/faq.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DECW7.  Problem - My LK401 keyboard unexpectedly autorepeats

There are several modes of failure:

a) Pressing 2 and 3 keys at the same time causes one key to autorepeat when
   released.  Check the hardware revision level printed on the bottom of the
   keyboard.  If the revision level is C01, the keyboard firmware is broken.
   Call field service to replace the keyboard with any revision level other
   than C01.


b) Pressing certain keys is always broken.  Typical symptoms are: delete
   always causes a autorepeat, return needs to be pressed twice, etc.  This is
   frequently caused by having keys depressed while the keyboard is being
   initialized.  Pressing ^F2 several times or unplugging and replugging the
   keyboard frequently fix this problem.  There is a patch available to fix
   this problem [contact the CSC for information - a CSCPAT number will be
   included here when available. - Ed.]


c) A key that was working spontaneously stops working correctly. This may be
   either (a) or (b) or it may be bad firmware.  Ensure that you have the most
   recent firmware installed on your CPU.  An old version of the DEC 3000
   firmware had a bug that could cause this symptom.

                                        [kleinsorge@star.enet.dec.com]

------------------------------------------------------------

DECW8.  Problem - My LK411 sends the wrong keycodes or some keys are dead

Check the firmware revision on the keyboard.  Hardware revision B01 introduced
an incompatability with the device driver which causes the keyboard to not be
recognized correctly.  There is a patch available to fix this problem:
[AXPDRIV06_061] - the fix is also included in OpenVMS V6.2.  The rev A01
keyboard, and the LK450 should work without problems.
                                        [kleinsorge@star.enet.dec.com]
                                        [inazu_k@ewbv21.enet.dec.com]


 \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

More Excerpts from the OpenVMS FAQ:
-----------------------------------

MISC2.  What are the escape sequences for the VTxxx function keys?

In the following, <CSI> is decimal code 155 and can be replaced by the
sequence "<ESC>[" (without the quotes), SS3 is decimal code 143 and can be
replaced by "<ESC>O".  VT1xx terminals don't accept <CSI> and <SS3>.

PF1=<SS3>P PF2=<SS3>Q PF3=<SS3>R PF4=<SS3>S
KP0=<SS3>p KP1=<SS3>q KP2=<SS3>r KP3=<SS3>s KP4=<SS3>t KP5=<SS3>u
KP6=<SS3>v KP7=<SS3>w KP8=<SS3>x KP9=<SS3>y KPCOMMA=<SS3>l KPMINUS=<SS3>m
KPPERIOD=<SS3>n ENTER=<SS3>M DNARROW=<CSI>B UPARROW=<CSI>A LFARROW=<CSI>D
RTARROW=<CSI>C FIND=<CSI>1~ INSERT=<CSI>2~ REMOVE=<CSI>3~ SELECT=<CSI>4~
PREV=<CSI>5~ NEXT=<CSI>6~ F6=<CSI>17~ F7=<CSI>18~ F8=<CSI>19~ F9=<CSI>20~
F10=<CSI>21~ F11=<CSI>23~ F12=<CSI>24~ F13=<CSI>25~ F14=<CSI>26~
HELP=<CSI>28~ DO=<CSI>29~ F17=<CSI>31~ F18=<CSI>32~ F19=<CSI>33~ F20=<CSI>34~

These and other control sequences can be found in SYS$SYSTEM:SMGTERMS.TXT

------------------------------------------------------------

MISC3.  Can I reuse old keyboards, mice and monitors with a PC?

Older DIGITAL keyboards (with RJ modular jacks), older DIGITAL mice (with RJ
modular jacks, or with a DIN connector with pins in a configuration other than
the PC-standard DIN connector pin orientation), and older video monitors (with
RGB sync-on-green video signaling) all use signaling formats and/or
communications protocols that differ from the PC standards, and are neither
interchangable nor compatible with typical PC peripheral device controllers.
LK201, LK401, VSXXX, VR260, VR290, etc., are incompatible with most PC
systems.

Newer DIGITAL keyboards (with DIN plugs), newer DIGITAL mice (with PC-pin DIN
plugs), and newer video monitors (multi-synch) are often interchangeable with
`industry standard' PC systems, and can often be used with most PC peripheral
device controllers. LK461, LK471, PC7XS-CA, VRC16, VRC21, etc., are compatible
with most PC systems.

Rule of thumb: if the peripheral device component was sold for use with the
DEC 2000 (DECpc 150 AXP), an AlphaServer series, an AlphaStation series, or
more recent system, it will probably  work with a PC peripheral controller.
If the peripheral device component was sold for use with an VT420 or older
terminal, most VAX, most VAXstation, and most Alpha systems with names in the
format `DEC <four-digit-number>', it probably won't work on a PC.

Note that the above is a general guideline, and should not be read to indicate
that any particular peripheral device will or will not work in any particular
configuration, save for those specific configurations the device is explicitly
supported in.
                                        [hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com]

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!cssun.mathcs.emory.edu!emory!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net
 !news-e1a.megaweb.com!newstf01.news.aol.com!newsbf02.news.aol.com!not-for-mail
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Sender: root@newsbf02.news.aol.com
Message-ID: <3pqclt$9bm@newsbf02.news.aol.com>
References: <3pna6c$jq2@si-nic.hrz.uni-siegen.de>
Date: 22 May 1995 12:04:13 -0400
From: psichel@aol.com (Peter Sichel)
Subject: Re: LK201 info needed

In article: <3pna6c$jq2@si-nic.hrz.uni-siegen.de>,
Michael Engel requests information on the LK201 keyboard.

The keyboard uses a four wire electrical interface that appears
as below when viewed from the end of the keyboard cable.

    +---------+
    | 1 2 3 4 |
    +--+   +--+
       +---+

1) Rxd (Data to keyboard)
2) Gnd
3) +12v
4) Txd (Data from keyboard)

The transmit and receive data signals are serial asynchronous,
RS-232 like, at 4800 baud (8 data bits and a stop bit).

Power consumption depends on the exact version you have.
The first version shipped in 1983 could draw up to 350 ma
(with all four LEDs and beeper on).  More recent CMOS versions
(like yours) use less than 100ma.

The custom chip you mention is probably the keyboard interface chip
and contains the -12v charge pump (for RS-232), the RS-232 drivers
and receivers, the LED driver, and the beeper driver.

The keyboard transmits scan codes when keys are depressed (and
released in up-down mode).  You can contact me directly for a
more detailed spec (peter.sichel@mro.mts.dec.com).

The firmware source code has not been published.

The LK201 and LK401 cannot be used on the VT510 and Dorio terminals.
These terminals were designed to work with off-the-shelf PS/2
compatible keyboards that use a radically different interface.

Good luck,

- Peter

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!gatech!atglab.bls.com!emory!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net
      !nntp.crl.com!decwrl!pa.dec.com!depot.mro.dec.com!mrnews.mro.dec.com
      !hannah.enet.dec.com!hedberg
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Message-ID: <3pubm3$79u@mrnews.mro.dec.com>
References: <3pna6c$jq2@si-nic.hrz.uni-siegen.de>
Date: 24 MAY 1995 00:06:07
From: hedberg@hannah.enet.dec.com (Bill Hedberg)
Subject: Re: LK201 info needed

-Message-Text-Follows-

In article <3pna6c$jq2@si-nic.hrz.uni-siegen.de>,
 engel@numerik.fb6.uni-siegen.de (Michael Engel) writes...
>
>Hello all,
> 
>I just got hold of some LK201 keyboard and would like to get some 
>information on the following details:
> 
  < snip - can't help with h/w pinout >
> 
>Any help is appreciated.
>Btw, is it possible to connect a LK201 to a DEC VT510 or Dorio ? Or do these 
>exclusively use PC-style keyboards ?

  It may be possible to make an adapter to connect an LK201 to a
  6-pin PS/2 type connector, but there is no purchasable adapter.

  For this reason it is not possible to use an LK201 keyboard with
  a VT510 or Dorio terminal.

..............................................................................
Bill Hedberg           Digital Equipment Corp., Video Architecture Engineering
For more info call 1-800-777-4343 or e-mail terminals@digital.com
http://www.digital.com               ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/DEC/termcaps
ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/archive/pub/DEC/DECinfo/document/vt5xx
..............................................................................


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!cssun.mathcs.emory.edu!emory!gatech!news.mathworks.com
      !news.kei.com!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!crl.dec.com!crl.dec.com!pa.dec.com
      !nntpd.lkg.dec.com!usenet
From: Peter Sichel <sichel@hannah.mro1.dec.com>
Subject: Re: Connect Telephone Handset cord to VT220
Date: 19 Jun 1995 13:47:44 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Message-ID: <3s3v60$q1h@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>
References: <3rcgq7$mre@newstand.syr.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: dial20_port2.mro.dec.com
To: gsdepalm@mailbox.syr.edu

gsdepalm@mailbox.syr.edu (Guy S. Depalma) wrote:
>
> Can you connect a telephone handset cord from the keyboard to the 
> terminal? The connector size appears to be correct.


You need to be careful.  If you have a newer LK201 with
green LEDs, or an LK401, it should work fine.  If you have an
older LK201 such as the original keyboard that shipped with
the VT220, it's not safe.  The original LK201 could draw up to
350 mA (before CMOS was widely available).  This is more than
a telephone handset cord can safely handle.

The cord could overheat and become a fire hazard.

- Peter


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Organization: System Management ARTS
Message-ID: <34673A06.69AE@smarts.com>
References: <346077A3.6B5C0AA9@bu.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: just.smarts.com
To: Christopher Moylan <crm0922@bu.edu>
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 11:44:54 -0500
From: Jerry Leichter <leichter@smarts.com>
Subject: Re: vt220 start up error!

| I just bought a DEC vt220 from some bum on the internet, and it doesn't
| seem to work correctly (despite that it was sold as working)....  
| Here's the problem:  When I turn the terminal on, it says Wait, and 
| then it says "VT220 Keyboard Error 4" as if the keyboard was not 
| attached.  I have tried different connection cables, and all
| connections appear to be making good contact....

The keyboard connection on a VT220 is a standard RS232 link at the
logical level (with only four of the lines connected, of course).  The
terminal startup test code does a handshake with the keyboard; it sends
it a "what's out there?" message, and the keyboard (which contains an
8051 with a bunch of software) is expected to send back an appropriate ID.

You could have

 (a) a bad keyboard
 (b) a blown RS-232 interface in the terminal.

BTW, you say you tried different connection cables.  Where did you get
them from?  If you used telephone cables ... they won't work.  (A
standard telephone cable exchanges two of the wires.  A VT2xx needs a
"straight through" cable.  This is the logical equivalent of the need
for a "null modem".)

BTW, a warning:  Do *not* use a standard telephone cable to connect the
keyboard!  This has been known to cause fires.  (A VT100 cable contains
real wire.  A telephone-cable conductor is folded-over foil, and has 
significantly higher resistance.  If a short develops in the keyboard, 
the higher resistance can effectively disable safety circuitry in the VT200.
This is not just a theoretical possibility - actual fires have been
reported.)
                                                        -- Jerry


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

A vendor offering customized keycaps for DEC (and other) keyboards:

    Hooleon Corporation
    Dept. T-509
    PO Box 230
    Cornville, AZ  86325
    WATS voice: 1-800/937-1337

    http://www.hooleon.com/

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!stc06.ctd.ornl.gov!fnnews.fnal.gov!usenet.eel.ufl.edu
      !news.mathworks.com!gatech!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!unix.sri.com
      !news.Stanford.EDU!nntp-hub2.barrnet.net!news1.digital.com!pa.dec.com
      !nntpd.lkg.dec.com!dial20_port2.mro.dec.com!user
From: sichel@hannah.enet.dec.com (Peter Sichel)
Subject: Re: VT100 documentation troubles
Date: Tue, 25 Jul 1995 15:03:07 -0400
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Message-ID: <sichel-2507951503070001@dial20_port2.mro.dec.com>
References: <3u4lg2$2om@ill.msilink.com>
            <sichel-1607951228300001@dial20_port2.mro.dec.com>
            <s8rb3my60c.fsf@athena.nuclecu.unam.mx>

In article <s8rb3my60c.fsf@athena.nuclecu.unam.mx>,
miguel@roxanne.nuclecu.unam.mx wrote:

> Ok, this raises an interesting question: For the xterm and vt2xx
> terminals, the official termcap and terminfo databases list the escape
> sequences for the cursor movement keys as the sequences sent when the
> terminal is in the keypad mode on (the mode set by the ks capability),
> while the cursor movement keys in the keypad off mode send a different
> sequence.  
> 
> Is there any reason to keep those sequences separated?

Notice "Cursor Keys Mode" reset/set is separate from "Keypad Mode"
Numeric/Application.  Cursor Keys Mode, when set allows the four arrow keys
to send Application Function sequences instead of their usual ANSI
cursor movement sequences.  I don't know of any reason to distinguish
these anymore.  I suppose when the VT100 was introduced the ANSI
cursor key sequences were not yet widely accepted.

-- 
- Peter Sichel
  C&P Video Terminals Architecture
  Digital Equipment Corporation


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.os.vms,comp.sys.dec
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Message-ID: <424t85$q2p@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>
Reply-To: hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com (Stephen Hoffman)
References: <144543@cup.portal.com>
Distribution: world
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp
NNTP-Posting-Host: xdelta.enet.dec.com
X-Newsreader: mxrn 6.18-32
Lines: 19
Date: 31 Aug 1995 17:58:29 GMT
From: hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com (Stephen Hoffman)
Subject: Re: Q: Add DO and KEYPAD MINUS to AlphaStation keyboard?


In article <144543@cup.portal.com>, Chris_F_Chiesa@cup.portal.com writes:
:
:I've recently been given charge of several AlphaStations, eventually to
:run Windows NT (odd that I see NO Usenet Newsgroup for NT yet) but currently
:running OpenVMS AXP V6.2.  The purpose is to run my company's character-
:cell-oriented turnkey software application, in a DECterm window.  The 
:application relies heavily on the "DO" key, which is absent from the Alpha-
:Station's PC-style keyboard. Also missing are "Keypad Minus" (no physical
:key where this one "should" be; just a double-height "Keypad Comma" key 
:wanna-be) and (as far as I can tell) "<" and ">" (despite the presence of 
:key CAPS labeled with < and > ). 

  It's probably easier to order the LK411 or LK450 keyboard either
  seperately or with the system, and you'll have the `traditional'
  keyboard layout on your AlphaStation.

  ------------------------------ Opinionative -------------------------------
   Stephen Hoffman      OpenVMS Engineering      hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: cs.utk.edu!nntp.memphis.edu!nntp.msstate.edu!emory!gatech
      !howland.reston.ans.net!EU.net!CERN.ch!rscernix!danpop
Subject: Re: DEC 3000/500 - Keyboard Options?
Message-ID: <danpop.813624657@rscernix>
From: Dan.Pop@mail.cern.ch (Dan Pop)
Date: Fri, 13 Oct 1995 22:50:57 GMT
Sender: news@news.cern.ch (USENET News System)
References: <pburgessDGB10J.K7t@netcom.com> <45kf0m$aqk@usenet.pa.dec.com>
Organization: CERN European Lab for Particle Physics

In <45kf0m$aqk@usenet.pa.dec.com> mogul@pa.dec.com (Jeffrey Mogul) writes:
>
>The LK421-AA is plug-compatible with the LK401-AA, but is smaller
>and has a much nicer layout for UNIX users.  You'd probably be
>fairly happy with it.  I believe the list price is the same as for
>the LK401-AA.
>
>Although there is no separate keypad (and so you don't have to reach
>nearly as far for your mouse, if you are right-handed), the keypad
>keys can all be generated using an "Extend" key (the appropriate
>keys are labelled on the front side).

You can have a look at its layout with the command "dxkeycaps -kbd lk421".
After seeing the placement of the arrow keys, you might decide to ignore
this option.  Or maybe not.

On the plus side: it has an Escape key!

Dan
--
Dan Pop
CERN, CN Division
Email: Dan.Pop@mail.cern.ch 
Mail:  CERN - PPE, Bat. 31 R-004, CH-1211 Geneve 23, Switzerland

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

From "Digital UNIX (DEC OSF/1) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)"


M7. How do I type an ESC (escape) character on a DEC keyboard?

1. Use F11 on the LK201 or LK401 (in some keyboard modes--such as VT100 mode).

2. Use Ctrl-[ (left bracket)

3. Adjust the keyboard mapping in DECterm, if that's what you're using.

4. Use dxkeycaps to produce commands for xmodmap. See the manual pages
        for details.

5. Get an LK421-AA keyboard, a North American keyboard designed for UNIX
        systems.  It has an ESC key, no caps lock, and the keypad has
        been removed so the keyboard is smaller.

                                [Castor Fu, castor@drizzle.Stanford.EDU]


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!decwrl!pa.dec.com
      !depot.mro.dec.com!mrnews.mro.dec.com!news
From: mac <mcdonald@refine.enet.dec.com>
Subject: Re: VT220 keyboard for PC
Date: 13 Nov 1995 13:38:57 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation - Marlboro, MA
Lines: 15
Message-ID: <487hph$n6e@mrnews.mro.dec.com>
References: <DHAIBL.HzC@news.hawaii.edu> <DHnnDq.JA2@news.hawaii.edu>

mhodges@Hawaii.Edu (Michael  Hodges) wrote:
>
>Thanks for all of the input, suggestions, etc.  They are much appreciated.
>I have many more options than I imagined.
>
>I do believe that the DEC keyboards have a slightly different connector
>than the PC.  I was told this though and haven't seen it for myself.
>

  Nope, only the earlier keyboards used on the VT420 and prior. All the
  keyboards
  used on our TERMINALS since VT510 have used an industry-standard connector
  (both PC and VT style keyboards). The LK411 model keyboard has a standard
  VT layout, standard PC keyboard connector and lists for $60.

                                                                   - Mac 

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!gatech!news.mathworks.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu
      !chi-news.cic.net!uwm.edu!lll-winken.llnl.gov!fnnews.fnal.gov
      !nntp-server.caltech.edu!altair.krl.caltech.edu!shoppa
Organization: Kellogg Radiation Lab, Caltech
Message-ID: <4brpv7$h7n@gap.cco.caltech.edu>
References: <4bqa4m$li@tkhut.sojourn.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: altair.krl.caltech.edu
Date: 27 Dec 1995 15:49:59 GMT
From: shoppa@altair.krl.caltech.edu (Tim Shoppa)
Subject: Re: Info needed on "proper" vt-100 emulation...


In article <4bqa4m$li@tkhut.sojourn.com>,
John Goggan <jgoggan@sojourn1.sojourn.com> wrote:
>
>Ok, I know that this often just causes arguments, but I'm hoping someone 
>can help me here.  Here's the situation:  I have a software package 
>(sorry, but it'll have to remain nameless for now due to some contract 
>stuff :) that states it supports "VT100 emulation."

As an aside, if you do need good VT100 emulation on a PC-type
platform, I can heartily recommend either MS-DOS Kermit or
Kermit 95.  These even come with a tool that put Gold (aka PF1)
where God intended it to be!

>  Now, I have tried 
>several different TCP/IP telnet clients in VT100 emulation mode 
>(including "telnet" equivalents by FTP Software, Microsoft, and Novell).  
>In all of these, "F5" does not come out properly -- the software I am 
>using at the other end does not see F5, but sinstead gets some garbage.  
>If I remember correctly, the true DEC VT100 terminal does not even have 
>an F5 key, does it?

Right.  I'm typing this on a true VT100 at this very moment, as
a matter of fact.

>  I believe that is why the confusion the problems 
>like this occured -- because different vendors implemented "F5" 
>different, correct?

I would argue that a good VT100 emulator should send nothing
at all if F5 is pressed.  Numerous problems have developed
with the widespread availability of "enhanced" VT100 emulators - 
resulting in many software packages that cannot be used from
true VT100's!

>In any case, an argument has now developed over this situation.  I am 
>tending to argue that since the "F5" codes from Novell, Microsoft, and 
>FTP software seem to match each other -- that THEY are doing what is 
>proper.  On the other hand, the software vendor is arguing that they went 
>with what was the "most common definition of F5" that they found -- and 
>therefore, it is Novell, MS, and FTP (among others) that are wrong -- and 
>that if they cannot be re-mapped, then we'll have to buy a different 
>front-end telnet client to use.  (Of course, they won't even tell us 
>their recommended telnet client -- they don't have one -- which makes it 
>real convienent for them, eh?)
>
>So -- basically, my question is this: is there a written "standard" 
>anywhere for the key definitions for "VT100 emulation"?  Or is it simply 
>a moot point because the original/true DEC VT100 terminals did not do 
>"F5" (or something like that)?


It is a moot point.  There ** is no ** VT100 F5 key, so there can be no
standard "VT100" F5.

Technically, a real VT100 doesn't even have F1-F4; instead it has
PF1-PF4 on the numeric pad.  If you want more function
keys, go to a good VT220 or VT320 emulator.  Otherwise you're tying
yourself into a specific emulator product.  Unfortunately, this
is all too common a problem today...

If I had a dollar for every application I have that supposedly worked
with "VT100" terminals but actually only works with one specific
enhanced emulation of a "VT100", I'd be rich.

For some good information about terminals and emulators, use...

[    http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal_index.html  ]


Even better, find someone with a real VT100 manual and only
use what's in there.  Best of all, get a real VT100 and test
your application using that.  I've got a few dozen in
my garage (with manuals... hint,hint.)

Tim. (shoppa@altair.krl.caltech.edu)


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: cs.utk.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in1.uu.net
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       !nntpd.lkg.dec.com!usenet
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Distribution: world
Message-ID: <4bs9gn$tl4@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>
References: <4bqa4m$li@tkhut.sojourn.com>
Lines: 86
Date: 27 Dec 1995 20:15:19 GMT
From: hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com (Stephen Hoffman)
Subject: Re: Info needed on "proper" vt-100 emulation...

In article <4bqa4m$li@tkhut.sojourn.com>, 
jgoggan@sojourn1.sojourn.com (John Goggan) writes:
:
:Ok, I know that this often just causes arguments, but I'm hoping someone 
:can help me here.  Here's the situation:  I have a software package 
:(sorry, but it'll have to remain nameless for now due to some contract 
:stuff :) that states it supports "VT100 emulation."
:
: Now, I have tried 
:several different TCP/IP telnet clients in VT100-emulation mode 
:(including "telnet" equivalents by FTP Software, Microsoft, and Novell).  
:In all of these, "F5" does not come out properly -- the software I am 
:using at the other end does not see F5, but sinstead gets some garbage.  
:If I remember correctly, the true DEC VT100 terminal does not even have 
:an F5 key, does it?  I believe that is why the confusion the problems 
:like this occured -- because different vendors implemented "F5" 
:different, correct?
:
:In any case, an argument has now developed over this situation.  I am 
:tending to argue that since the "F5" codes from Novell, Microsoft, and 
:FTP software seem to match each other -- that THEY are doing what is 
:proper.  On the other hand, the software vendor is arguing that they went 
:with what was the "most common definition of F5" that they found -- and 
:therefore, it is Novell, MS, and FTP (among others) that are wrong -- and 
:that if they cannot be re-mapped, then we'll have to buy a different 
:front-end telnet client to use.  (Of course, they won't even tell us 
:their recommended telnet client -- they don't have one -- which makes it 
:real convienent for them, eh?)
:
:So -- basically, my question is this: is there a written "standard" 
:anywhere for the key definitions for "VT100 emulation"?  Or is it simply 
:a moot point because the original/true DEC VT100 terminals did not do 
:"F5" (or something like that)?

  There is NO  <F5> key on the VT100, so the whole argument is (IMNSHO)
  entirely moot.

  On a Digital VT-series terminal or terminal emulator, the <F5> key is
  one of the keys that does not (by default) send an ASCII character or
  ANSI character sequence from the terminal to the host on the VT200-series
  and later terminals.  Under device-specific circumstances, the <F5> key
  can be used to (deliberately) generate a framing error -- a deliberately-
  generated framing error is usually called a <BREAK> -- on the serial line.

  In addition to the <BREAK>, there _is_ an ANSI-defined <F5> keyboard
  sequence, and some terminals and terminal emulators have chosen to allow
  it to be (optionally) sent to the host.  (The Digital VT420 is one such
  terminal -- one can set <F5> to send the <F5> sequence ("<esc>[15~")
  function key sequence, to send a <BREAK>, or one can disable it and use
  it as a "decoration" key -- using the VT420 keyboard set-up screen.)

  If the emulator has decided to send something when <F5> is pressed, then
  it is (at least in this area) a superset of the Digital VT100.  When <F5>
  is pressed, if the emulator chooses (by default) to send something to the
  host that is not the defined <F5> sequence ("<esc>[15~") nor the <BREAK>,
  then the emulator implementation is (in my opinion) incorrect.

	--

  Here are the part numbers for the VT100 documentation.  Note that there
  were several different variations of the VT100 -- some had the Advanced
  Video Option (AVO), and there were various other options available for
  the terminal that could be stuffed into the VT100 expansion card cage.

	EK-VT100-RC   VT100 PROGRAM REFERENCE CARD
	EK-VT100-TM   VT100 TECHNICAL MANUAL
	EK-VT100-UG   VT100 USERS GUIDE

  The VT101 had fewer options:

	EK-VT101-RC   VT101 PROGRAMMING REFERENCE CARD
	EK-VT101-TM   VT101 SERIES TECHNICAL MANUAL
	EK-VT101-UG   VT101 VIDEO TERMINAL USERS GUIDE

  The VT500-series is a rather more recent terminal:

	EK-VT520-RM   VT520/VT525 PROGRAMMERS INFO


	--

  The above is *my* opinion.  ("Mine! Mine! All Mine!"  :-)
  The "official" opinion of Digital Equipment Corporation may differ.

  ------------------------------ Opinionative -------------------------------
   Stephen Hoffman      OpenVMS Engineering      hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com
                       reachable via the weird-wide web
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Path: cs.utk.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net
      !newsfeed.pitt.edu!ehdup-i-1.rmt.net.pitt.edu!bschor
From: bschor@vms.cis.pitt.edu (Bob Schor)
Subject: Re: Info needed on "proper" vt-100 emulation...
Date: Wed, 27 Dec 1995 11:37:49 UNDEFINED
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Lines: 26
Message-ID: <bschor.321.1E8020CE@vms.cis.pitt.edu>
References: <4bqa4m$li@tkhut.sojourn.com>

>So -- basically, my question is this: is there a written "standard" 
>anywhere for the key definitions for "VT100 emulation"?  Or is it simply 
>a moot point because the original/true DEC VT100 terminals did not do 
>"F5" (or something like that)?

     I doubt there is a written "standard" for VT100 emulation.  The VT100 
keyboard is NOT the same as the IBM PC 101-key keyboard.  For one thing, there 
are no Fnn function keys.  Second, the keypad has 18 keys, whereas the PC has 
17.  There is no "Alt" key, though there is a "Ctrl" key.  Finally, while 
there are four arrow keys, I don't think the six keys that, on the PC, live 
above the arrow keys are found on the VT100 (they came out with the VT200 
series).

     The main problem with VT-100 emulation is how to deal with the "missing" 
keypad key.  On the VT-100, the top row of keys are the four function keys 
PF1, PF2, PF3, and PF4.  The next row has four keys, 7, 8, 9, and "-"; the 
next row of keys is 4, 5, 6, and ",";  then comes 1, 2, 3, and a double-high 
"Enter", and finally a double-wide 0 and ".".  There is no "+" key.

     Some emulations blow off the top row of the PC's keys and substitute 
F1-F4 for PF1-PF4.  Others try to stay with the "feel" of the VT100, using the 
top PC row as PF1-PF4.  Of course, this means trapping NumLock and treating it 
in a special manner ...

Bob Schor
RT-11/TSX+ User/Abuser

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.terminals
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      !nntp.coast.net!howland.reston.ans.net!Germany.EU.net!news.dfn.de!si-nic
      !engel
Organization: Computer Center, University of Siegen, Germany
Message-ID: <4sdefl$6dm@si-nic.hrz.uni-siegen.de>
References: <4s90au$ctl@hades.rz.uni-sb.de>
NNTP-Posting-Host: hilbert.numerik.math.uni-siegen.de
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL9]
Date: 15 Jul 1996 12:44:37 GMT
From: engel@numerik.fb6.uni-siegen.de (Michael Engel)
Subject: Re: lk411 keyboard


Hi,
Martin Freyermuth (mafr0001@stud.uni-sb.de) wrote:
:
: Perhaps someone can answer my questions - thanks to her/him in advance:
: - Is it possible to connect a lk411 (or something like that) keyboard to a 
:   linux system (physical connection etc. ?)

The LK411 has the 6-pin PS/2-style connector and interface, so it should 
work with a Linux system. Eventually you'll need a PS/2->DIN 5pin adapter 
(available for < 10 DM). A friend of mine has a LK411 connected to his 
AXPpc150 running Linux. But, alas, this is an Alpha ... ;)

Note that the LK401 looks identical to the LK411, but has a four-pin modular
plug for older digital hardware (and a different interface, of course) ...

regards,
        Michael Engel   (engel@unix-ag.uni-siegen.de)


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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Message-ID: <51oodv$1pa@atlas.xylogics.com>
References: <guycoleDxuwC9.345@netcom.com> <323EBDB5.2FD4@smarts.com>
Reply-To: carlson@xylogics.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: atlas.xylogics.com
Date: 18 Sep 1996 08:03:11 -0400
From: carlson@xylogics.com (James Carlson)
Subject: Re: VT-220, Where is Escape Key?

In article <323EBDB5.2FD4@smarts.com>, Jerry Leichter <leichter@smarts.com>
  writes:
|>
|> Guy Cole wrote:
|> > 
|> > I didn't see anything in "setup" - someone give me a clue?
|> 
|> There isn't one.
|> 
|> You can generate an escape by type CTRL/[ (i.e., the Control key
|> together with the "[" key).  You can also generate it by typing CTRL/5
|> (it *might* be CTRL/4 - there's actually an ANSI standard for CTRL/<n>,
|> where <n> is from 1 to 6, for generating the 6 control characters that
|> don't correspond to Control and a letter.)


On DEC VT-series terminals CTRL-3 gives escape.  No, there is NO ANSI
STANDARD for these key sequences!  They are all proprietary.  (The
VT200-series, though, does form an informal standard of sorts.)

CTRL-2 gives NUL, CTRL-4 gives FS, CTRL-5 gives GS, CTRL-6 gives RS,
CTRL-7 gives RS, and CTRL-8 gives US.  These are all on DEC terminals.

|> If you set the VT220 to VT100 or VT52 emulation mode, one of the F keys
|> in the group near the center - I think maybe F11 - will send an escape. 
|> (Another of the keys in that group sends a linefeed - CTRL/J.  The other
|> F keys are disabled in non-VT200 modes.)

That's because the VT100 didn't have function keys.  (So much for "vt100
emulation!")  F11 is ESC, F12 is BS, and F13 is LF.

-- 
James Carlson <carlson@xylogics.com>            Tel:  +1 617 272 8140
Annex Interface Development / Xylogics, Inc.          +1 800 225 3317
53 Third Avenue / Burlington MA  01803-4491     Fax:  +1 617 272 2618


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.os.vms
Path: cs.utk.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!news.sgi.com!news.sprintlink.net
      !news-peer.sprintlink.net!news.mathworks.com!fu-berlin.de!uniol
      !uni-erlangen.de!news.th-darmstadt.de!axp621.gsi.de!leinberger
Organization: GSI - Gesellschaft f. Schwerionenforschung
Lines: 18
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <52dv8m$1dpp@rs18.hrz.th-darmstadt.de>
References: <52dl1i$22k@pheidippides.axion.bt.co.uk>
Reply-To: leinberger@axp621.gsi.de (Uwe Leinberger GSI Darmstadt)
NNTP-Posting-Host: axp621.gsi.de
X-Newsreader: mxrn 6.18-32
Date: 26 Sep 1996 13:08:38 GMT
From: leinberger@axp621.gsi.de (Uwe Leinberger GSI Darmstadt)
Subject: Re: Digital style PC keyboards


In article <52dl1i$22k@pheidippides.axion.bt.co.uk>, 
thomasgd@boat.bt.com (Greg Thomas) writes:
>A simple question ... Do Digital still supply Digital-style PC keyboards 
>- i.e. with F1-F20 and PF1-PF4 keys, etc. (prefereably UK versions, but 
>US would 
>do). They would need Windows 3.11 and Windows NT drivers. I had an old LK250, 
>but that got trashed a while ago.
>
>TIA,
>
>Greg
>#include <std_disclaimer.h>
>
yes, they do. They even come with DECs PCI based Alphastations.

they're called LK412 if memory serves. Have a look at 
http://www.transtec.de ....

Uwe

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec,comp.os.vms
Path: cs.utk.edu!news.msfc.nasa.gov!news.sgi.com!enews.sgi.com!decwrl
      !pa.dec.com!usenet
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 35
Message-ID: <324BF0AF.15D4@alf.dec.com>
References: <52dl1i$22k@pheidippides.axion.bt.co.uk>
NNTP-Posting-Host: tuvok.alf.dec.com
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 1996 11:20:15 -0400
From: Gary Heffelfinger <gheff@alf.dec.com>
Subject: Re: Digital style PC keyboards

Greg Thomas wrote:
> 
> A simple question ...
> Do Digital still supply Digital-style PC keyboards--i.e., with F1-F20
> and PF1-PF4 keys, etc. (preferably UK versions, but US would
> do). They would need Windows 3.11 and Windows NT drivers. I had an old LK250,
> but that got trashed a while ago.
> 

Currently there's a series of keyboards known variously as the LK411
and LK461.  These keyboards sport the LK401 style layout.
Theoretically, they require no drivers to function under Windows NT.

The LK411, for example functions fine when running the eXcursion X
server on systems that load the standard keyboard drivers.  I don't
have first-hand experience with KEAterm and Smarterm but I'm lead to
believe that they work with LK411 as well.

One word of warning regarding the LK411: The final release of Windows
NT 4.0 is masking out key events that are not on Industry Standard
101/102 keyboards.  4.0 beta2 and 3.51 function properly, but the
final 4.0 ignores keys like "Do" and "Help."  Microsoft is looking
into this.

-- 
Gary Heffelfinger    gheff@alf.dec.com		[2007: email addr long stale]
+------------- Try --------------+
Digital Equipment Corp. - eXcursion Support |
http://altavista.digital.com/  |
I work for Digital but my views are my own.
+--------------------------------+

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Path: cs.utk.edu!nntp.memphis.edu!nntp.msstate.edu!emory!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu
      !uunet!in1.uu.net!news1.digital.com!pa.dec.com!depot.mro.dec.com
      !mrnews.mro.dec.com!hannah.enet.dec.com!hedberg
Message-ID: <3vl8t3$q8t@mrnews.mro.dec.com>
References: <3v3vqp$qf6@maverick.tad.eds.com>
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
NNTP-Posting-Host: level.enet.dec.com
Date: 1 AUG 1995 08:56:59
From: hedberg@hannah.enet.dec.com (Bill Hedberg)
Subject: Re: wyse150, vt220/vt240 color problems


In article <3v3vqp$qf6@maverick.tad.eds.com>,
 dz25pm@csd.can.eds.com (Rag Ramanathan) writes...
>
> For what reasons could a vt240 lose its user Fkeys defined keys in setup ?
> Every time we power-up the terminal we have to go through the setup
> program to enable the user defined Fkeys the number pad acts like Fkeys. 


 VT terminals, before the VT500 series, did not save Fkey definitions to
 non-volatile memory.  Fkeys definitions are in RAM only and are lost
 upon power off.


..............................................................................
Bill Hedberg           Digital Equipment Corp., Video Architecture Engineering
For more info call 1-800-777-4343 or e-mail terminals@digital.com
http://www.digital.com               ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/pub/DEC/termcaps
ftp://gatekeeper.dec.com/archive/pub/DEC/DECinfo/document/vt5xx
..............................................................................


 -====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-====-


This web site contains a Unix shell-script template for setting
up DEC function keys.  

At present, the URL is as follows:

    http://www.cs.utk.edu/~shuford/terminal/vt_keyset.sh

 ...RSS

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <6s8o5u$52q$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>
References: <6s877n$n8v$1@haus.efn.org>
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 11:20:31 GMT
From: celigne@celigne.co.uk
Subject: Re: LK-401 and DEC VT-320.


In article <6s877n$n8v$1@haus.efn.org>,
  Gregor Diseth <gsdiseth@efn.org> wrote:
> I spotted a DEC LK-401 keyboard at the local Goodwill, and was wondering
> if it will work with a VT-320 (which ships with an LK-201).  The KB layout
> is identical, and the proprietary RJ style connector appears the same.
 
[posted and emailed]
 
That combination is fine. I've just powered up that combo here, so it will
work (barring any freaky firmware revision problems).
 
Paul


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <6tt068$uuf$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>
References: <6tobtf$t6d$1@inf6serv.rug.ac.be>
Date: Fri, 18 Sep 1998 06:56:08 GMT
From: celigne@celigne.co.uk
Subject: Re: Pipe symbol on VT200

In article <6tobtf$t6d$1@inf6serv.rug.ac.be>,
  tvdstich@eduserv2.rug.ac.be (Thomas Vander Stichele) wrote:
> Hi everyone,
>
> I have a problem that's been bugging me for days.  We have a Falco 5220e
> terminal, which seems to behave much like a vt200, I believe the keyboard
> layout is identical (french/belgian layout with PF keys on the numeric
> keypad and Help and Do keys for F15 and F16).
>
> But how can i type the | symbol on it, as well as the {} symbols ? I don't
> have manuals for the terminal.  Is there a way to generate ascii codes the
> way you can on pc's (with alt numeric key combinations) ? Or is there some
> other key sequence I can use ? Where can I find more information on this
> subject ?

I can't find a VT200 manual, but my VT320 manual says that to get
vertical bar (|) you should press ^ and / in that order. I've just
tried that by setting my English keyboard to French/Belgian and it
works.

  { is produced by Compose ( -
  } is produced by Compose ) -

Some of the other compose sequences are listed in

    http://www.cs.utk.edu/%7eshuford/terminal/dec_keyboards_news.txt

but this is not a definitive list (it is aimed at English keyboard users).

I don't think ALT+number to get at characters was introduced until
the VT420 (because there wasn't an ALT key before that!)

Can't help you with the Linux part of your question.

Regards,
Paul

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Message-ID: <7cop4b$rhb$1@antiochus.ultra.net>
References: <1999Mar17.080330.1485@flying-disk.spamblock.com>
X-NNTP-Posting-Host: 209-122-233-59.s59.tnt5.sbo.ma.dialup.rcn.com
X-Ultra-Time: 17 Mar 1999 17:35:07 GMT
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1999 17:36:44 GMT
From: Ben Myers <benmyers@ultranet.com>
Subject: Re: LK4xx keyboards and Kermit-95 / Windows 95

frisbie@flying-disk.spamblock.com (Alan Frisbie) wrote:
> 
> Where can I find information on the various DEC/Compaq
> LK4xx keyboards?   I am interested in the key layouts,
> intended application, code differences, OS support, etc.
> Is there a web page that describes them?
> 
> I know that the LK461 and LK471 are (were?) options on
> AlphaStations, being VMS and PC styles respectively,
> but that is all I know about them.   I have also heard
> of an LK450, but know essentially nothing about it.
> How does it differ from the others?    Are there any
> other keyboards that I missed?
> 
> This question came up when I pulled out an LK250 to put
> on my PC so I could use Kermit to run an application on
> a VMS system.   It used to work fine under MS-DOS Kermit,
> but I have found that it won't under Kermit-95.   This
> appears to be because there is no LK250 driver for
> Windows 95.   What DEC keyboards have Windows 95 drivers?
> 
> -- 
> -- "From:" line deliberately munged to prevent harvesting by spambots.
> --  Alan E. Frisbie             Frisbie "AT" Flying-Disk "DOT" Com
> --  Flying Disk Systems, Inc.


Alan,

I know this much in general.  Someone else may be able to fill you in
on more details:

1. If the keyboard layout is not a standard PC layout, odds are 99.9+%
that you'll run into some sort of glitch using it on a PC.  Not worth
the bother, IMHO.

2. The LK470-series keyboards are designed to run NT on an
AlphaStation, I believe.  DEC didn't mess up the design of
AlphaStations and other Alpha boxes too badly, attemping to use a lot
of off-the-shelf commodity components.  Every so often, an engineer,
planner, or marketing type decided that the DEC way was best (and more
expensive for the customer, who was thwarted from using inexpensive
off-the-shelf upgrades), and did something dumb to muck up a perfectly
good commodity part.  Haven't tried an LK470 keyboard yet, but my
guess is that it does not differ from one of the keyboards with a PC
part number.  I'd like to hear from someone else who has tried it, and
whether or not they succeeded.

3. Finally, I doubt very much that anyone has written Windows keyboard
drivers for LK250, LK450 or any of the other keyboards with a VMS
layout.  Even if they do exist, someone then has to own  the
responsibility of testing and qualifying them with Win 95, Win 98, Win
NT, etc, etc. 

I once worked long ago for Honeywell, another company that once
thought it was in the computer business and that the Honeywell way
was the true way.  Honeywell made an absolute mess out of trying to
provide PC keyboards and drivers that would mimic their word
processing keyboards, yet work normally with off-the-shelf apps.
This idiocy contributed to their downfall, but there were many other
equally wrong-headed decisions made along the way.  I suspect that
ex-Wang people could tell a similar story about their Wang PCs with
weird Wang keyboards.  Sorry to be so long winded.  But I want to do
my best to discourage you from committing unnatural acts with computer
keyboards.  :)

4. Not even all PC keyboards are made alike.  The older DEC PC
keyboard with the nice clicky touch will not work in a 1200 series
server, but a newer and extremely cheaply made DEC keyboard does.
Keyboards have a tiny bit of firmware in them, too, and sometimes the
keyboard may fit the physical connection, but just plain not work.
I've run into a few other odd mismatches of keyboard and system in
recent years.

... Ben Myers 

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Message-ID: <36F1142B.454597CC@compaq.nospam.com>
References: <1999Mar17.080330.1485@flying-disk.spamblock.com>
            <7cop4b$rhb$1@antiochus.ultra.net>
NNTP-Posting-Host: dhcp-26-232-128.mro.dec.com
Organization: which used to be Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 1999 09:56:43 -0500
From: glen kelley <glen.kelley@compaq.com>
Subject: Re: LK4xx keyboards and Kermit-95 / Windows 95

The following link contains some information and drivers for
some of the LK keyboards. Most of these where written
by one of our support engineers and are unsupported.

    http://www.windows.digital.com/ntsbuftp/index/epid90.htm

regards,

glen kelley
compaq

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <9JbO2.73$94.34414@news1.usit.net>
Message-ID: <370A0F60.D5@rcschmidt.org>
Organization: The Schmidt Family of Rockdale County, GA
Date: Wed, 07 Apr 1999 09:49:26 -0400
From: Richard C Schmidt <rcs@rcschmidt.org>
Subject: Re: How to get F17-20 keys to work on a VT340-A2?

Kent Rankin wrote:
>
>     I have a customer that can't seem to get two terminals that I sold him
> to function correctly.
>
>     Their F17-20 keys won't work.  They work, I imagine(as there is no
> damage on them, and everything else works perfectly), but there seems to be
> some configuration option that isn't enabled on them.
>
>     Any insight on this one would be greatly appreciated.
>
>                                                             -Kent Rankin

        What terminal is he set to????

        Either he is NOT using VT-340-A2, or, he doesn't have it, and
        is using some default like VT-100. Have him do a:

                infocmp vt340 -or-
                infocmp vt-340........

        It will display the terminal info file in ascii.

        Another possibility is that the file is "inadequate".  By that,
        I mean, it exists, but doesn't have ALL the keys described properly.
        I've found that to be the case on a number of terminals.

        Richard Schmidt
===========================================================================
      Richard C. Schmidt                        rcs@rcschmidt.org
===========================================================================

"A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere,
 Or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair.
 But no, you sent us Congress!  Good God, sir, was that fair?"
  -- John Adams, "Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve", from "1776"


 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Message-ID: <37139263.21CD@smarts.com>
Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <371141A3.69E783AE@gmx.de>
Organization: System Management ARTS
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 14:52:19 -0400
To: Robert Siemer <Robert.Siemer@gmx.de>
From: Jerry Leichter <leichter@smarts.com>
Subject: Re: DEC vt220: Disable Set-Up-Key  or  redefine F1-F5

| On a real VT220 terminal, the function-key F1-F5 are used internally.
| They seems to send nothing.
| Is there a way to redefine these keys?
|
| Especially the F3-(Set-Up)-Key! I dont want the users to fiddle around
| with the configuration.
|
| Who knows a work-around without damageing the keyboard?  (:

There's no way to do this.  This got discussed repeatedly within the old
Terminals group at DEC when I was there.  The irresolvable problem was:
If you provide a way to disable Setup, how do you ever enable it again?
You could posit some kind of password mechanism, but what if the user
forgets the password?  We did *not* want to deal with hundreds of Field
Service calls from people who set a password and forgot it - or who had
all their terminals set to some unusable state by a disgruntled employee
(or silly high-school kid) who then set a password known only to him.
But providing a password that could be easily disabled was pointless.

What customers who were concerned about this - because they had a bunch
of VT's at a trade show, for example - usually did was to remove the
SETUP keycap - or, more elegantly, inject a bit of glue under it to keep
it from operating.  "Authorized personnel" would have access to an
unmodified keyboard which they could swap into place when required.
Sure, anyone can get hold of one - but in typical usage, this was not a
threat.  How many people walk into a trade show carrying a spare
keyboard?  (Hmm, these days one could probably program a Palm Pilot to
emulate a VT2xx keyboard....)

VT2xx keyboards are pretty cheap these days.  I'd go with the "glue"
solution myself....
                                                        -- Jerry


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Message-ID: <7ibp5r$llr@usenet.pa.dec.com>
References: <99052115321374@antinode.org>
Date: 24 May 1999 14:53:47 GMT
From: hoffman@xdelta.enet.dec.com (Hoff Hoffman)
Organization: Compaq Computer Corporation
Subject: Re: VMS-suitable keyboard for AlphaStation 200 4/233?

In article <99052115321374@antinode.org>, sms@antinode.org writes:
:   What are the VMS-suitable keyboard options for an AlphaStation 200
:4/233?  I've seen suggestions of PCXAL, LK411, LK450, and LK461, but
:nothing authoratative.

  The LK411, LK461, or LK46W would be my choice for an OpenVMS keyboard,
  as these have the necessary PC DIN plug for the AlphaStation and the
  classic OpenVMS keyboard layout.

  The PCXAL is generally a PC layout keyboard.  Good for Windows NT,
  but not so good for folks used to classic OpenVMS keyboards...

  The LK450 does things you don't need nor really want with OpenVMS.

  All of these keyboards tend to have language-specific variations...
  LK461-AA and LK46W-A2 are US OpenVMS layouts, for instance.

:Is there a handy document which describes/compares/contrasts them?

  I am not aware of this list available outside Compaq -- there is an
  internally-created list, but it's not necessarily entirely accurate,
  and it's definitely not entirely current.

 -------------------------- pure personal opinion ---------------------------
 Hoff (Stephen) Hoffman   OpenVMS Engineering   hoffman#xdelta.zko.dec.com


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
Organization: Aster
Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 08:57:44 GMT
From: Bob Marcan <Bob.Marcan@aster.si>
Subject: Re: VMS-suitable keyboard for AlphaStation 200 4/233?

I'm using LK46W-A2 on my Compaq-Linux machine (Emacs & EDT emul, i'm
really happy).

It was previously hooked to the AXP 500-au series under VMS and DUNIX.
The quality is not the same as LK401-AA on my old AXP, but the
functionality is the same. It is even usable under NT.

Best regards, Bob


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <37AEF22E.10E08749@GSC.GTE.Com>
X-NNTP-Posting-Host: n206241180182.gsc.gte.com
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Sender: news@wlbr.iipo.gtegsc.com (System Administrator)
References: <7omonk$ft8$1@nnrp1.deja.com>
X-Trace: wlbr.iipo.gtegsc.com 934212136 23764 (None) [206.241.180.182]
Organization: GTE Government Systems
To: Tim Arai <obake@my-deja.com>
From: "Scott G. Hall" <Scott.Hall@GSC.GTE.Com>
Subject: Re: VT400 Backspace help?
Date: 09 Aug 1999 00:00:00 GMT

Tim Arai wrote:
>
> Our software contains a VT100 and VT220 emulation.  One of our
> customers apparently uses VT400 or VT440 (the person didn't know..just
> that it was 4 hundred something.....) but when connecting to it with
> our software everything seems to work..except the backspace.
> 
> Our software sends a ^H (or 0x08) on backspace but it acts like a Home
> when they connect to their terminal.  Is there another code that I need
> to send so it'll act like a Backspace?  I understand that the DEL and
> BS are tricky stuff but any help would be GREATLY appreciated.


This has been a sticky point since the mid-1970's.  Basically DEC OS's
and terminals assume the ASCII DEL character (127) to be a "backspace",
and so have their "<--" set so.  However, many emulators followed the
convention of most every other terminal and use the ASCII BS character
(8) as the "backspace".

Since the mid-1980's, most good terminal emulator programs have offered
an option as to what character to send from the "<--" key in ANSI terminal
emulation.  Also most multi-personality terminals offered the same kind
of setup option when emulating a VT100-family terminal.

To be fully compatible, your software should expect a DEL character for
a "backspace" from a VT-100-style terminal.  If your software is running
under UNIX, you don't have to program anything different, as this is a
terminfo entry and stty option that can be changed and remapped.  In fact
I have seen two different UNIX terminfo entries available to address this
-- vt220-bs and vt220-del  Using the termlib or curses, your application
then shouldn't care.

-- 
Scott G. Hall
GTE Government Systems
North Carolina Systems Center
email: Scott.Hall@GSC.GTE.Com

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <32CCC4FB.DFA6041B@yahoo.com>
Message-ID: <ae3ai7$nu0$1@nenevr.demon.co.uk>
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 22:51:51 +0000 (UTC)
From: Simon Coombs <simon@nenevr.demon.co.uk.invalid>
Subject: Re: Dec VT220 backspace help

Sark <ian_primus@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I recently accquired some Dec VT220 terminals that were originally
> connected to a Prime computer. I have gotten the terminal set up fine,
> standard null modem, etc. The only problem I am having is that the
> backspace key does not backspace when pressed. I have even tried loading
> all default settings and going into Local mode, and even there backspace
> doesn't backspace. Is it possible to configure the backspace to send a
> standard "Ctrl-H"?


Hi there, Ian.

AFAICR, there is no configurable option to make a VT220 send backspace
instead of delete. You have 3 choices:

1. Make the host understand what DEL means. If you're using a Unix-type
   of system, check out the 'stty' command in your manual pages. 
   If you're using something older, like CP/M, it should work OK.
2. Press Ctrl-H instead of Delete.
3. Put the terminal into VT100 mode, and use F12.

I think option 1's your best bet. >:)

The actual process of moving the cursor back one space, overtyping the 
character *under* the cursor with a space, then moving the cursor back 
one space again is all done by the host, not by the terminal, which is
why it won't do anything in Local mode (or, indeed, if you just had two
terminals hooked up together over a null-modem connector.) 
 
Good luck. VT220's are nice terminals. You could bounce rocks off 'em.

S.

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <mvjL3.1403$N64.41291@dfw-read.news.verio.net>
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 10:15:46 GMT
From: T.E.Dickey <dickey@shell.clark.net>
Subject: Re: Differences between vt100 and vt220

Jorge <jrodriguezed@nexo.es> wrote:
> Hi everybody:

> Does anybody knows the basic differences between vt100 and vt220 terminals?.
> Someone has told me that in vt100 I can only use 4 function keys and in
> vt220 I can use 9 function keys. Is that true? Any other differences?

15 function keys (F6-F20), in addition to an editing keypad (e.g., pageup).

vt100's PF1-PF4 are not considered by some people to be function keys
(vt220 has those also, anyway).

vt220 supports 8-bit characters, multiple fonts, has better support for
video-attributes (you can turn bold/underline off without affecting other
settings).  there's a number of other enhancements.

--
Thomas E. Dickey
dickey@clark.net
http://www.clark.net/pub/dickey/

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec, comp.os.vms
Date: 3 Nov 1999 21:37:36 GMT
Organization: Compaq Computer Corporation
From: Hoff Hoffman <hoffman@xdelta.zko.dec.nospam>
Subject: Re: LK460 keyboards with USB connectors... do they exist?


In article <86yacfmng0.fsf@mate.kjsl.com>, Javier Henderson
<javier@mate.kjsl.com> writes:
:       I need a couple of LK460-series keyboards with USB connectors,
:rather than the more common DIN5 or PS/2 ones.
:
:       I tried searching on Compaq's website, to no avail. Any ideas
:if these suckers exist?

  I am aware of no keyboards from Compaq featuring an LK201-, LK401-
  or LK461-class "OpenVMS Traditional" layout and a USB connector.
  (I would expect various OpenVMS customers might/will be interested
  in these as USB becomes more common in the OpenVMS environment, but
  that is another discussion...)

 --------------------------- pure personal opinion ---------------------------
   Hoff (Stephen) Hoffman   OpenVMS Engineering   hoffman#xdelta.zko.dec.com

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec, comp.os.vms
From: Eric Dittman <dittman@narnia.int.dittman.net>
Subject: Re: LK460 keyboards with USB connectors... do they exist?
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 09:19:05 GMT

I saw a PS/2-USB converter advertised somewhere (I can't remember where
right now, though).  The device had two PS/2 connectors for a mouse and
keyboard and a USB connector.  I don't know the price or whether it actually
works.
--
Eric Dittman
dittman@dittman.net

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec, comp.os.vms
From: David Reynolds <datre@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: LK460 keyboards with USB connectors... do they exist?
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 1999 21:15:59 -0500


I just happened to receive a catalog from Jameco and this device was on
the back cover.

USB-A to PS/2 Mini DIN 6 Adapter
Part No. 168751
Price  $39.95

David Reynolds

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Message-ID: <xeEh4.11758$NU6.583401@tw12.nn.bcandid.com>
From: redding <tmredding@blazenet.net>
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 13:39:41 GMT
Subject: Re: VT420 LK401 keyboard hardware problem

djesys wrote in message <3884B9AB.28C3A3D7@advocatehealth.com>...
>redding wrote:
>>
>> Hi, keyboard for VT420 monitor, group of keys don't work.
>> Does anyone have print for circuit board. Have cleaned inside
>> of keyboard.   Thanks, Terry.
>
>
>Which group of keys doesn't work, and how did you determine this?
>--
>David J. Dachtera
>dba DJE Systems
>http://home.earthlink.net/~djesys/


The space bar,left shift, compose,alt, and the minus, zero, enter on
numeric keypad.  When you push the keys they do not display on the
screen. If you take the keyboard apart these all have a common trace,
thats how they are grouped. 

Thanks, Terry.

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.os.vms, comp.sys.dec
References: <$HlZAmWyAxf6@flying> <39749D00.B437036E@triton.com.no.spam>
Date: Tue, 18 Jul 2000 21:42:57 GMT
Organization: Aracnet
Message-ID: <Bb4d5.81$%e1.2399@typhoon.aracnet.com>
From: Zane H. Healy <healyzh@shell1.aracnet.com>
Subject: Re: Keyboard/Video/Mouse switch for Alpha & PC

In comp.sys.dec Jay Olson <jjo@triton.com.no.spam> wrote:
>
> I have a Belkin OmniView and it does funny things with VMS Alphas.
> Definitely not recommended for this use. I have heard that the Raritan
> switches work well with VMS machines. However, I have also heard that
> you cannot mix PCs and VMS (perhaps even Unix) machines because they
> initialize the keyboard differently. On the other hand, the blurb for
> the Raritan switches in the Data Comm Warehouse catalog says they have
> "dedicated keyboard & mouse emulators", so perhaps this fixes the
> problem.

I've got one of these.  I've got a couple PC's and a couple Alpha's on
it normally.  I've not had trouble with a AlphaStation 200 4/233 running
OpenVMS that I used to have on it, but I have had trouble with the
keyboard locking up and being unusable with a Multia running OpenBSD. 
Also I just plain can't hook the Keyboard or mouse of my PWS433au up to it.

                        Zane

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


Newsgroups: comp.os.vms
References: <39AE62FF.5D19D867@uk.sun.com> <Pp3GnCpch38a@eisner.decus.org>
    <39AF7E93.381CE77A@uk.sun.com> <6WudcFIIQ0wq@eisner.decus.org>
    <39AFCAB7.B43460B3@uk.sun.com> <DBEVXql9pWI+@eisner.decus.org>
    <39B383BB.801BF18D@uk.sun.com>
    <TTOs5.68493$_s1.798757@typhoon.ne.mediaone.net>
    <8p1kia$eln$1@pyrite.mv.net> <8p2ab6$oas52$1@fido.engr.sgi.com>
    <x8qTcUXHKTnl@eisner.decus.org> <39B5FB87.57F1B68F@uk.sun.com>
    <VKg8N0ntdVPO@eisner.decus.org> <39B685B9.Reply-To:
    kuhrt@eisner.lessspam.decus.org <4NNrY9N1r+xQ@eisner.decus.org>
    <1000907234808.28573B-100000@Ives.egh.com>
NNTP-Posting-Host: 208.236.25.16
Message-ID: <39B90EA7.62788A36@tsoft-inc.com>
Organization: tsoft-inc.com
Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 12:07:03 -0400
From: David A Froble <davef@tsoft-inc.com>
Subject: Re: Sun's Bitter Harvest

John Santos wrote:
>
> On 7 Sep 2000, Marty Kuhrt wrote:
>
> > In article <rjqsnrcimjs.fsf@morwong.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au>,
> > Paul Repacholi <prep@morwong.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au> writes:
> []
> > > Many years ago I cursed as a LK201 had its last Coke... You know
> > > what that does to 'em. So rang Field Service, as it was on maintainace.
> > >
> > > "What's wrong with it?"
> > > "Coke"
> > > "Do you expect us to fix that!"
> > > "You say office environment."
> > > "You be there in 20 min so we can drop off a new one?"
> > >
> > > spin, spin, spin...
> > >
> []
> > About once yearly I'll take apart my LK401 keyboard and wash it
> > in the kitchen sink to get the grunge off the keyboard.  Makes
> > the non-believers raise their eyebrows.
> >
> > NB: "What are you doing!?!"
> > Me: "Cleaning my keyboard"
> > NB: "Won't that ruin it?"
> > Me: "It would ruin _your_ keyboard if you did this.  Unlike
> >      _your_ hardware vendor, DEC knows how to build things."
> > NB: Grunt
> >
>
> Do you use soap or detergent, or just plain water?  Hot or cold?
>
> -- 
> John Santos
> Evans Griffiths & Hart, Inc.
> 781-861-0670 ext 539


John,

You'll hate this, but, it depends.

I've cleaned keyboards from the VT220 on up to the Vt500 stuff.  The
VT500 keyboards are very simple and easy to clean.  Use whatever is
necessary to cut the dirt and grease, but normally a mild dishwashing
liquid works well.

The VT400 keyboards need a bit more care, they're more delicate.  It's
when you go back to VT320 and VT220 keyboards that you must be careful. 
Some have what looks like gold contacts that come together when you push
the key down, and the keys break rather easily.

Remember that some time ago, for environmental reasons, DEC began to
clean circuit boards with water in place of solvent. Water should not
hurt any of the components, if it dries and leaves no residue. So the
question is, what kind of water do you have?  I don't think distilled
water is necessary, but rather hard water, lots of calcium and such,
could be a problem.  Never has been an issue for me, just mentioning
possibilities.

Then there is the question of harm.  How can you hurt a keyboard that's
already useless from dirt and grease?  Just using hot water, from the
tap, not boiling, and a mild dishwashing soap can work wonders. 
Scrubbing carefully with a brush will clean up the keys really well.

Then again, I have an air compressor, and blow the water off/out after
washing and rinsing.

Dave

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      Fax: 724-529-0596
DFE Ultralights, Inc.              E-Mail: davef@tsoft-inc.com
T-Soft, Inc.  170 Grimplin Road  Vanderbilt, PA  15486

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: alt.sys.pdp10
Date: 28 Nov 2000 20:23:57 GMT
Organization: Columbia University
From: Frank da Cruz <fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu>
Subject: Re: Avant keyboard
: 
: The L-shaped enter key really is truly useless, I wonder why
: it's so popular...
: 

Political correctness.  This all started, I think, with some massive
"human factors" study commissioned by DEC in Europe, which ultimately
resulted in some Din standards and the LK (canoe paddle) keyboard.  I'm
pretty sure this was at least a year or two before the IBM 101 keyboard.
(I remember first seeing the keyboards at a nondisclosure presentation
of... I think it was the Pro 350?... and being utterly appalled.  Of
course the Pro 350 offered a wide choice of appalling features.  Didn't
DEC finally empty its warehouses of them by making them into consoles
for the VAX 8700?)

Before that was a long period of "let the 100 flowers bloom", and some
very nice keyboards appeared, such as on the Concept-100.  Back in those
days, people touch typed, and there was value in having all the keys in
striking distance of the home keys.

The DEC study was basically geared towards making computers (and
therefore keyboards) more friendly to the general non-computer-using
public, thereby increasing the market for computers and terminals.  So
as a result we had to have all these ergonomically huge Return/Enter
and Shift keys, and whatnot (though, ironically, they never thought of
a HELP key).  Implicit in the process was the recognition that (a) the
terminal-host model was dead (so we don't need Ctrl or Esc keys any
more), and (b) touch-typing was a discredited legacy concept (because
it is not a mass-market phenomenon).

The ultimate insult to the Old Guard was putting Caps Lock where Ctrl
was.  What could be more useless?  This seemed to send us directly
back to the ASR 33 Teletype days when computers spoke only upper case.
(Those of us who remember the VT50 and earlier still recall the
liberating sensation of entering and viewing lowercase on the VT52 and
early DECwriters.)

To add fuel to the fire, various European government procurement
bodies began to *require* the new layout, so by 1983 or so, the only
keyboards available were essentially today's DEC and IBM layouts.  At
least DEC waffled by leaving Ctrl in the same row, rather than moving
it way down to tendon-twisting territory.  But anyway, what it all
adds up to is: you're supposed to be using a mouse, not a keyboard.

And that's why the market for good keyboards is a vanishingly small one.

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.sun.hardware, comp.unix.solaris, comp.sys.sun.admin
Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 20:30:08 +0200
Organization: Badlab Construction Services, Inc
Message-ID: <3AC37F30.6201@c-lab.de>
From: Michael Joosten <joost@c-lab.de>
Subject: Re: Do you dislike Type 6 keyboards? (was: SS20 / SunBlade 100)


: [1] Not, if you please, accent grave, unless ' is accent accute.
: I know this is a lost battle, but still, right is right.

Names of characters are assigned in the standards in which the
characters are defined.  The characters in question are defined in 
US ASCII (ANSI X3.4-1986), ISO 646, ISO 8859, and ISO 10646.  In all
of these, the names of these two characters are APOSTROPHE and GRAVE
ACCENT, respectively (and yes, in uppercase too :-)


 /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions,comp.unix.shell,comp.terminals
Followup-To: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <3b0144dd@news.uni-ulm.de>
References: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1010511124311.13909A-100000@h14me.yi.org>
    <HZUK6.4758$DW1.215377@iad-read.news.verio.net>
NNTP-Posting-Host: wega.rz.uni-ulm.de
Date: 15 May 2001 17:01:49 +0200
From: Sven Mascheck <Sven.Mascheck@student.uni-ulm.de>
Subject: Re: keystroke for PIPE symbol


[xpost+fup2 comp.terminals]

Kurt J. Lanza <kjl@inforonics.com> wrote:
> choices wrote in message ...

>> Would like to know which keystroke(s) would create the PIPE symbol.
>> [but not bothering to mention any more facts]


> Every keboard I've seen in the last 20 years or so has a vertical bar,
> aka pipe, somewhere.

Interestingly enough, even a VT220 with german keyboard layout 
doesn't provide a pipe, you have to press <compose><shift-~><shift-7>
(which certainly is not documented on the kbd itself).

And anyway there must be a reason, that bourne shell accepts "^" for "|".
I even would suggest that as answer to the original poster ;-)

Sven

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <Pine.LNX.3.96.1010511124311.13909A-100000@h14me.yi.org>
    <HZUK6.4758$DW1.215377@iad-read.news.verio.net> <3b0144dd@news.uni-ulm.de>
Message-ID: <9dtpjt$r0j$1@news1.Radix.Net>
Date: 16 May 2001 11:51:25 GMT
From: Thomas Dickey <dickey@saltmine.radix.net>
Subject: Re: keystroke for PIPE symbol

In comp.unix.shell Sven Mascheck <Sven.Mascheck@student.uni-ulm.de> wrote:
> [xpost+fup2 comp.terminals]

> Kurt J. Lanza <kjl@inforonics.com> wrote:
>> choices wrote in message ...

>>> Would like to know which keystroke(s) would create the PIPE symbol.
>>> [but not bothering to mention any more facts]

>> Every keboard I've seen in the last 20 years or so has a vertical bar,
>> aka pipe, somewhere.

;-)


> Interestingly enough, even a VT220 with german keyboard layout 
> doesn't provide a pipe, you have to press <compose><shift-~><shift-7>
> (which certainly is not documented on the kbd itself).

hmm - when did VT220's come out - early 80's I think.

> And anyway there must be a reason, that bourne shell accepts "^" for "|".
> I even would suggest that as answer to the original poster ;-)

"^" used to be up-arrow, and "|" is a relative latecomer (it's possible that
the German keyboards were originally the "same" and that their design
branched to support umlauts in preference to the newer characters such as
"|", "{" and "}".


-- 
Thomas E. Dickey <dickey@radix.net> <dickey@herndon4.his.com>
http://dickey.his.com/
 ftp://dickey.his.com

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <blue47$4jo$1@news.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de>
Message-ID: <pan.2003.10.07.17.54.13.222712@celigne.co.uk>
Organization: VT100.net
Date: Tue, 07 Oct 2003 18:54:19 +0100
From: Paul Williams <news@celigne.co.uk>
Subject: Re: bar char on dec vt220 [vertical bar]

On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 15:11:00 +0200, Christoph Deubner wrote:

> i've plugged a DEC VT220 into my linux box, but i don't know, where the 
> "bar key" (ascii decimal 124) is on that keyboard. Can anyone help?

On the German LK201, you need to press Kombizeichen followed by / and ^.

-- 
Paul

 ..............................................................................

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
NNTP-Posting-Host: 62.142.195.199
NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:20:14 EEST
References: <blue47$4jo$1@news.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de>
    <pan.2003.10.07.17.54.13.222712@celigne.co.uk>
    <bmgs1k$7c$1@news.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de>
Message-ID: <2GIlb.66$nu4.24@reader1.news.jippii.net>
Organization: Saunalahti Customer
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:18:21 +0300
From: Jukka Aho <jukka.aho@iki.fi>
Subject: Re: bar char on dec vt220

Christoph Deubner wrote:
>
>> On the German LK201, you need to press Kombizeichen followed
>> by / and ^. 
>
>
> Worked fine. Thanks a lot!

Also see the other common Compose key sequences here:

    http://www.vt100.net/docs/vt320-uu/chapter5.html#T5-1

-- 
znark

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <3eN28.700$YT5.225726@typhoon.jacksonville.mediaone.net>
Organization: Threshold Digital, Ltd.
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 04:58:39 GMT
From: Hal Vaughan <hal@thresholddigital.com>
Subject: Need Verification (Correction?) of VT100 Keycodes

I am using Linux (Mandrake 8.1 with X Server 4.0, although I can bypass X 
if needed, but would prefer not to bypass it).  I'm using Minicom, which 
emulates a VT100 keyboard.

I have to write some scripts to automate interacting with another system, 
and I need to verify key codes.  I find it easy to find VT100 control codes 
for screen functions, and I've found most of the codes I need to include, 
but I am still lacking one.

This is what I have for escape sequences:

  F1 = PF1 = <ESCAPE>-O-P
  F2 = PF2 = <ESCAPE>-O-Q
  F3 = PF3 = <ESCAPE>-O-R
  F4 = PF4 = <ESCAPE>-O-S

 NUMERIC KEYPAD ENTER = <ESCAPE>-O-M

These I've verified by using the actual key sequences in place of the keys. 
 I have not been able to verify, but believe the following to be correct:


   UP ARROW = <ESCAPE>-O-A
 DOWN ARROW = <ESCAPE>-O-B
RIGHT ARROW = <ESCAPE>-O-C
 LEFT ARROW = <ESCAPE>-O-D

Are these correct?

And the last one I cannot find ANY documentation on is <CONTROL>-<ENTER> 
(the system I login to refers to this as "the ENTER key above the SHIFT 
key").  Just a plain <ENTER> does not work, it has to be with the CONTROL key.

I am assuming the TAB key is a standard ASCII 09, but if it isn't, I need 
to find that as well.

Can anyone confirm the arrow and tab key codes and tell me what the 
<CONTROL>-<ENTER> code would be?

Any help is appreciated!

Hal

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <3eN28.700$YT5.225726@typhoon.jacksonville.mediaone.net>
    <86452f44912b3d8b@mayday.cix.co.uk>
Message-ID: <3C4BE823.23018072@uk.thalesgroup.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2002 10:06:27 +0000
From: Paul Williams <flo@uk.thalesgroup.com>
Subject: Re: Need Verification (Correction?) of VT100 Keycodes

Robert de Bath wrote:
> 
> On Mon, 21 Jan 2002, Hal Vaughan wrote:
> 
> > And the last one I cannot find ANY documentation on is
> > <CONTROL>-<ENTER> (the system I login to refers to this as "the
> > ENTER key above the SHIFT key").  Just a plain <ENTER> does not
> > work, it has to be with the CONTROL key.
> 
> This is probably the linefeed key (on a real VT100);
> AKA Control-J

This had me scratching my head. You could be right, although the
description of its position doesn't quite match the real keyboard[1].

The Enter key is actually on the numeric keypad. If the OP is actually
referring to the Return key, then that doesn't change its code when used
with Control, IIRC.

[1] VT100 Keyboard: http://vt100.net/docs/vt100-ug/figure3-2.html

- Paul

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <87smywq4bs.fsf@Astalo.y2000.kon.iki.fi>
Organization: Oulun Puhelin Oyj - Baana
Date: 23 Oct 2002 23:37:43 +0300
From: Kalle Olavi Niemitalo <kon@iki.fi>
Subject: VT420 position-mode keyboard reports

I have connected a VT420 to my Debian GNU/Linux box.  I would
like to use a Finnish keymap on the VT420, but the one it has is
rather different from what I'm used to.  AFAIK it is not possible
to edit the keymap in the terminal itself without hacking ROMs,
but I think I could set the terminal to send key position codes
(DECKPM) instead of characters, and then make the host translate
the positions to characters per any imaginable keymap.

For this, I need to know the format of the key position reports.
Here is what I have found:

* Each key has a three-character code, denoted <key> below.  The
  first character is a letter between 41h (A) and 47h (G), and
  the last two characters are digits.

    G99G00G01G02G03  G05G06G07G08G09  G11G12G13G14 G15G16--- G20G21G22G23

      E00E01E02E03E04E05E06E07E08E09E10E11E12E13-  E16E17E18 E20E21E22E23
      D00-D01D02D03D04D05D06D07D08D09D10D11D12 ||| D16D17D18 D20D21D22D23
    C99C00-C01C02C03C04C05C06C07C08C09C10C11C12C13    C17    C20C21C22C23
    B99---B00B01B02B03B04B05B06B07B08B09B10B11---  B16B17B18 B20B21B22|||
         A00-A01-A02-------------------A09-A10-              A20---A22A23
  
* The following keys are modifiers:

    <key>  bits  name
    -----  ----  ----
    B99    01    Left Shift
    B11    02    Right Shift
    C00    04    Lock
    C99    08    Ctrl
    A01    10    Left Alt
    A09    20    Right Alt
    A00    40    Left Compose
    A10    80    Right Compose

  <modifiers> is a string of two upper-case hexadecimal digits
  that indicates which modifier keys I am pressing.  For example,
  if I were pressing Lock and Ctrl, <modifiers> would be 30h 43h
  ("0C").  It does not matter whether Lock is currently on, only
  whether I am pressing it.

* The terminal sends the following reports:

    ESC 5Ch
      This means a modifier key has gone up or down.
      This means a modifier key has gone up or down.
      The terminal never sends this twice in a row.

    ESC 5Fh 3Ah <key> <modifiers>
      A key was pressed, and the modifiers differ from the
      previous keypress.  If <key> is itself a modifier, then
      <modifiers> include it.

    2Fh <key>
      A key was pressed, and the modifiers are the same as last time.

    2Eh
      The same key was pressed again, with the same modifiers.

* For example:

    ESC 5Ch ESC 5Fh 3Ah "B99" "01"
      I press and hold Left Shift.

    2Fh "D04"
      I press R.

    2Eh
      I press R again.

    ESC 5Ch ESC 5Fh 3Ah "C00" "05".
      I press and hold Lock.

    2Fh "A02"
      I press Space.

    ESC 5Ch
      I release Lock.  The terminal does not report which
      modifier key I release.

    ESC 5Fh 3Ah "C07" "01"
      I press J.  The terminal reports I'm still holding Shift.

    ESC 5Ch ESC 5Fh 3Ah "A09" "21"
      I press and hold Right Alt.

    ESC 5Ch
      I release Right Alt, then Shift.  The terminal reports ESC
      5Ch only once.

    ESC 5Fh 3Ah "D10" "00"
      I press P.  The terminal reports I have released all modifiers.
      The Lock indicator is still lit, but I am not pressing the key
      and that is all that matters.

Is this a complete description of key position reports?
It seems to be, but I once wrote a terminal emulator to match
some terminal descriptions, and when I eventually found ECMA-48,
I saw that I had written the control sequence parser all wrong.
I would rather not make such mistakes this time.

In particular, I don't see why the terminal sends ESC 5Ch without
telling the host which modifier key was released, nor why ESC 5Fh
is always followed by a redundant 3Ah.


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <87smywq4bs.fsf@Astalo.y2000.kon.iki.fi>
Message-ID: <Xns92B16D846E32newscelignecouk@216.168.3.30>
Organization: http://vt100.net
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 23:42:40 -0000
From: Paul Williams <news@celigne.co.uk>
Subject: Re: VT420 position-mode keyboard reports

Kalle Olavi Niemitalo <kon@iki.fi> wrote in 
news:87smywq4bs.fsf@Astalo.y2000.kon.iki.fi:

> I could set the terminal to send key position codes (DECKPM) instead
> of characters, and then make the host translate the positions to 
> characters per any imaginable keymap.
> 
> For this, I need to know the format of the key position reports.
> Here is what I have found:

I haven't seen a specification for Key Position Mode. Even the VT500-Series 
Programmer References don't describe it. I made some notes a few years ago 
which I have just checked against yours. I think you've got it mostly 
right, so I have just put a few more notes below.

> * Each key has a three-character code, denoted <key> below.  The
>   first character is a letter between 41h (A) and 47h (G), and
>   the last two characters are digits.

These are key coordinates based on ISO 9995, which defines keyboard 
layouts. This standard isn't available freely on the Web, AFAIK.

>     ESC 5Ch
>       This means a modifier key has gone up or down.
>       The terminal never sends this twice in a row.
> 
>     ESC 5Fh 3Ah <key> <modifiers>
>       A key was pressed, and the modifiers differ from the
>       previous keypress.  If <key> is itself a modifier, then
>       <modifiers> include it.

You started at the end! I think it is more helpful to see this conversation 
as a set of packets which start with ESC 5Fh and end with ESC 5Ch, which 
I'm going to refer to by their names: APC and ST.

APC is a code that starts one of the kinds of control string defined by 
ECMA-48. All of these control strings end with ST. If you send APC _to_ a 
DEC VT, it'll do nothing with most[1] other codes you send, until it sees 
ST.

[1] I'm simplifying slightly. For the full story, see 
http://vt100.net/emu/dec_ansi_parser

Although Key Position Mode is the only mode in which the VT will send an 
APC...ST string, DEC always seemed to make their private codes extendable, 
giving themselves room for manoeuvre with later models. I think this is why 
APC is followed by ':' (3Ah) in these sequences. If it was followed by any 
other code, it would mean something else.

If you put the VT into KPM and press a non-modifier key first, you won't 
see a leading ST. You'll see APC : followed by the code of the key you 
pressed, and the modifier code 00. You can press as many non-modifier keys 
as you like from now on, and you won't see an ST code. You'll only see an 
ST when the modifier state changes. So, a complete packet from APC to ST is 
a set of keys with the same modifier state.

If you press or release a modifier key, that packet finishes, so the VT 
generates ST. If you had two modifier keys depressed and you release one, 
the terminal knows that any further non-modifier keys would require a new 
packet, so it generates the ST. When the second modifier key is released, 
the terminal thinks that there is no point sending a second ST, because it 
is really only interested in keys being pressed, not released.

I'll try to explain that last sentence a bit better. This mode isn't trying 
to duplicate a PC's view of its keyboard, where every key transition (press 
and release) is available. It is only trying to provide a more flexible 
mechanism of showing key presses. However, the modifier keys complicate the 
issue because they are doing double duty. The terminal wants to tell you 
when they are pressed, as with non-modifier keys, but it also wants to tell 
you about the overall modifier state.

So, the reason for starting new packets is this: a new key has been pressed 
AND the modifier state has changed. So, let us walk through an example 
sequence: SHIFT pressed, CTRL pressed, A pressed, A released, SHIFT 
released, CTRL released. In the table below, spaces are just for clarity; 
they don't feature in the sequences.

SHIFT pressed      APC : B99 01
CTRL pressed       ST APC : C99 09
A pressed          /C01
A released                 (nothing)
SHIFT released     ST
CTRL released              (nothing)

Firstly, when (left) SHIFT is pressed, a new packet has to start. This 
tells us that SHIFT has been pressed and that the modifier for any other 
keys is SHIFT.

Then CTRL is pressed. Well, this is a new key and a modifier, so a new 
packet is required. The old one is ended with ST, and a new packet is 
started, which tells us that CTRL has been pressed, and the modifiers for 
any future keys are CTRL+SHIFT.

Now A is pressed. As it isn't a modifier, it simply adds its code to the 
already-open packet. When it is released, there is no new information, so 
no codes are sent.

However, when SHIFT is released, the terminal knows that the packet has 
come to an end, because it doesn't matter whether a modifier key or non-
modifier key is pressed next -- the new modification state (caused by the 
release of SHIFT) will have to be reported in a new packet. So, the 
terminal just closes the packet with ST. It can't start a new packet yet, 
to report the new modifier state, because it a new key must be pressed to 
start a new packet.

Finally, when CTRL is released, no code is output because there is no new 
information.

>     2Fh <key>
>       A key was pressed, and the modifiers are the same as last time.
> 
>     2Eh
>       The same key was pressed again, with the same modifiers.

Both correct.

> * For example:
> 
>     ESC 5Ch ESC 5Fh 3Ah "B99" "01"
>       I press and hold Left Shift.

The initial ST here is redundant. If the first key you press on entering 
KPM is a modifier, ST is generated, for no good reason. If the first key is 
a non-modifier, it isn't generated (ie. the first code you see will be 
APC). I can't explain this, but it doesn't matter. On reception by the 
terminal, ST doesn't do anything other than change reset the parser to 
ground state, so you can send as many STs in a row as you like, and they 
are completely harmless.

> In particular, I don't see why the terminal sends ESC 5Ch without
> telling the host which modifier key was released, nor why ESC 5Fh
> is always followed by a redundant 3Ah.

I hope I've covered those to your satisfaction, above.

Hmm ... so much for this being a "few notes"!

- Paul

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <87smywq4bs.fsf@Astalo.y2000.kon.iki.fi>
    <Xns92B16D846E32newscelignecouk@216.168.3.30>
Message-ID: <87n0p4ies6.fsf@Astalo.y2000.kon.iki.fi>
Organization: Oulun Puhelin Oyj - Baana
Date: 24 Oct 2002 08:31:21 +0300
From: Kalle Olavi Niemitalo <kon@iki.fi>
Subject: Re: VT420 position-mode keyboard reports

Paul Williams <news@celigne.co.uk> writes:

> I think it is more helpful to see this conversation as a set of
> packets which start with ESC 5Fh and end with ESC 5Ch, which
> I'm going to refer to by their names: APC and ST.

Thanks!  This means the filter can just pass characters through
if they are not inside an APC...ST packet.

The VT420 can actually send APC and ST as 8-bit controls, too.

> DEC always seemed to make their private codes extendable,
> giving themselves room for manoeuvre with later models. I think
> this is why APC is followed by ':' (3Ah) in these sequences.

So, if my filter receives APC followed by something other than
':', it should ignore (but possibly pass through) everything
until it gets ST.

> This mode isn't trying to duplicate a PC's view of its
> keyboard, where every key transition (press and release) is
> available.

Can I get the remaining information with some other command?
I would like to know whether the terminal thinks Lock is on,
because it has the indicators.

(On the other hand, sending such a command would require the
filter to detect control sequences sent to the terminal as well,
so that it would know where to insert its own.  This would enable
a new set of bugs.)

> The initial ST here is redundant. If the first key you press on
> entering KPM is a modifier, ST is generated, for no good reason.

I can't reproduce this now.  I turned the VT420 on, enabled KPM
via setup, and pressed and released Left Shift.  The VT420 sent
APC : B99 01 ST; there was no initial ST.

-- 
Kalle Olavi Niemitalo <kon@iki.fi>

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
Message-ID: <v73m7loqh822cd@corp.supernews.com>
Organization: None to speak of
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 05:02:41 -0800
From: John Hagen <jhagen@haushagen.org>
Subject: Redefining/copying VT520 caps lock & print screen keys

Hi all,

I have problem with a truncated 60 key space saver PC keyboard that I want
to use with a VT520 serial terminal, which can use a PC style PS/2
keyboard.

This small keyboard does not have a caps lock or print screen key, which
is a problem, because I would like to use this keyboard to access the set
up menus for the VT520. Apparently, the only way to to get the terminal
setup menus to come up is to hit <caps lock> + <print screen> on a regular
104 key PC keyboard, according to the terminal manual.

FYI, here's an image of the keys on the space saver keyboard:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/pfuca-store/

My idea was to remap a couple of unused keys to caps lock and print
screen, using an old PC 104 key keyboard I had laying around, install the
smaller keyboard on the terminal and then (hopefully) be able to access
the setup menus using the keys redefined in the terminal's define key
editor.

This doesn't work, at least using the copy key method outlined in the
terminal manual for the F1 and F2 keys that I copied the caps lock and
print screen keys to, using the VT520's define key editor. I copied the
caps lock key to the F1 key and print screen to the F2 key using the
define keys menu and the 104 key keyboard.

I saved the keys and the terminal settings, got out of the setup menus and
powered down the terminal. Then I installed the smaller keyboard and tried
pressing the F1 and F2 keys at the same time. The terminal status bar
shows the text "Lock" below the reverse video bar at the bottom of the
terminal screen, but the terminal setup menus do not come up.

I have tried this method for other meta keys, like the escape key, and
also a couple of alphanumeric keys in desperation, like "q" and "w" but
nothing works using the small keyboard.

Am I using the right method here? Is this even possible, if my keyboard
does not have the caps lock and print screen keys installed? 

Thanking you,

-- 
john hagen ~ jhagen <at> haushagen.org
======================================

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <v73m7loqh822cd@corp.supernews.com>
Message-ID: <Xns933E9D7D065C4newscelignecouk@216.168.3.30>
Organization: http://vt100.net
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 15:33:15 -0000
From: Paul Williams <news@celigne.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Redefining/copying VT520 caps lock & print screen keys

"John Hagen" <jhagen@haushagen.org> wrote in
news:v73m7loqh822cd@corp.supernews.com: 

> Apparently, the only way to to get the terminal setup menus to come
> up is to hit <caps lock> + <print screen> on a regular 104 key PC
> keyboard, according to the terminal manual.

Or Alt+Print Screen. Or F3, if that is the very first key pressed on power up.


> My idea was to remap a couple of unused keys to caps lock and print
> screen, using an old PC 104 key keyboard I had laying around, install
> the smaller keyboard on the terminal and then (hopefully) be able to
> access the setup menus using the keys redefined in the terminal's
> define key editor.

This doesn't work because you don't actually want to move Caps Lock and 
Print Screen functionality to other keys; you want to map Set-Up onto one 
of them.

Let's say you want to use Ctrl+Esc to go into Set-Up.

Hook up your little keyboard, turn on the terminal and go into the Define 
Key screen, and press Esc (by itself) as the key to be defined. The line 
below the key number will show that this is already a function key rather 
than alphanumeric, so this key will let us assign built-in terminal 
functions to it. If you pick a key that isn't already a function key (such 
as "Q"), you can turn it into one, but you lose its normal ability to send 
characters.

Now go down the list of definitions to the line marked "Control". This 
shows that Ctrl+Esc will still generate ESC by default. Move right into the 
box that contains a list of terminal functions and select Set-Up. Hit "OK" 
and exit Set-Up.

You'll now find that Ctrl+Esc will take you into Set-Up.

If you hook up your 104-key keyboard, go into Define Key and press Print 
Screen as the key to be defined, you'll see why Alt+Print Screen does what 
it does. The Caps Lock+Print Screen behaviour isn't defined this 
way (because Caps Lock isn't a modifier key); it is just hard-wired into 
the terminal.

- Paul

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
References: <v73m7loqh822cd@corp.supernews.com>
    <Xns933E9D7D065C4newscelignecouk@216.168.3.30>
Message-ID: <v740rh1i85v2f7@corp.supernews.com>
Organization: None to speak of
Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:03:55 -0800
From: John Hagen <jhagen@haushagen.org>
Subject: Re: Redefining/copying VT520 caps lock & print screen keys

In article <Xns933E9D7D065C4newscelignecouk@216.168.3.30>,
 "Paul Williams" <news@celigne.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Or Alt+Print Screen. Or F3, if that is the very first key pressed on
> power up.

Cool. My VT520 manual does not mention these as possibilities for the PC
keyboard.


> Let's say you want to use Ctrl+Esc to go into Set-Up.
> 
> Hook up your little keyboard, turn on the terminal and go into the
> Define Key screen, and press Esc (by itself) as the key to be defined..

<snip>

> Now go down the list of definitions to the line marked "Control". This
> shows that Ctrl+Esc will still generate ESC by default. Move right into
> the box that contains a list of terminal functions and select Set-Up.
> Hit "OK" and exit Set-Up.
> 
> You'll now find that Ctrl+Esc will take you into Set-Up.


Woohoo! Thanks a lot, that works fine.

This is really great, because I am constrained on space and was afraid I
would have to use the battleship-sized PC 104 keyboard if I ever had to
redefine any terminal settings. Also, I'm fond of my little PFU keyboard.

Are there any VT520 (or DEC/Boundless) terminal documentation resources on
the net that you can recommend? I found a VT520 programmer's reference at
vt100.net:

    http://vt100.net/docs/vt520-rm/

Thanks again,

-- 
john hagen ~ jhagen <at> haushagen.org
======================================

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
NNTP-Posting-Host: arthur.internal.net
NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:03:03 +0000 (UTC)
References: <pkfsu4-3e.ln1@server.adworth.de>
Message-ID: <ffr3qn$n9v$1@nenevr.demon.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:03:03 +0000 (UTC)
From: Simon Coombs <simon@nenevr.demon.co.uk.NOJUNK>
Subject: Re: DEC LK401 on VT520

Dr. Rainer Meergans <rainer.meergans@freenet.de> wrote:
>
> Good evening!
>
> Is it possible to use a DEC LK401 Keyboard on an VT520 Terminal (of
> course after soldering an adaptor)?

I'm afraid not. You will need to use a keyboard with a PS/2 interface
such as the LK461-AG. You should be able to use a standard PC keyboard
if you're not too bothered about staying with a classic DEC layout.

S.

 ..............................................................................

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
NNTP-Posting-Host: c-24-15-149-110.hsd1.il.comcast.net
NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:36:08 -0500
References: <pkfsu4-3e.ln1@server.adworth.de>
Message-ID: <47215296.72C3D5C9@spam.comcast.net>
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:36:06 -0500
From: David J Dachtera <djesys.no@spam.comcast.net>
Subject: Re: DEC LK401 on VT520

"Dr. Rainer Meergans" wrote:
>
> Good evening!
>
> Is it possible to use a DEC LK401 Keyboard on an VT520 Terminal
> (of course after soldering an adaptor)?


VT520s will accept a standard PS/2-style PC keyboard, though the layout
is a bit funky compared to a real LK keyboard and what you might expect
as regards the "Setup" key and such.

The manual can be found at this URL:

    http://www.boundless.com/Documentation.asp

-- 
David J Dachtera
dba DJE Systems

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
NNTP-Posting-Host: 64.174.196.155
NNTP-Posting-Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 16:33:18 EDT
Message-ID: <iooJa.1157$7Q.139351289@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Jun 2003 20:33:18 GMT
From: Vance Haemmerle <vance@toyvax.Glendale.CA.US>
Subject: VT420 keyboards

Hi,

   The VT220 that I've used as my operator console for
almost 10 years seems to have half kicked the bucket.
The screen characters went bad.  When I power cycled,
the screen never came back (though the power light
is still on) and the keyboard lights blink about once
every second.  I'm thinking of getting a VT420 and
I'm wondering if I can keep my same LK201 keyboard
or if it will only take an LK4xx series.

Vance Haemmerle


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
References: <iooJa.1157$7Q.139351289@newssvr14.news.prodigy.com>
Message-ID: <20030622212344.27433.00001119@mb-m01.aol.com>
Date: 23 Jun 2003 01:23:44 GMT
From: Mike Thompson <mzthompson@aol.com>
Subject: Re: VT420 keyboards

On Sunday Jun 22, 2003, Vance Haemmerle wrote:
>
> The VT220 that I've used as my operator console for
> almost 10 years seems to have half kicked the bucket.


The LK201 works fine on a VT420.  The blinking
lights on the keyboard can be an indication of
keyboard problems, so don't assume that just
the VT220 went south.

If the LK201 is bad, I look at it as one of two
major problems.  The keyboard has gotten
some gunk down inside and fouled up the
key matrix or the logic board has gone bad.
Usually it is the matrix and the LK201 is
difficult to clean.  I have yet to see the logic
board go bad.  I have a few spare logic boards
if that turns out to be the case for yours and
you want to replace it.

Mike


 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

[2003-09-01]

Here is documentation on how to configure the keyboard functions of PuTTY:

    http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/0.53b/htmldoc/Chapter4.html#4.4
    http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/docs.html

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
NNTP-Posting-Host: 62.178.46.164
NNTP-Posting-Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2003 20:40:21 MEST
Message-ID: <pir4b.29822$2k4.301180@news.chello.at>
Organization: Customers chello Austria
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2003 18:40:21 GMT
From: Jacek Ruzyczka <uv_centcom@yahoo.com>
Subject: Trouble with VT420 cursor keys under SuSE LINUX

Hello ev'rybody,

I have just purchased a DEC VT420 terminal with a German LK401 keyboard for 
use as a second console with my LINUX (SuSE 8.2) PC via RS232C null modem 
connection. Everything works fine --- only the keys of the editing keypad 
(especially the cursor keys) and PF1 thru PF4 don't work.

When I set the "Arrow Keys" to "Normal" in the VT setup and push one of the 
arrow keys when I'm inside the LINUX shell (bash), the cursor escapes its 
position (into the previous line, for instance). Then I must press 
[Ctrl]+[U] to be able to issue shell commands again.

If the "Arrow Keys" are set to "Application", the arrow keys start printing 
characters like '' on the screen, and the PFs do the same (even if the 
chars are not the same).

My terminal works in VT400 mode with 8 bit chars, and the agetty program on 
the PC is set to "vt420f". I also tried "vt400", "vt420" etc, - but the 
results were the same. I updated the terminfo database (ver. 5.3): This 
worked for exactly one VT session - but now I have the problems with the 
cursor keys again. :-(

By the way, many screen-oriented programs like mc or texconfig display 
nonsense on my VT. Can anybody help me?!?!

Thanx in advance
-- 
Jacek Ruzyczka

 ..............................................................................

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
NNTP-Posting-Host: 62.178.46.164
NNTP-Posting-Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2003 21:51:44 MEST
References: <pir4b.29822$2k4.301180@news.chello.at>
Message-ID: <kls4b.31049$2k4.316858@news.chello.at>
Organization: Customers chello Austria
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2003 19:51:44 GMT
From: Jacek Ruzyczka <uv_centcom@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Trouble with VT420 cursor keys under SuSE LINUX

Jacek Ruzyczka wrote:
>
> I have just purchased a DEC VT420 terminal with a German LK401 keyboard
> for use as a second console with my LINUX (SuSE 8.2) PC via RS232C null
> modem connection. Everything works fine --- only the keys of the editing
> keypad (especially the cursor keys) and PF1 thru PF4 don't work.

Well --- I supposed I have solved the problem on my own: In the setup menu 
"General", choose "VT 400 Mode; 7-bit Controls". Still I can't figure out 
why the VT420 uses 8 bit characters and 7 bit control sequences --- but it 
works. :-))

Have a nice day!
-- 
Jacek Ruzyczka

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Newsgroups: comp.terminals
NNTP-Posting-Host: rrz.allgaeu.org
References: <Pine.OS4.4.58.0411041152400.2834@rrz.allgaeu.org>
    <cmdbue$dk5$03$1@news.t-online.com>
Message-ID: <cmllt3$man$1@rrz.allgaeu.org>
Date: 7 Nov 2004 17:26:59 GMT
From: Volker Englisch <v.englisch@quantentunnel.de>
Subject: Re: VT510 Austrian/German keyboard

Jens Schmidt schrieb:
>
> Volker Englisch wrote:
>
>> I have a Austrian/Germany layout keyboard attached to my VT510
>> terminal (Model LK412-AG). With the key "Gruppenumsch" I can access
>> the chars labeled in the lower right corner of the keys. But how to
>> access the characters in the lower left or the upper right corner of
>> the keys, like the Pound sign of the 3 key? I tried lots of possible
>> combinations but can't figure it out. Does any of you have the same
>> keyboard and knows how to solve? TIA.
>
> Lower left??? That is just the key itself.

Hmm, wasn't my day, eh? Sorry...

> Upper right: Use "Gruppenumsch" as a prefix, not a modifier. Then
> press Shift together with the key.

Thanks a lot for your explanation.

Volker

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
Newsgroups: comp.terminals, comp.sys.dec, comp.os.vms
NNTP-Posting-Host: 24.15.152.30
NNTP-Posting-Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 20:17:42 -0500
References: <tFM6e.184$II.110@news.itd.umich.edu>
    <xFmge.1368$II.579@news.itd.umich.edu> <rshu_20050511150001@stratagy.com>
Message-ID: <4282AEBD.260D40E7@comcast.net>
Organization: DJE Systems
Date: Wed, 11 May 2005 20:17:49 -0500
From: David J Dachtera <djesys.nospam@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: DO HLP HLD BRK PRN and other keymappings
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

"Richard S. Shuford" wrote:
>
> "Lars D. Nooden" wrote:
> |
> | Where can I find a description of the special keys on the old
> | VT terminals?  I need to remap some keys to produce the same effects
> | as DO, HLP, HLD, BRK, PRN and a few others.

If you have access to a VMS system, look at SYS$SYSTEM:SMGTERMS.TXT.
There in, you'll find descriptions of the escape sequence transmitted by
the active function keys. (Roughly equivalent to the termcap file in
UN*X-land, but must be "compiled" into TERMTABLE.EXE.)

Note, however, that the following keys are local to the terminal and
send nothing to the host:

F1 (No Scroll or Scroll Lock) is an XOF/XON toggle.

F2 (Print Screen) sends a text form of what's on the screen to the
printer port. CTRL+F2 toggles "Auto-Print" (what comes the screen also
goes to the printer port).

F3 (Setup) Enter Set up mode. Is a toggle.

F4 (Switch Session or Talk/Data) on VT200 and VT300, was intended for
use with an available internal modem (I think). On VT420 and VT500,
either triggers session control software or switches locally between
pre-configured sessions (for example: Session 1: Comm-1, Session-2:
Comm-2, Session-3: Comm-3).

F5 (Break) generates a break on the currently selected serial port.

-- 
David J Dachtera
dba DJE Systems
http://www.djesys.com/

Unofficial OpenVMS Hobbyist Support Page:
http://www.djesys.com/vms/support/

Unofficial Affordable OpenVMS Home Page:
http://www.djesys.com/vms/soho/

 //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

