Discussion:
Windows support non-USB keyboards from different computer systems?
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JJ
2023-07-04 21:33:56 UTC
Permalink
I noticed that, Windows supports keyboard layouts of non-USB keyboards from
different computer systems such as PC-9800, OASYS, DEC, etc. Particularly,
Japanese keyboards. As shown that, Windows has below DLL files which
contains keyboard layout data for mapping scan codes, text characters,
Windows virtual codes, as well as control character codes.

F3AHVOAS.DLL: Japanese (Fujitsu FMV oyayubi-shift keyboard)
KBDAX2.DLL : Japanese (AX2)
KBDIBM02.DLL: Japanese (IBM 5576-002/003)
KBDLK41A.DLL: Japanese (DEC LK411-AJ)
KBDNEC95.DLL: Japanese (NEC PC-9800 Windows 95)
KBDNECAT.DLL: Japanese (NEC PC-9800 on PC98-NX)
KBDNECNT.DLL: Japanese (JP Japanese NEC PC-9800)

See the "File Description" field from the file properties.

This apply (AFAIK, as checked) since Windows XP and up to Windows 11.

So why does Windows support them? How can those keyboards be used on
standard PCs in the first place? Considering that the keyboard connector
pinouts are different, and AFAIK there's no adapter/converter for them
(except those created by hobbyists)?
MummyChunk
2023-12-21 13:44:13 UTC
Permalink
Post by JJ
I noticed that, Windows supports keyboard layouts of non-US
keyboards fro
Post by JJ
different computer systems such as PC-9800, OASYS, DEC, etc
Particularly
Post by JJ
Japanese keyboards. As shown that, Windows has below DLL file
whic
Post by JJ
contains keyboard layout data for mapping scan codes, tex
characters
Post by JJ
Windows virtual codes, as well as control character codes
F3AHVOAS.DLL: Japanese (Fujitsu FMV oyayubi-shift keyboard
KBDAX2.DLL : Japanese (AX2
KBDIBM02.DLL: Japanese (IBM 5576-002/003
KBDLK41A.DLL: Japanese (DEC LK411-AJ
KBDNEC95.DLL: Japanese (NEC PC-9800 Windows 95
KBDNECAT.DLL: Japanese (NEC PC-9800 on PC98-NX
KBDNECNT.DLL: Japanese (JP Japanese NEC PC-9800
See the "File Description" field from the fil
properties
Post by JJ
This apply (AFAIK, as checked) since Windows XP and up to Window
11
Post by JJ
So why does Windows support them? How can those keyboards be use
o
Post by JJ
standard PCs in the first place? Considering that the keyboar
connecto
Post by JJ
pinouts are different, and AFAIK there's no adapter/converter fo
the
Post by JJ
(except those created by hobbyists)
Drivers??


This is a response to the post seen at
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=648756175#64875617
g***@aol.com
2023-12-24 00:34:50 UTC
Permalink
On Thu, 21 Dec 2023 13:44:13 +0000,
Post by JJ
Post by JJ
I noticed that, Windows supports keyboard layouts of non-USB
keyboards from
Post by JJ
different computer systems such as PC-9800, OASYS, DEC, etc.
Particularly,
Post by JJ
Japanese keyboards. As shown that, Windows has below DLL files
which
Post by JJ
contains keyboard layout data for mapping scan codes, text
characters,
Post by JJ
Windows virtual codes, as well as control character codes.
F3AHVOAS.DLL: Japanese (Fujitsu FMV oyayubi-shift keyboard)
KBDAX2.DLL : Japanese (AX2)
KBDIBM02.DLL: Japanese (IBM 5576-002/003)
KBDLK41A.DLL: Japanese (DEC LK411-AJ)
KBDNEC95.DLL: Japanese (NEC PC-9800 Windows 95)
KBDNECAT.DLL: Japanese (NEC PC-9800 on PC98-NX)
KBDNECNT.DLL: Japanese (JP Japanese NEC PC-9800)
See the "File Description" field from the file
properties.
Post by JJ
This apply (AFAIK, as checked) since Windows XP and up to Windows
11.
Post by JJ
So why does Windows support them? How can those keyboards be used
on
Post by JJ
standard PCs in the first place? Considering that the keyboard
connector
Post by JJ
pinouts are different, and AFAIK there's no adapter/converter for
them
Post by JJ
(except those created by hobbyists)?
Drivers???
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=648756175#648756175
Why do you think the pin out on the kbd connector would be different?
That is a pretty standard connector, whether it is the big 5 pin DIN
(XT/AT) or the mini 6 pin DIN (PS/2). Who ever used a different
pinout?
Certainly you can map any key to anything with a driver, code page or
something tho. Back in the olden days you could remap a keyboard with
the PROMPT command in the autoexec (or anywhere else really). You just
needed ANSI.SYS loaded in CONFIG.SYS.

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