Anders Nielsen, a YouTuber and vintage computing enthusiast, recently rescued a classic IBM Model M2 buckling spring keyboard from the scrap heap. The keyboard initially appeared non-functional but started working after being plugged in. However, it eventually stopped working altogether, prompting Nielsen to investigate the issue and attempt a restoration.
Nielsen discovered that the keyboard likely had faulty capacitors on the control board and decided to replace them. After encountering some initial issues, he eventually fixed the problem by identifying a bad connection at one of the solder joints. Nielsen emphasized the importance of being careful when working on old IBM boards due to their lack of thermal relief on the GND pads.
In his quest for more information about the keyboard controller chip, Nielsen turned to ChatGPT for help. However, the response he received from the large language model was incorrect, as it claimed the chip was an Intel 8042, which is actually a motherboard controller and not the chip inside the keyboard. Nielsen was able to correct this misinformation and successfully restore the keyboard to working condition.
The IBM Model M2 keyboard is a member of the renowned Model M family, known for its buckling spring design and durability. Nielsen’s restoration project not only salvaged a piece of vintage computing history but also showcased the potential risks of relying on large language models like ChatGPT for research purposes.
For more details on Nielsen’s restoration process and insights into vintage computing, viewers can watch the embedded video on his YouTube channel.
Article Source
https://www.hackster.io/news/anders-nielsen-brings-an-ibm-model-m2-keyboard-back-from-the-brink-and-offers-a-chatgpt-warning-16056ecbce55
