Customizing my Compaq MX-11800 keyboard
24 days ago
- Bought an Apple Extended Keyboard II and later a Compaq MX-11800 with a built-in mouse ball.
- Attempted to solder Gateron Milky Yellow Pro switches but only a few keys worked due to incompatible 2-pin design vs original 4-pin with diodes.
- Used Mill-Max sockets for hotswapping but encountered the same issue; original switches were re-soldered successfully.
- Painted the keyboard using Pantone PMS 420 C and installed Classic Light keycaps from MVKB via Keebz N Cables.
- Configured Karabiner-Elements for macOS to remap keys (left control to option, left option to command) and dealt with missing third key and trackball limitations.
- Acquired a dual PS/2 adapter and USB-A to USB-C adapter, leading to a messy but functional setup.