ozzy

The cable on our rack-mounted server keyboard got snagged on it's rails and tore a nice chunk out the cable.

Dell want £60 for a new one, so I'm looking for a cheap alternative. Needs to be rack mountable (don't need any rails) and have an internal trackball.

Anyone have any kicking about their server rooms? or point me in the direction of a cheap alternative?

Stefan

Iain

Why don't you just open it up and put a new cable on ?

We use cherry keyboards G84-4400 ( with in. trackerball )
http://www.cherrycorp.com/products/US/keyboards/

ozzy

That was the plan, but Dell say they can't/won't supply just a cable

I've opened the keyboard and if I could source the cable it looks pretty straightforward to replace.

Stefan

ozzy

Iain,

I just did a search for that Cherry keyboard and it's £120 Makes the Dell one look cheap.

Stefan

darlodge

Have your had a word with your account manger. I'm sure they will be able to source you one on the cheap.

Which type of keyboard is it. There is 2 different trackball keyboards. Does your monitor fold back wards into the tray or does the monitor pull forward and go up and down and look space age?

Darren

ozzy

The space age one. Keyboard just sits in a tray. I could probably just cut the cable and re-do the ends, but I'd rather just replace the whole cable.

The bloke in parts is on holiday, so I'll ask the account manager. Won't hold my breath though as their only really interested if you can help them fulfill their quarterly sales figures.

Stefan

darlodge

We must have a decent account manager then (when I can get hold of him ) I've 'obtain' some (5) free Dell Axim 3i wirlesss PDA's in the last few weeks

Darren

ozzy

I've had a look at the cable. There's 9 wires in total (4 x keyboard, 4 x trackball + 1 shield).

Looks like the only cable that's snagged is a single (green) keyboard wire. It's not cut, just exposed the wire beneath the cable and causing it to short against the shield.

I've made a temporary fix and the keyboard/mouse works 100% now. Going to wrap the exposed wire in some tape and leave it like that.

Stefan

ozzy

Darren,

Sounds like you have a decent manager right enough. Ask for a free cable next time you speak to him

Stefan

darlodge

I'd want more than a few cable, I'm on the look out for a Canon IXUS 500

Darren