New Keyboard and ? for Skuzzy

[Chalenge]

I have been limping along with an old IBM keyboard from pre-windows days. It works fine had a positive feel even after almost thirty years of use but I think it conflicts with Vista. For instance the zoom keys [ and ] are instead ] and \ and instead of ~ to expand the text window I have to use the TAB key. I did not want to change keyboards because of the dreaded Windows button. Well now I found a really nice looking gamers keyboard that has a Windows key defeat button. Heres a review on it (comments welcome).

http://www.dvhardware.net/review103_revoltec_fightboard.html

For Skuzzy I have this question. While I was researching this keyboard I noticed on the review I linked above an advrtisement for a 'Killer NIC 1 gaming card' by Bigfoot Networks ( http://www.killernic.com/about/default.aspx ) that is supposed to defeat lag by bypassing windows stack...

Okay beyond all the hype it comes down to what Skuzzy has to say... always. What are your impressions on this card and will it do anything? (not that I have lag issues but if it helps...)

[Fulmar]

In theory, the Killer NIC would work.  In real life, your ISP and internet backbone/routing is going to matter a hell of a lot more than your NIC card.  The way ISP's packet sniff, overload lines, and etc these days, your $10 nic is gonna be just as good as the Killer NIC.  It's been around for 4 years or so.  Came on the market when I still played FPS games competively.  The hype behind it was defeated by the actuality that it really didn't make any noticeable improvements.

Perhaps on the super internet network of Japan and Europe would the difference be there, but otherwise, waste of money.

I can't say I've seen that keyboard before.  I've used my Logitech G15 for about a year and it's a good handy keyboard.  LED keys, flip screen LCD, programmable macros and custom programs for your LCD screen are available.  Has two USB ports (1.0 though IIRC), but handy for my joystick plug none the less.  Only downside is it's large footprint.  There is also the G10 which is a step down.  I paid about $70 for the G15 when it was on say.  It's quite comfortable.

And one question for you, does that keyboard have a PS/1 plug on it?

[Chalenge]

The keyboard I have was/is original 5 pin DIN and now has a DIN to PS/2 adapter. The keyboard I am looking to buy is USB. Sorry I wasnt clear on what you were asking.

You didnt mention if the G15 has the ability to defeat/disable the Windows key? Its about two inches too big anyway but I thought I would ask.

[1701E]

If you wish to defeat the Windows key simply take it off .  I had to take both mine off to clean and almost forgot they were missing 'till i went to minimize.

[Fulmar]

The keyboard I have was/is original 5 pin DIN and now has a DIN to PS/2 adapter. The keyboard I am looking to buy is USB. Sorry I wasnt clear on what you were asking.

You didnt mention if the G15 has the ability to defeat/disable the Windows key? Its about two inches too big anyway but I thought I would ask.

I was just asking about the old pin because they're hard to come by anymore

The G15 does have a switch to disable the windows key.  See this link below (large image, didnt want in the thread).  In the image, if you find the blue MR key, it is directly to the right of that.  Also this one in the image is the newest revision.  Mine looks slight different and it looks like the footprint in smaller on the new one.  If you use Ventrilo for voice chat, Vent 3.0 has a built in plugin that shows what channel/who's talking on the LCD screen.

http://www.logimaniacos.com/files/posted_images/user_7_48623_g15_133122.jpg

Newegg link.  Currently at $90, but goes on sale off and on.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126034&Tpk=logitech%2bg15

[BaldEagl]

What does the Windows key do and why are you afraid of it?  In 15 years I guess I've never touched it so I don't know.

Can't you re-map your keys in the game?

[AirFlyer]

It minimizes applications. So usually (and I do this all the time) your lining up that perfect shot on a con after fighting him for several minutes, your about to get him, and then suddenly your staring at your desktop. Only to notice seconds later one of your fingers accidentally hit the dreaded Windows Key.

[NHawk]

There's no need to pry off the Windows key with XP...

BE CAREFUL! MAKE A MISTAKE EDITING THE REGISTRY AND YOU CAN TRASH YOUR COMPUTER!

To disable the Windows key, do the following...

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. On the left side of the window, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
3. Click the System\CurrentControlSet\Control folder, and then double-click the Keyboard Layout folder.
4. On the Edit menu, click New, Binary Value and on the right side of the window type in Scancode Map as the name for the new value.
5. Right click on Scancode Map and select Modify Binary Value then type 00000000000000000300000000005 BE000005CE000000000 in the Data field, and then click OK.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer. No more windows key problems.

[Skuzzy]

The "Killer NIC" is a huge waste of money.

[Chalenge]

Thanks NHawk but I dont want it permanently disabled. I dont like it when Im flying for reasons outlined above. The 'windows key'-E shortcut  (and a few others of course) for explorer is something I have used when do offline work.

BaldEagl you cant remap the windows key and even though I have 'Zoom' mapped to throttle and stick I still have reason to use the keyboard occasionally. I hate to be 'zooming' in on a bombing target when that happens because when level bombing you have to go around but dive-bombing when this happens sends you to the tower real fast.

Fulmar I have three of these keyboards (old IBM type). The other two are used but havent seen use in fifteen years and Im holding on to them because I know they will always work unless a coffee splash kills one and so far I have spilled things on them and just cleaned them up and they go on working but you never know.

Thanks for your input Skuzzy.

[llama]

The Killer NIC is for gamers with more money than brains. It's perhaps the biggest hardware boondoggle currently for sale.

In a perfect world, it theoretically could decrease your ping time. By like 1 or 2 ms, since that's all the time a packet takes to get from your built-in NIC port to your CPU. So it offloads "network processing cycles" from the CPU, saving what, like .5% of CPU cycles? Big deal. Get a CPU that's more than .5% faster than what you've already got, and if it costs less money than the Killer NIC, then you've just saved some money. Or overclock your CPU more than .5% for free.

When gaming over the internet, it isn't the NIC that's the holdup -- it's the Internet at large.

-Llama

[llama]

Regarding keyboards.

First, get anything you like and disable the Windows key while playing games with this free software:

http://www.freewarefiles.com/Windows-Key-Disabler_program_25197.html

Now then. I'm a professional writer, and I am very VERY fussy about keyboards.

My primary keyboard is a 20-year old Apple Extended Keyboard (I) with Alps switches. This is an ADB keyboard, and I use a Grifin iMate to convert it into a USB device. It works perfectly with AH in every way. The Apple key maps to the Windows key.

My secondary keyboard is a 18-year old IBM Model M with built-in Eraser-head pointing device. It is a PS/2 device, and I use a USB to PS/2 adapter to connect it. It also works perfectly with AH in every way. There's no Windows key.

My third keyboard is a 24-year old Cherry POS (point of sale) mini keyboard, which is half as wide and twice as tall as a normal keyboard, as it places the arrow keys, function keys, and numeric keypad above the letter keys. It connects via an extension cable from my PC to my cockpit. It uses an AT connection - the big fat wide 5-pin circular connector - which I convert with an AT-to-PS/2 adapter as it runs through my old Thrustmaster joystick setup. Obviously, it lacks a Windows key. It too works perfectly with AH in every way.

All three keyboards are always connected to the PC. Windows supports multiple keyboards just fine.

I mention this because if you really like your existing keyboard, keep using it for your daily activities, and then just plug in your favorite USB keyboard when you want to game.

Regarding odd keys from your old keyboard to AH: when you open Notepad and press those characters: do the correct characters appear in notepad when you type their keys on the keyboard? Is this an XT (rather than AT) keyboard? If so, that can cause a problem - check for an XT/AT switch on the underside of the keyboard and switch it to AT if it ins't already. (Turn off the PC first.)

Old keyboards should work just fine in Vista if they are AT or newer...

-Llama