Preparing keyboard and mouse [NEC PC98]
Keyboard
The keyboard interface uses a proprietary serial protocol, and it is different from IBM PC's. You need get an NEC or EPSON keyboard. Keyboards for the PC-98 had never been sold separately from NEC for a long time, but all of them use the same protocol and scan codes. You can use any PC-98 keyboards for any models. However, there are a few exception. Older keyboards have an angle plug, and it cannot be connected with a tower form of the PC-98 physically. Also, Windows 2000 will hang up when it is used with an older mechanical keyboard.
| Year | Mark | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 - 1983 | NEC PC-9801 | Large DIN connector used with the first PC-9801 only. |
| 1983 - 1985 | NEC PC-9801 | Mini DIN connector. |
| 1985 - 1988 | NEC PC-9801U, NEC PC-9801V, NEC PC-9801C | Added NFER key. |
| 1988 - 1992 | NEC PC-9801R, NEC PC-9800 SERIES | Added vf1 - vf5 keys. Momentary shift key-switches with LEDs. |
| 1992 - 1994 | NEC | Mechanical -> Dome key-switches. |
| 1994 - 1995 | NEC | Angle plug -> Straight plug. |
| 1995 - | NEC | Added Windows and application keys. |
Keyboard came with early PC-9801RA and RX models. This is the common keyboard layout for the PC-98.
Pinout
In the Windows era, NEC provided some different keyboard layouts for the PC-98. They are not supported on MS-DOS.
Mouse
The PC-9801, E, F and M models (released in 1982 - 1984) require a mouse interface card. The rest of PC-98 has a bus mouse interface, yet the mouse was not a common device until Microsoft Windows became widely used in the 1990s. There are two types of connectors, Male DE-9 and Mini-DIN-9. You cannot use neither a PS/2 mouse nor a serial mouse because its signal format is different.
Image and pinout
It seems the pin 7 of DE-9 plug is missing, but I've never seen a female connector with the filled hole.
