I am using an F62 manufactured on 2021-05-23. It has a USB-C connector and it works with the supplied USB-C to USB-A cable connected to a desktop PC. However, it doesn’t work connected to a newer PC that has USB-C inputs using a USB-C to USB-C cable (I’ve tried several). With such a cable, the PC does not recognize the device at all.
Apparently this is a known problem with earlier revisions of the xwhatsit controller. Although physically the connector is USB-C, it’s really only speaking the older USB protocol. So that the host recognizes this, certain pins need to be joined with a resistor or something.
My question is whether this issue is fixed in newer units, and whether it’s a fix I could perform as a field repair (assuming only very basic soldering skills). Or would the only option be to replace the controller?
I just tested a standard USB-C to USB-C cable from an old Google phone charger and the Model F is recognized and working just fine. As noted in the manual, active or smart USB-C cables will not function. And another solution was already mentioned in the forum thread you posted in – just use the supplied cable with a USB-A to USB-C adapter plug.
I tested with a controller that was not updated with the fix. I just checked my emails and saw that the wcass controller was updated in 2022 but only for the 33 pin controller, which is compatible with all new Model F keyboards. You can desolder and replace the controller but I do not recommend it – try the adapter plug. The other controllers were all made before the update so there is no updated 30 pin wcass controller. However, as pandrew confirmed, all versions of the controller will work with USB-C to USB-C cables, but they must not be active (“e” marked). More discussion is here for your reference: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?p=506276#p506276
Thanks. The cable I used does not have any markings (“e” or otherwise) but I guess it must be an active cable anyway.
To make sure, can you suggest a USB-C cable that’s definitely non-active for me to purchase? Then I can test with that exact cable to rule out any other causes.
Sorry I can’t do that; I can only say what worked for me was a basic phone charger cable from an old Google pixel phone. My recommendation is to try the provided cable with an adapter.
I wondered whether the problem was with the PC. I am using a Dell 5750 laptop, which does have trouble recognizing USB3 devices. But I tried with a Macbook Air M1, and got the same result — the keyboard is not detected when plugged in using a USB-C to USB-C cable (which as far as I can tell is not an active or smart cable).
I will try to get hold of a basic charger cable from a USB-C phone and see if that works where my current USB-C cables do not.
May I ask what is the manufacture date of your board? I believe there was a revision to the xwhatsit controller to support USB-C cables. As far as I know I am not using an active or smart cable, just a plain Jane USB-C to USB-C cable (and I’ve tried a couple).
While I can use an adaptor, my question is whether I can modify my board to make it capable of operating with the standard USB-C cable (as your board does — but perhaps it is a newer revision)? Do I have to upgrade the whole controller, or is there a relatively simple modification to the PCB?