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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Eric123! on Tue, 16 June 2020, 02:58:51
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Hey!
So I recently built a new keyboard, however unfortunately the "a" button does not work.
When testing the pcb, i found that bridging the bottom pad of the "a" switch to the top pad of the tab switch actuated the "a", which is what i wanted.
I bridged the switches using a wire which i used to test the pcb, although the "a" button still does not actuate.
Any help is appreciated!
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It's a bit hard to figure out what you mean without a photo... but from my read of your post, it sounds like the switch itself isn't closing the circuit, i.e. just the switch is busted.
You could confirm this using a multimeter, though you might need a second person to help you hold stuff.
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https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/693393643284987925/722368671355240498/unknown.png
This is what i meant. The blue line represents where i got the "a" button to actuate and where i soldered the wire.
By "the switch itself", do you mean the physical switch or something wrong with the switch on the pcb? If so, how do I fix it? Thanks
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Hi, there's no blue line that I can see in that photo. I can see where the two solder joints are supposed to be on either side of the "A".
So you're saying that by shorting out those points, the board registers a switch press?
I very hazy guess is that either the physical MX switch itself isn't working properly, or the solder joints are not good- that left hand side one looks really iffy imo. Can you redo the joint?
(As a comparison, the joint on the left side of the Q looks good and solid.)
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Hey, check the photo again. I sent the wrong photo, my mistake
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That would be a strange fix, usually it's the switch next door or above not both. The diodes are connected vertically so I'd think the wire should go to Caps or S, but if you say Tab works I wont argue.
The solder on the left of A looks a lot like there is no pad which would explain it not working. If you short the two 'pads' of A does it work with the wire soldered? That's all the switch does and it's easier than the three handed multimeter and press test.
If Tab does work it's also possible that the firmware doesn't match the PCB - have you flashed it yet?
What PCB
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That would be a strange fix, usually it's the switch next door or above not both. The diodes are connected vertically so I'd think the wire should go to Caps or S, but if you say Tab works I wont argue.
The solder on the left of A looks a lot like there is no pad which would explain it not working. If you short the two 'pads' of A does it work with the wire soldered? That's all the switch does and it's easier than the three handed multimeter and press test.
If Tab does work it's also possible that the firmware doesn't match the PCB - have you flashed it yet?
What PCB
It's a pcb i got from a magicforce 68. Ill have to desolder the switch to check the pads, it may have lifted off, as i could not get a good connection explaining the shoddiness of the connection. Caps lock triggers Z. The main thing im wondering is why the bridge is not working when touching them together with a wire does. Also, how should i flash the firmware on this pcb? thanks
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Ah, when I read 'built' I assumed this was a DIY board not a mod. Non DIY keyboard, crazy matrix - nothing unusual there! You wont be able to flash the PCB, you'll have to use the standard layout (or a Hasu USB-USB converter) I wouldn't desolder the switch unless it's confirmed dead, just assume the pad is gone.
Does shorting the two pads of A work?
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Ah, when I read 'built' I assumed this was a DIY board not a mod. Non DIY keyboard, crazy matrix - nothing unusual there! You wont be able to flash the PCB, you'll have to use the standard layout (or a Hasu USB-USB converter) I wouldn't desolder the switch unless it's confirmed dead, just assume the pad is gone.
Does shorting the two pads of A work?
Do you mean the pad where the two pins go through? Also, do i bridge with the broken pad or the working one?
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Yes, the two pins of the A switch. This is what happens when you press it (assuming the switch works) and it's easier to test than trying to hold a probe on each pin while pressing the switch. You may be the unluckiest guy in the world and have soldered a broken jumper wire that doesn't work!