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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: oVo on Sat, 21 May 2011, 01:57:25
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So a giant spider was crawling down my wall and I freaked out. He got away and I had to unplug everything and move my desk to find the bastard. I wouldn't of been able to go on computing/gaming otherwise without the fear of being eaten alive.
Well I plugged everything back in and my keyboard (X-Armor U9BL) Works fine, but the key backlights won't turn on and I am pretty sure it's something silly with the driver, I think I plugged it into a different USB slot but now all of them don't work. I can't seem to find where to remove the driver so it can reinstall it's self as well in the device manager.
The FN+media keys work, and the light for numlock+others work.
Thanks in advance.
Edit: I know this is a really simple issue, and you guys are normally more advanced, but this is also my way of entering the community I guess. Always lurked around :)
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wlcm 2 gh!
You can join the Xarmor problem club
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try plugging in the keyboard after you've booted. i used to have one that the caps and numlock lights would get reversed on (lit when not in said mode) and that usually solved it. if you want to try re-installing the driver it would be listed under keyboards in device manager. just uninstall the device(s) and reboot.
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try plugging in the keyboard after you've booted. i used to have one that the caps and numlock lights would get reversed on (lit when not in said mode) and that usually solved it. if you want to try re-installing the driver it would be listed under keyboards in device manager. just uninstall the device(s) and reboot.
Tried both of those fixes, didn't work :(
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try the keyboard on another pc, if backlit still doesn't work, is likely you have to to check and replace the microfuse
(http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/971/imag0117fuse.png)
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I tried plugging it into my lappy and same problem. That really sucks :( I was loving this keyboard.
I am a newbie with opening up and messing with circuit boards, how can I tell if it's ok in the picture you linked me.
Edit: Opened it up and don't know what I am looking for, I see where you are pointing too though. Is there a way to test it by reset onboard memory or something?
On the bright side, there was a heart with an arrow through it drawn on the inside.
Edit2: and I have no idea how to solder at all, but it's time to learn lol :P
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Is there a way to test it by reset onboard memory or something?
You need a tester aka multimeter. You can also try to temporarily jumper it with a scissor but you have to pay attention to not short other circuitry.
My fuse is transparent so the wire inside is visible (if not burnt)
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Mine is not burnt as well, so that means it's ok? Again I don't know this stuff very well.
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Mine is not burnt as well, so that means it's ok? Again I don't know this stuff very well.
Please don't hit me for suggesting this... The leds on the XArmor are always off by default. Did you Fn 8 to turn them back on?
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Please don't hit me for suggesting this... The leds on the XArmor are always off by default. Did you Fn 8 to turn them back on?
Haha yes. And the Fn key works with the media keys and the numpad works fine.
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Can you be a bit more specific about what lights aren't working?
Are you saying ALL the backlit keys don't work except the "standard" normally LED lights - ScrollLock, Capslock, Numlock?
That would isolate where in the circuit the problem is.
Yes, the standard LED lights work fine. Everything is in working order other than the FN+8. So that means all of them besides the standard.
Do the backlights work with the PS/2 connector? I figured that since they aren't working that I would switch over. (this is not the problem, just curious)
Edit: Clarity
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Haha yes. And the Fn key works with the media keys and the numpad works fine.
Sorry I had to ask... Sometimes it can get way too technical. Just checking if it's plugged and switch to ON can solve surprisingly complex issues :-)
(Glad you didn't take offence of the Fn-NumbPad8)
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i know you said you plugged everything back in but just want to make sure you have plugged BOTH USB cables (or 1 USB 1 PS/2 cable) in.
When i disconnect my power USB and keep PS/2 in, i am still able to use FN+media keys and num, caps and scrolll lock will light up as you described
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Is the USB hub on the keyboard working? (Try mouse or thumbdrive in it)
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Sorry I had to ask... Sometimes it can get way too technical. Just checking if it's plugged and switch to ON can solve surprisingly complex issues :-)
(Glad you didn't take offence of the Fn-NumbPad8)
Nah man, I have been there before. My friend's PC was out of commission for the longest time, found out it was the surge protector and he never tried plugging into other outlets when it didn't start =/
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i know you said you plugged everything back in but just want to make sure you have plugged BOTH USB cables (or 1 USB 1 PS/2 cable) in.
When i disconnect my power USB and keep PS/2 in, i am still able to use FN+media keys and num, caps and scrolll lock will light up as you described
wow, I'm pretty stupid. Thank you man. I completely forgot this keyboard come with a separate cord for the Backlights/Usb ports.
I'm so happy now :D
See Buckling, sometimes it is the stupid easy to forget things.
(I need better cable management)
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Mine is not burnt as well
how do you checked it ?
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wow, I'm pretty stupid. Thank you man. I completely forgot this keyboard come with a separate cord for the Backlights/Usb ports.
ROFL - "Just checking if it's plugged and switch to ON can solve surprisingly complex issues :-)"
Plus you just spare the XArmor brand an lot of "Ripster XArmor b!tching".
(I have to admit, I had my share too)
Glad you solved it without taking off any screws or keycaps. This thing is really not built for opening the hood.
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ROFL - "Just checking if it's plugged and switch to ON can solve surprisingly complex issues :-)"
Plus you just spare the XArmor brand an lot of "Ripster XArmor b!tching".
Glad you solved it without taking off any screws or keycaps. This thing is really not built for opening the hood.
I opened it up, I like how it's really easy to clean under the keys. And the inspector drew a heart on it. I have had far more flimsy keyboards/hardware before. Quite happy with this. Idk what is up with their site though.
The 2nd USB was tucked behind the desk and completely missed it, but I would rather look like a moron than having to replace a part from the inside.
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I like how it's really easy to clean under the keys. And the inspector drew a heart on it. I have had far more flimsy keyboards/hardware before. Quite happy with this. Idk what is up with their site though.
You seam to know what you are doing... Good.
My "concern" with the cover is how close the wires are to one of the screws. You can easily pinch one when you put back the cover together.
The keycaps are made of horrible plastic quality, taking them off is a risky business and may weaken the stem (if you don't break them).
If you take off the cover for cleaning purpose, then make sure you don't apply any lateral forces to the keys when you clean it. Personally, I'm only going to open mine again if it breaks. The duster and vacuum cleaner will do the rest.
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Congrats!
I'm curious, what is your serial number (last 3 digits?).
To know what he got, we need to know all numbers.
Year-Batch-position in batch
(The last 3 only provide the position in the batch)
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You seam to know what you are doing... Good.
My "concern" with the cover is how close the wires are to one of the screws. You can easily pinch one when you put back the cover together.
The keycaps are made of horrible plastic quality, taking them off is a risky business and may weaken the stem (if you don't break them).
If you take off the cover for cleaning purpose, then make sure you don't apply any lateral forces to the keys when you clean it. Personally, I'm only going to open mine again if it breaks. The duster and vacuum cleaner will do the rest.
I will definitely keep this in mind, this has been my favorite keyboard by far and I want it to last. I love the blue switches even though it seems a lot of people in the SC2 community swear by the brown.
Congrats!
I'm curious, what is your serial number (last 3 digits?).
U9BL 110100074
How do you find info with these numbers?
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Just look for another XArmor thread. There should be a few of them recently. Great you got it working.
and...Welcome!
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U9BL 110100074
How do you find info with these numbers?
We made few assumptions based the the data we got.
Your's is the 74'th of the first batch done in 2011
Do you have a DOT or a LINE on the spacebar?
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I will definitely keep this in mind, this has been my favorite keyboard by far and I want it to last. I love the blue switches even though it seems a lot of people in the SC2 community swear by the brown.
Brown are good for one night stands. Many will marry Blue.
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We made few assumptions based the the data we got.
Your's is the 74'th of the first batch done in 2011
Do you have a DOT or a LINE on the spacebar?
It's a line on the upper part of it.
I am going to have blue's children. Love it so much.
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did you throw up on your board
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It's a line on the upper part of it.
I am going to have blue's children. Love it so much.
Those are rare. Most of the blue I've seen were from the first generation with Dots (came with sh!t load of problems in bonus)
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That's ok, I have my knights to protect me.
(http://i.imgur.com/MA6v1.jpg)
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Haha, I read through most of the threads of X-armor with rip, buck and solutor. It's really a shame a lot of people have had issues with it (thankfully mine was just moronic ignorance). But so far I have really enjoyed this keyboard, but it is my first mechanical Keyboard. I did get into this market of keyboards because of X-armor because it appealed to me with what it offered, and what it didn't have. (extra unneeded bull****.) So Mechanical keyboards now have one more customer and the market is now +1 and GH forums now have 1 more person :)
But you 3 sound like an alignment chart for D&D and I think that's in a way awesome because the world needs all point of views for a greater ideal.
From the evolution of the keyboards I have owned, I have enjoyed this one the most out of all, but it is the very first mechanical keyboard i have owned and now I can't go back to the cheap **** and I am sold on Mechanical Keyboards forever.
I can only hope I have one of the models that stays with me forever from a dead brand. But I think this keyboard is absolute sex and is perfect for everything I need in a keyboard (Size, texture, color, style) It may not be what everyone is looking for, but at the end of the day, if the consumer is happy then that's all that matters.
I was looking for a filco that was stupid impossible to find at the time this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yavzCfUE-1w&feature=related). until I decided upon this one (after looking at videos and asking people who have it what they thought)
I know that the X-armor is gimmicky in a way, but far less that the crap razer and logitech puts out, and I know that if I am ever getting robbed and the keyboard is the only thing I can grab, that I would knock the person out cold with this thing, and for some reason that is important to me.
That's all :P
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It is surprising that there are so few backlit mechanicals, would be nice if more had it for an option.
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But you 3 sound like an alignment chart for D&D and I think that's in a way awesome because the world needs all point of views for a greater ideal.
LoL
My main grip with the XArmor is the stabilizer system, second by the weak keycap stems.
Solutor is more forgiven.
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It is surprising that there are so few backlit mechanicals, would be nice if more had it for an option.
Wait one or two years just the time to smell business...
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Solutor is more forgiven.
Solutor left the kindergarden many years ago, you should try also the experience... :baby:
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Solutor left the kindergarden many years ago, you should try also the experience... :baby:
I guess childish have a different meaning in your area.
In my world engineering and materials resistance is taught in Universities. You must be a really really smart kid if you learned that in kindergarden.
I don't think calling you more "forgiven" was childish or offensive.
Maybe it's just my poor English... I just meant to say you have more tolerance to poor design then me.
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Welcome to GeekHack oVo, I hope the guys around here can help you with your problem :)