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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: DesktopJinx on Thu, 09 June 2011, 10:30:09

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: DesktopJinx on Thu, 09 June 2011, 10:30:09

I've acquired a lightly-used M. Alas, several keys don't work at all. They don't feel any different from working keys, the computer just doesn't detect when they're pressed. Esc, F4-F6, DFGB. Thoughts?

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: DesktopJinx on Thu, 09 June 2011, 16:10:39

Is a bad trace fixable? Not by me I know, but practically?

Is it likely that Coke or other contaminants would kill contacts this dead but be cleaned well enough to feel the same as the neighbors? I've never actually killed a key with food or drink before, or tried to save one so killed.

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: Ascaii on Sat, 11 June 2011, 11:37:46

It could just be a couple broket rivets near the trace...first thing id do is open up the sucker and check for broken rivets.

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: DesktopJinx on Sat, 11 June 2011, 14:18:10

Well, the thing is, this is an M15, which was sold to me as a fully-functioning keyboard. I want to return it; I'm waiting for the seller's response. With my lack of mechanical dexterity I can't risk opening it now.

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: Ascaii on Sat, 11 June 2011, 14:50:29

thats a whole different story...you should have told us its an M15, the traces are completely different on it.

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: DesktopJinx on Sat, 11 June 2011, 15:00:11

Maybe not completely different -- Esc-F4-F5-F6 is an interesting coincidence :)

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 11 June 2011, 15:05:58

I'm calling membrane failure.

Silver trace repair pen to the rescue!

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 12 June 2011, 05:03:04

Wait, this is an M15?

I wanna see pics of the insides :D

If it's constructed anything like an M2, it should just be a case of ripping out the keycaps, and start easing open the tabs that hold the top to the bottom. Just be careful not to break anything while doing it. There are no rivets in the M2/M15 because they have no backplates.

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: DesktopJinx on Fri, 12 August 2011, 21:19:05

So, I ended up sending it to Unicomp, who fixed it (I don't know how; they're great folks but not exactly an everybody-uses-email organization), and now Mark Goldstein's old M15 is my spare.

Eventually I'm going to open an M15, when I can afford to break one, but not this one.

Title: Model M: some keys don't register at all. Ideas?
Post by: REVENGE on Fri, 12 August 2011, 22:20:52

Quote from: DesktopJinx;398017

So, I ended up sending it to Unicomp, who fixed it (I don't know how; they're great folks but not exactly an everybody-uses-email organization), and now Mark Goldstein's old M15 is my spare.

Eventually I'm going to open an M15, when I can afford to break one, but not this one.

Cool, good to know your expensive warez can still be serviced by Unicomp.