geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: lilmanmgf on Wed, 28 December 2011, 11:23:51
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I received a FILCO Majestouch MX Brown for Christmas, and it is a fantastic keyboard. I have noticed one problem with the "A" key on this particular keyboard though. If I engage the key at any point bellow the "A" they key rocks and makes a click noise. If I continue to push the key down I will still feel the tactile feedback as I do on the other keys. I used a set of mx key cap pullers to remove the key cap, and found that the switch itself is at fault. Every other switch on the keyboard will only respond to a vertically applied force, but the switch under the "A" key will move and click if a slightly horizontal force is applied. Any idea what I should do? Like I said it was a gift, I think it was purchased through Amazon. I'm pretty sure that they are currently out of stock. I saw a video were someone was able to replace the top part of the switch without desoldering the switch, but I'm not sure if this would fix mine. I am fairly capable when it comes to soldering and fixing things in general, but I am hesitant to take apart my brand new $160 keyboard. I really just wanted to confirm that this is in fact a broken switch.
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You will have to desolder the switch to replace it. You can only "pop" the top of to get at the switch on pcb mounted 'boards, yours is plate mounted.
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Does the whole keyswitch housing feel loose from the PCB? There are methods for opening up a Cherry switch, so without having to de-solder, you might be able to deduce if it's the internals, or just a spring reseating issue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng1a9tuact0
There's also quite a few threads on opening up cherry keys. I was able to do it with some paperclips with no sweat (ok there was a little sweat, but only because opening up keyswitches makes me nervous).
If you're not feeling that adventurous, Amazon does give you back money (in the form of an Amazon Gift Card) when you RMA a gift. http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=15015731#recipientreturns
Edit:fossola is right, plate mounted switches keeps you from getting into the internals of the switch
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return it and get a gift card
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FILCO = plate mounted = desolder to remove switches.
BTW, it is only a key and you are quite confident of yourself, then go and source a keyswitch(or swap with those keys you never really used such as NumLck) and replace it?
If not, try contact Amazon if they will prefer you to return it to them or send you a replacement keyswitch.
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Return to Amazon and they will handle it, you get a new keyboard. Don't open it by yourself, in that way, you lose warranty.