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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Oqsy on Tue, 17 November 2009, 22:37:48

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Tue, 17 November 2009, 22:37:48

Any ideas?
(http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp81/Oqsy/mx11800.jpg)

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: sixty on Tue, 17 November 2009, 22:44:48

I just quickly compared the dead keys to the Matrix of the G80 huha posted here (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6229):

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2646&stc=1&d=1244920776)

Seems like most keys in the last row are dead for you. Doesn't sound good, probably cracked PCB or something similar. Open it up and see if you can see any visible damage.

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Tue, 17 November 2009, 23:22:29

oddly enough since I posted I did that, no visible damage, but the clear protective plastic over the main board (beneath the function keys I suppose) was loose inside the case...  to me that's a sign that someone was rough with it at some point (maybe dropped or trying to shake crud out) and matches well with your diagnosis.  It's been in a server rack for years that has been basically out of service but kept around for "legacy data" purposes.  I knew that the trackball wasn't working, but I was hoping to salvage the keyboard.  It's a shame, my first experience with cherry switches, and I have to say I'm quite fond of them.  My board collection has grown quickly since I started my model m key dying project and joined here last week, and I have to say I don't see it slowing down anytime soon!  Now I really want a board with brown cherry switches that actually works!  Bah, you guys gave me your disease.

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Wed, 18 November 2009, 23:35:18

anyone with mx1180 scraps for sale?

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Fri, 27 November 2009, 21:23:49

After dismantling the board and playing around with it a bit, all keys are working except on the numpad:

Num Lock, 7,8,9, and +

This is very interesting to me since some of these keys worked before, and MOST of the nonworking keys from the last test are now working.  I suspect surface shorts or a crappy wire somewhere in the connector area...  anyone know where to look for problems with the keys listed above?  I love this board and want to save it if possible! :D

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 28 November 2009, 07:40:59

You should check and see if the keyboard part's plugged in to the controller with a cable, and make sure it's plugged in properly.

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Sun, 29 November 2009, 18:55:32

yes there is a cable to the controller, but no "connector", it's hard wired to the PCB.

Quote from: microsoft windows;136899

You should check and see if the keyboard part's plugged in to the controller with a cable, and make sure it's plugged in properly.

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: 1839cc on Sun, 29 November 2009, 19:22:15

Mine has a plug.

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 02 December 2009, 19:15:41

Quote from: Oqsy;137313

yes there is a cable to the controller, but no "connector", it's hard wired to the PCB.

Did any of the connections look bad? Was the PCB dirty?

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Thu, 03 December 2009, 00:49:26

everything was nice and clean, no obvious problems this time around...  just the dead keys and trackball...

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 04 December 2009, 16:07:24

When I've had strange problems like that with no apparent bad connections, I have fixed them by just touching every connection with a soldering iron.

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Sat, 05 December 2009, 00:41:11

ms windows: thanks i'd considered that, but as i'm a total newbie to soldering (I have an iron, but only desoldered so far) I'd be VERY afraid of ruining the board by burning something to the point of no repair.  having dead keys sucks, but the board is at least functional right now........

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: 1839cc on Sat, 05 December 2009, 00:58:00

I find soldering easier than desoldering.....

Title: dead keys on a mx11800
Post by: Oqsy on Sat, 05 December 2009, 01:36:51

sounds like we should get a mail trade going for repair projects  ;)
i'll gladly do all your desolder jobs if you'll do my soldering :D