geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: comp_wiz101 on Sun, 20 December 2009, 01:42:28
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Hello, new guy here :)
I have the great joy of using my first clicky-key keyboard to type out this message.
Found at the thrift store, with a model M (I'll get into that in another thread...)
The M2 did not come easy though, as I had to repair this keyboard of the typical M2 problem: the caps lock and scroll lock light would come on... and stay that way. The capacitors on the keyboard controller were toast, and I was up the river with no SMD parts in sight. So, on a lark I soldered in two capacitors that were up to 50% (!) off in capacitance and about 10 to 20 times larger in physical size and hooked up the board... eureka! The lights turned off!
I rearranged the caps and found that I could fit them into the slim M2 casing. 20 minutes of attaching keycaps later, it was good as new!
Having typed this whole post out on this keyboard, I'm so happy with it I don't even mind the next thread I have to start for the model M...
Until next time....
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Welcome, welcome. We'll be criticizing you like an old timer before you know it
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I'm glad to hear you got some IBM's. Aren't they great-feeling keyboards?
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Electrolytics normally are not used in places where tolerances are particularly critical, so something off by +50% wouldn't make much of a difference. As long as the new caps can be fitted somewhere without excessive leg lengths, it should be OK.
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This is good to know. I've still got two M2s that need repair. I've been putting it off for some magical reason that only makes sense in the Twilight Zone.