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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: beshop on Sat, 03 November 2018, 06:41:06

Title: help with a keyboard mod
Post by: beshop on Sat, 03 November 2018, 06:41:06
so, recently i got my hands on a cherry mx 8100 keyboard, which is a giant keyboard since it was extremely annoying to me with that size i decided to resize it, so i opened the keyboard up and i cut the pcb , removed the numbad and the extra buttons now after reconnecting the keyboard only few keys work would any one have an idea on how to fix this?
Title: Re: help with a keyboard mod
Post by: Sup on Sat, 03 November 2018, 09:31:12
I am no expert in keyboard PCB's or any other PCB. But i think you removed traces of the PCB that where needed to send the signal,current.
Title: Re: help with a keyboard mod
Post by: abrahamstechnology on Sat, 03 November 2018, 10:06:10
Ummm... Because you destroyed the PCB?
Title: Re: help with a keyboard mod
Post by: beshop on Sat, 03 November 2018, 10:29:26
well i guess i'll get a new pcb then, thanks for ur help guys
Title: Re: help with a keyboard mod
Post by: abrahamstechnology on Sat, 03 November 2018, 10:40:20
well i guess i'll get a new pcb then, thanks for ur help guys

I don't want to sound mean or condescending, but why would you want to hack up a very unique keyboard like the 8100 anyway?

You could get a cheapo Cherry MY board and put a GH80-3000 PCB in it.
Title: Re: help with a keyboard mod
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 03 November 2018, 16:47:12
Do you still have the part that you cut off?

First read up on the web somewhere how a keyboard matrix works, if you don't know already.

1. Select one key that does not work.
2. Trace the two traces to that key. If a trace does not lead back to the controller but to your cut-off numpad piece then trace where it goes on the numpad PCB and back again to the main PCB.
3. Solder a wire between two places on the main PCB to replace the trace on the numpad.
4. Then connect the keyboard and test all keys again. If you are lucky, one replacement wire will fix more than one key at once.
Repeat steps until all keys work.

A Multimeter with two probes and a "continuity test" mode would be very helpful in finding out where traces go.