Model M shift issue

[pierfranco]

Hello everybody,
I'm new to this community and I want to tell you about the problem I currently have with a brand new 1996 IBM Model M keyboard I came across while looking for a mechanical one. I own a 2011 Dell XPS 8300 workstation which, obviously, doesn't have any PS/2 input port. Frustrated by the Dell rubber dome keyboard which came with the computer I started looking around for a decent one to replace it and I found this brand new Model M which I bought instantly. As soon as I did this purchase I also bought a Dell PS/2 - Serial expansion card in order to have the possibility to connect the keyboard directly to my computer and also the PS/2 to USB adapter/converter talked about in this page http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/124184 , just to be sure that eventually everything will be ok.
Now the problem I'm experiencing is that I'm unable to get my Model M working correctly, neither with the expansion card nor with the ps2 to usb adapter/converter; for example when I type any amount of letters, after a little time, they will switch automatically to upper case as if I pressed the Caps Lock, without me pressing it at all. I tried also on a 3 year-old notebook using the same adapter as before and getting the same results. I'm unable to understand if it's a computer or a keyboard problem, but I suspect, or at least I hope, even if I tried it on another computer, it is the former because the keyboard is really brand new and came with the packaging and an old IBM "Working with displays" information note.
If someone have had the same issue and has been able to solve it I would really appreciate some help.
Looking forward of being part of this community I hope someone will be able to help me solve this issue.

[Soarer]

Hello!

If you could find a computer with a PS/2 port to test it on that would determine for sure whether the converter is the problem. However, the 'blue cube' is known to work well with the Model M, and also the problem you describe doesn't sound like a converter problem.

Sometimes springs simply get dislodged a little during shipping, and just removing and replacing the keycap can fix it. Usually a dislodged spring causes a key to not activate properly, or with a dull sound and/or 'wrong' tactility. I guess it could cause a switch to be hyper-sensitive, and activate just from the vibration of you typing.

To narrow it down... when it happens, press a key on the number row to see whether it's caps-lock or whether it's a shift.

The other possibility is that the plastic rivets that hold the switch unit together have failed, which can happen simply due to age (combined with shipping, probably). That's fixable with a 'bolt-mod', but let's check the simpler-to-fix possibilities first

[pierfranco]

Thanks for your reply.
I pressed a key on the row number as you suggested, namely 4, and I got $; also when I pressed \ I got |}, but I don't know why the } is registered because it should not be supposed to be there.
This make me think it's a shift issue and not a caps-lock's, but I'm pretty new to the mechanical keyboards world, actually this is my first, and I would know your opinion about that. I also don't know what a bolt-mod is and how to remove a cap and fix a dislodged spring. I will look on the web and share the results. In the meantime if you have other ideas I will be happy to hear about them.
Thank you very much.

[Soarer]

Yes, it sounds like it's one of the shifts. Does either of them feel funny, or not work correctly?

The } could mean another iffy switch - how does } feel?

Removing a keycap is pretty easy on an IBM - I often use the wide screwdriver blade on a swiss army knife, since it has no sharp edges, to lever up one side while holding the other side with my finger. The main thing is to try and pull it fairly straight upwards, and under control.

Don't worry, we'll help you along... there's an animation on this page which will give you an idea of what's inside each switch.

Don't worry about the bolt mod just yet. I'd say open the case and visually check the rivets, but unfortunately the Model M case can't be opened with a regular socket, because they are too wide - a nut-driver works well (5.5mm).

[Soarer]

Forgot to say... when replacing the keycap, tip the keyboard so it's facing away from you a bit, maybe 45 degrees or more. That gets the spring resting in about the right position to replace the keycap.

And maybe practice on a normal key (i.e. single width) before trying the shifts.

[fohat.digs]

You can also make one of these in a couple of minutes with 2 large paper clips.

[pierfranco]

Hello again,
I followed your instructions and removed some keycaps, starting with the shift ones.
When I put them on and started typing again it seemed all ok, but it didn't last long. The good side of things is that now I got more insight about the keyboard and some more informations about the problem. When I run in this issue the following things happen, the letters suddenly become upper case I cannot write M using the left shift, but if I press twice the right shift the letters become lower case again.
Any ideas?

[pierfranco]

I forgot to mention that the issue with the } is no more present.

[Soarer]

Indeed, you are learning things that you hadn't intended! Another one seems to be that your Model M can't process 'm' while both shifts are held down - I think that's normal

So, there is progress, and it's now just the right shift being problematic Sometimes it can take a few tries to get the spring and keycap 'just right', especially with the larger keys, so maybe it will come right with another try (or few). If not, it's worth trying the keyboard without the right shift key fitted, perhaps with the keyboard at an angle so the spring falls towards the back of its hole, to check that it is just something up with the spring / keycap.

[pierfranco]

Hi again,
I had been rather busy and for this reason I didn't reply until now, but I can say that after a week of typing the keyboard works well. After a few tries I got the right shift keycap right and now everything is fine. Thank you for your precious help, without it I would not be able to repair my model m. I already feel part of this community.
See you.

[Soarer]

Excellent! Thanks for reporting back