Cleaning Apple Extended Keyboard (m0115)

[feekh]

I got myself an apple extended keyboard for like $10 + shipped.
Keyboard looks allright, but some keys sometimes 'hang'.

I opened up the thing, and examined the keys. I'm wondering if I can remove these switches:









I'm wondering if those switches are soldered onto the PCB, or not..
Looks like this guy just got the whole switch out of the board.. but If those pins are soldered to the PCB, I wouldn't just yank them out..

[BlueBär]

I opened up the thing, and examined the keys. I'm wondering if I can remove these switches...
I'm wondering if those switches are soldered onto the PCB, or not..
Looks like this guy just got the whole switch out of the board.. but If those pins are soldered to the PCB, I wouldn't just yank them out..

The switches are soldered to the PCB. Do you see that solder on the switch connectors (two for each key)? Yeah that means they're soldered
You can remove the switches from the PCB, but I would really recommend not just ripping them out with force, but to desolder them carefully. Or even better, since Alps can be opened without desoldering them form the PCB do that instead, and then check the switch insides for dirt. Take a look at this.

[feekh]

ah, thanks mate!

Spend some hours to clean the whole keyboard, opened up all the switches and removed the dust. The board now types like its new!
Not a bad deal for 10$.. The most expensive thing was the iMate adapter..