Author Topic: Filco issues looking for help  (Read 2056 times)

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Offline grisvok

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  • Posts: 3
Filco issues looking for help
« on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 14:37:38 »
I just recieved my Filco Majestouch 2 with Cherry MX blues from keyboardco. Ive had it for 2 days now and this morning when I was browsing the net, it died on me. I wasnt even typing when it died. I just noticed the capslock light shut off and when I tried to use the keyboard it wouldnt respond. Im using a mac if that makes a difference, i plugged the board into my windows laptop and it wasnt working there either. Tried restarting both comps, etc. I have it sitting next to me now and it flashed once and worked for about 5 seconds. Im waiting for a reply to the email I sent keyboardco but I was wondering if maybe i had done something stupid or if this problem happens often? Im a little frustrated because ive read nothing but glowing reviews of these keyboards.

Offline iamtwon

  • Posts: 11
  • Location: Nashville, TN
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 14:43:43 »
Keyboardco is cool, they'll hook you up, no worries. That sucks that you got a dud. Were you on PS2 into PC?
Sold: 6Gv2 Blacks, Filco 2 104 Browns, Leopold Tenkeyless Blues, Topre 87UB 55g

Have: Filco 2 Tenkeyless Blues, Topre 87UB 45g

Offline grisvok

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Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 14:47:00 »
Using usb for both.

Offline bluecar5556

  • Posts: 126
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 19:31:34 »
You might want to test and see if you are getting 5V and GND from the usb cable terminating at the keyboard controller even though it's brand new, that is, when it can't be returned because opening it could void your warranty.  You just never know...

Offline prd

  • Posts: 33
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 19:43:39 »
I got one from the same batch. Still works and it has no ping.

Offline grisvok

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Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 20:04:36 »
How would I test that? And do you mean that testing it would require voiding the warranty? As an update, the board continues to flicker on and off every few hours. Its just sitting beside me plugged in.

Offline bluecar5556

  • Posts: 126
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 21:41:27 »


This schematic was for something else so ignore the red X'ed out stuff.  Taking your keyboard apart with likely a philips screwdriver will void your warranty.  Using a multimeter on the Volts DC setting as shown by the red arrow, see if you read 5 volts DC.

At this point, unplug the keyboard from your computer and switch your multimeter to the "ohm/continuity/speaker symbol," the test leads should be attached in a way that does not require you to hold them with both hands so you have a free hand to perform a "wiggle test" such as using a female usb cable cut in half plugged in the end of the keyboard usb cable.  An alligator clip can be used for this purpose on a test lead.  Now you will be testing the 5V wire in series and then test the GND wire the same way from the keyboard controller to the keyboard's usb connector.  Wiggle the keyboards usb cable, especially where it terminates to the USB plug and into the keyboard.  To make things easier, use the "speaker symbol, beeper" setting which is ohms but with the buzzer to audibly alert you without looking over at the MM.

Offline Finax

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Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 21:42:31 »
How can you tell which batch you got from?

Offline bluecar5556

  • Posts: 126
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 06 August 2011, 22:18:07 »
Sometimes the batch can be deciphered using the keyboard's serial number, using a range (ex. 49000 to 58300) from the manufacturer.

woody

  •  Guest
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 07 August 2011, 00:33:32 »
Quote from: ripster;394468
How would you tell what batch the Cherry Corp Switch came from?  Chatter is a switch issue.

Kinda like the size of the stem.  Or Ping.
True. Even rough shipping may be the cause for some of the reported defects. Like the Filco case that is fixed by a twist.

What I am wondering is how probable it is for "backdoor" Cherry Switches (i.e. manufactured extra in the fab without owner's intent, or just failed QA) to exist? Especially for keyboards sourced from Asia.

Offline bluecar5556

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Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 07 August 2011, 00:52:33 »
Quote from: ripster;394468
How would you tell what batch the Cherry Corp Switch came from?  Chatter is a switch issue.

Kinda like the size of the stem.  Or Ping.
Very good point, I stand corrected.  ;)

Offline prd

  • Posts: 33
Filco issues looking for help
« Reply #11 on: Sun, 07 August 2011, 01:17:34 »
Quote from: Finax;394434
How can you tell which batch you got from?

I can't.