Author Topic: broken unicomp customizer (Read 1787 times)

eggbert · « **on:** Sun, 25 December 2011, 22:10:17 »

Hi,

My beloved Unicomp Customizer has apparently bit the dust. Well, it is not completely dead, but a patch of keys have simply stopped working.

4, 5, r, t, f, g, v, b are dead as a door nail.

I'm guessing something on the circuit board probably died. It's of June 2010 vintage, so I doubt the Unicomp fellows could do much to help me. Since it is a certain block of keys, maybe a bad solder somewhere?

Anyway, just wondering if anyone has any tips or ideas. I love that keyboard and hate to pitch it!

SmallFry · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 25 December 2011, 22:47:45 »

Email Chuck (I think that's his name). He is one of the BEST customer support people ever. You and he will most likely be able to figure a solution. :smile:

eggbert · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 26 December 2011, 00:13:19 »

Ah interesting, lose/corroded connector maybe... hmm perhaps there is hope for my unicomp yet. Thanks, will give it a try once I pick up a 5.5 mm hex driver!

eggbert · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:03:32 »

Well, I've opened the keyboard and and tried cleaning the contacts between the connector from the USB cable, and I've also tried pulling out the pcb and cleaning the contacts between the pcb and the mylar film thingy without any luck. Same keys are still dead.

How durable are those mylar sheets? Seems pretty flimsy, and I am surprised it works as well as it does.

Anyway I am guessing this keyboard is toast, unless anyone has any further ideas.

jkercado · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:08:37 »

What color is it? I think the time has come for you to turn it into a parts machine. Maybe get a cheap Model M and start mixing and matching stuff.

After I convert my Model M to USB, I think I'll order a set of blank ivory keycaps from Unicomp and turn it into a ghost Otaku. :becky:

eggbert · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:12:30 »

It's the black/dark gray model they sell. So bummed, loved that board!

jkercado · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:16:32 »

Quote from: eggbert;478573

It's the black/dark gray model they sell. So bummed, loved that board!

Damn, that sucks. How long have you had it? I thought they were pretty much bulletproof.

eggbert · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:21:50 »

Got it in June 2010. So it's not even that old. Never spilled anything in it. Other than the usual amount of gunk inside, it was in pretty good shape. Oh well.

jkercado · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:26:59 »

Quote from: eggbert;478577

Got it in June 2010. So it's not even that old. Never spilled anything in it. Other than the usual amount of gunk inside, it was in pretty good shape. Oh well.

A year and a half? I'd contact Unicomp, just in case. That's too soon a death. You did open it, though...Did it have any sort of sealing stickers?

eggbert · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:30:15 »

Nope no stickers. Warranty had expired anyway. Might contact unicomp just to see what they say. Don't figure they can do much though.

jkercado · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 16:46:56 »

It might be worth a try...Only thing you'll lose is the minutes in the call. :nod:

jkercado · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 27 December 2011, 18:13:33 »

Quote from: ripster;478605

They can fix for $35. They just swap in a new main board assembly.

I think that's definitely worth it.

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Author Topic: broken unicomp customizer (Read 1787 times)