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Author Topic: Sick Model M  (Read 4860 times)

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Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 10:16:40 »
So a couple of weeks ago, I got my hands on a 1395100 (92G7453) Lexmark-made Model M. I tested it with my Blue Cube, and it worked, but it was dirty-- too dirty to be allowed to remain in my apartment unless it could be thoroughly cleaned. So I cleaned it, and now, 30+ Q-Tips later, when I plug it in, two of the three LEDs activate for about a second, a few random keys register (though not always the same ones), and then...nothing. When I watch in Keyboard Viewer, nothing I press elicits any reaction.

Can this be fixed? I have a hex driver, so I can open the case, but I don't have a drill, so bolt modding isn't possible.
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline czarek

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Sick Model M
« Reply #1 on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 10:21:14 »
First of all check all the connections outsize, then inside. It's possible that membrane got disconnected from the logic board.
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Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« Reply #2 on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 10:27:27 »
Okay, I checked, and the membrane is still connected. Seems connected, anyway; I mean, the bits that stick out of the keyboard part and go into the circuit board don't seem to go in any further, so that means it's connected, right?
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline bazemk1979

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Sick Model M
« Reply #3 on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 14:56:31 »
ok so membrane looks like its attached to the controller board, but just in case give it a little push maeby doesnt sit snugly in it. Also since you already removed the casings,unscrew the grounding wire and remove the the whole inner side and flip it around to check if you have broken off rivets.
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Offline 486

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Sick Model M
« Reply #4 on: Fri, 25 May 2012, 17:48:47 »
Also the connections could be tarnished. insert remove and reinsert the membranes about 4 times. I can't think of anything else.
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Offline mich

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Sick Model M
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 26 May 2012, 02:06:36 »
Capslock and scrollock always light up for a moment on these keyboards.

Are these random keys registered permanently or only for a moment? Does it happen also with disconnected membranes?
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Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 26 May 2012, 16:44:30 »
Right then...

So I fiddled with the membranes a bit, and ran it through the dry cycle of my dishwasher a few times just in case any moisture got into it during the cleaning. Now most, but not all, of the keys mainly work (I still get nothing from w, r, t, or caps lock). I say "mainly" because there seem to be some chattering issues, where pressing a key once results in more than one instance of the letter being typed. Also, when I plug it in, it writes "wtttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt" on its own. The number of "t"s varies, and eventually it stops. No letters are typed when I plug it in with the membranes disconnected. Rivets look OK; one broken one, off by the numpad where it's probably not doing any harm.

Any ideas?
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 26 May 2012, 20:44:28 »
Well, I don't have a hairdryer, and I thought using the oven might be a bit excessive.

Tried removing the affected keys and messing around with the springs a bit...no change. My latest theory is that there's some kind of residue on the membranes from the cleaning process. If so, a good rinsing with filtered water followed by a thorough drying might fix it. Maybe. We'll see.
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline slueth

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Sick Model M
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 26 May 2012, 22:46:30 »
I say put it out of its misery!
Tell us how it goes :D.
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Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 27 May 2012, 16:13:39 »
Aiee...

Now all the keys seem to be completely dead. Oh, and I managed to destroy the F9 key's spring while trying to put the keycaps back on. Also, I think I managed to either make the bottom half of the case grow, or the plate shrink, because the two don't quite fit properly anymore.

I think I'll test it again in a few days, in case, somehow, there's still some moisture inside of it messing things up, and it magically gets better when (if?) it dries. For now, though, I fear it is time to once again edit my signature so that it does not list any mechanical keyboards... :-(
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline fohat.digs

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Sick Model M
« Reply #10 on: Sun, 27 May 2012, 21:51:40 »
Take it apart and save the pieces.

A complete set of keycaps is valuable, and the cable is worth several dollars. You can't do without a Model M.

edit: I see that it does not have a separate cable, still, the keycaps are good.
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Offline 486

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Sick Model M
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 28 May 2012, 04:19:51 »
Do you have a chisel? You can still remove the steel plate and get some goodies inside (springs membranes)
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Offline 486

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Holy cow man, your'e lucky.
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 28 May 2012, 04:23:48 »
Just browsing le ebay and I came across another M (exact same model) also not working. Maybe (i'm guessing) if you could fix it then becuase you would have the parts. (i find it takes to M's to find out an issue) Only $10
http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Lexmark-Model-M-Blue-Label-Keyboard-For-Parts-or-Repair-Not-Working-/330737484118?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item4d017d8156
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Offline mich

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Sick Model M
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 28 May 2012, 04:53:51 »
Quote from: 486;601773
Just browsing le ebay and I came across another M (exact same model) also not working. Maybe (i'm guessing) if you could fix it then becuase you would have the parts. (i find it takes to M's to find out an issue)
The board you linked to most likely suffers from damaged membrane trace.
The OP has clearly damaged the membranes.
I can't see how a working unit can be assembled from these parts.

Quote from: 486;601773
Only $10
So far.
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Offline 486

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Sick Model M
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 28 May 2012, 16:49:40 »
maybe not, simply could a spring issue. Or maybe the membranes are not connected properly. I say if no one bids on it, get it. $10 for parts is pretty good for a complete keyboard. I find it hard to believe that it could be damaged.The only way i can think of damaging it would be if you opened it up and bent it and it snapped or scraped. I had 3 Model M's given to me, completly drenched and covered with ants. Cleaned it all and wash and cleaned parts and they all work perfectly. I would doubt it is damaged and is not reparable.
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Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 28 May 2012, 18:10:16 »
Hey, I didn't actually wash it in the dishwasher...only dried it there, with the "heated dry" feature. Washed it by hand.

Not, of course, that that seems to have made a difference.
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline FoxWolf1

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Sick Model M
« Reply #16 on: Sun, 03 June 2012, 13:43:42 »
So, as planned, I left it alone for a while, and now, as if by magic...it works! Even the F9 key, which I could swear I killed when the spring got bent and then ripped out, works, though it doesn't click. I haven't noticed any chattering or other issues while typing this message on it, either. And, unlike when I got it, it's now delightfully clean. I don't think it'll replace the MicroConnectors board as my daily driver, since I like having a proper Mac layout and am rather fond of the D07's switches, but I might break out the Model M sometimes if I've got an especially large amount of typing to do.

Must've just needed a lot longer to dry than I thought.
« Last Edit: Sun, 03 June 2012, 13:49:23 by FoxWolf1 »
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Oberhofer Model 1101 | PadTech Hall Effect (Prototype) | RK RC930-104 v2 | IBM Model M | Noppoo TANK | Keycool Hero 104

Offline NeeGo

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Sick Model M
« Reply #17 on: Sun, 03 June 2012, 13:57:50 »
Yup, you wouldn't believe the number of people being disappointed that their "dried" electronics doesn't work after letting it dry for only a whopping few hours to a day (I was guilty of this when I was younger).

I'm like yeah... no that's not long enough buddy.

But seriously, glad your Model M is working now!
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