Avant Stellar

[Phil1122]

Hi,

I've used an Avant Stellar for about 15 years.  I lost the users manual years ago.  Does anyone have a copy?

I would like to know how to clean the keyboard in side and out.

thanks,
Phil

[MissMurd3r84]

I think this may be the manual.. http://dl.owneriq.net/d/d4bf7799-db98-47ee-a30f-25e7808f63ca.pdf but not a manual showing how to clean it..

[jeroplane]

The manual won't tell you how to clean it, however many people around here have had experience cleaning old boards.

Found this image on Flickr of your board taken apart:



To clean it, it would just be a matter of removing the screws and opening it up like that and carefully removing all the key caps. The case pieces (top and right in the pic) could be soaked/scrubbed with a solution of dishwasher powder. The key caps should be soaked either in the same solution (with warm water) or even better a bath of warm water with some denture cleaning tabs thrown in. The plate with switches (bottom in the pic) should be carefully dusted or airblasted.

This is a pretty non-invasive process and it should work perfectly once the case and key caps are put back together again.

[aesthetics1]

I think if you can get it apart carefully, a good dusting with a Datavac (http://www.amazon.com/Metro-Vacuum-ED500-500-Watt-Electric/dp/B001J4ZOAW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357316830&sr=8-1&keywords=datavac) would clean any lodged debris out.

As for the keycaps, I have seen a lot of people recommend soaking them in denture tablets. There is a guide somewhere on the forums here.

Remember with plastic screws when you are reassembling the board: make sure to turn them counter-clockwise first until you feel them drop into the same threads they came out of. If you just begin turning clockwise with plastic screws, you will be creating new threads and will eventually strip out the hole entirely.

Looks like that board isn't too difficult to disassemble from the photos.

Good luck!

Edit:
Compliments of DangWang:

I should really write an article on this...

1.  Go to CVS/Walgreens or something similar and buy yourself the cheapest denture tabs they have.  Usually the store brand ones.
2.  Depending on how many keycaps you want to clean, drop 1-3 tabs into a small bucket/bowl along with the keycaps.
3.  Fill up the bowl with warm water and stir until all the tabs have dissolved
4.  Wait 20-30 minutes and strain the keycaps
5.  Rinse them a few more times in just plain warm water
6.  Lay them out and wipe them with a micro fiber towel until they are semi-dry
7.  Throw them into a pillow case > tie the loose end > throw them in your dryer on low heat (delicates) for 10 minutes.
8.  Take them out, re-wipe with microfiber towel
9.  Enjoy.

[Phil1122]

Hi,

Thanks to everyone.  Great info.  I think I have enough info to do the cleaning.

Again thanks,
Phil