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Author Topic: The M key on my M won't click.  (Read 2679 times)

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Offline Menisk

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The M key on my M won't click.
« on: Sat, 28 March 2009, 22:55:34 »
This has been a problem for me since I first inherited my Model M. The M key has never clicked. It requires the same force as the rest of the keys and doesn't seem to bother me too much but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to fix it. I've tried switching springs and keys with other keys that I know click and the M key still won't click however the other still clicks with the M key's spring.
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Offline ozar

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 28 March 2009, 23:20:49 »
That's strange.  Are you not even able to feel the spring when it buckles?
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Offline wheel83

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 00:06:53 »
that is odd indeed.  keep us updated.
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I <3 BS

Offline Menisk

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 00:33:38 »
Quote from: ozar;25952
That's strange.  Are you not even able to feel the spring when it buckles?

It just feels completely linear. Same pressure the whole way down, never clicks. I have a few other keys that do it. The M is just annoying as I use it all the time.
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Offline iMav

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 01:19:34 »
Typically, a simple reseating of the key will take care of it.  But since you've indicated you've swapped out springs, I don't know what to tell you.

I AM curious as to how you've managed to swap springs though.  If you pulled a spring off the BS assembly from the top, I think it would be a non-trivial task to reseat it on the BS assembly. (I've never attempted it myself, so I could be wrong)
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Offline bhtooefr

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 01:25:21 »
It's not reinstalling the spring that's a problem (just put something round around it, and put something in the middle to jam it down onto the post.)

It's removing it that's a problem, and I don't think I've ever done it without damaging the spring. The Esc key in my 1391401 buckles way early and without much force because it has a damaged spring in there... I've gotta try it again, with yet another spring from my donor board.
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Offline Menisk

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 03:30:05 »
I'm now wondering if it's the assembly under the key that's broken because it's started acting as if the M key is completely jammed down.
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Offline MANISH7

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 08:51:23 »
Quote from: bhtooefr;25972
The Esc key in my 1391401 buckles way early and without much force


out of curiosity, does your escape key still retain its tactile feel and audible click?
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Offline bhtooefr

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #8 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 11:41:31 »
Yes, but much subdued.
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Offline ecru

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #9 on: Sun, 29 March 2009, 15:51:15 »
Quote from: ecru;4052
Unfortunately my 7 week old Unicomp 42H1292U has just got jealous of my wandering eyes.  The q (' on dvorak map) key still feels and sounds the same however contact point has sunk to right at the end of the stroke and occasionally you need to wiggle it to register - not like the other keys where the contact point is around the click.

I have removed the key stem and compared it to others.  Also tried swapping stems to no avail.  The spring sitting in the board visually appears the same.  I can see no debris or any difference where the stem operates.

The solution was to hold the keyboard vertically and firmly rap it's front edge onto a hard surface a few times to reseat the hammer.

I know the symptoms are completely different to your issue, but perhaps there is an issue with the 'hammer' on your m key preventing the spring from buckling as usual?  Sorry I can't be of more help.
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Offline Menisk

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The M key on my M won't click.
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 30 March 2009, 20:48:55 »
Quote from: ecru;26062
The solution was to hold the keyboard vertically and firmly rap it's front edge onto a hard surface a few times to reseat the hammer.

I know the symptoms are completely different to your issue, but perhaps there is an issue with the 'hammer' on your m key preventing the spring from buckling as usual?  Sorry I can't be of more help.


I'll give it a shot. Might work. Thanks for the help.
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