Author Topic: Filco shuts of computer.  (Read 2484 times)

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Offline Johan

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Filco shuts of computer.
« on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 08:40:03 »
Sorry if this is the wrong place, If someone would move it I would appreciate it.

So today I came home from school, started my pc, browsed the web for a bit and then It randomly shut off. I restarted the computer ran malware bytes and it didn't find anything and everything seems normal. I then start typing a little and it shuts off again. After that I start it again, this time it wont let me type in the password without shutting off. I restart everything, and now it doesn't want to find any hard-drives. I unplug the keyboard and everything is fine.
I then start the computer get inside windows, and then plug it in. It shuts off.
I've tried a different keyboard, using the same filco with usb rather than ps/2 and tried a different cable(using tex case.) And it seems like the filco is causing this. The keyboard was involved in a heavy spill and left unattended(lent it to my sisters boyfriend, he didn't even realize that he spilled the coke, even left it plugged in.) Leading to two of the switches needing replacement, which I replaced. Worked flawlessly after that.
Funny part is that It works with a laptop without issues.
So my questions are, WTH is wrong with my keyboard? and can I fix it?
Uh, stuff.

Offline JPG

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 08:47:39 »
Sorry if this is the wrong place, If someone would move it I would appreciate it.

So today I came home from school, started my pc, browsed the web for a bit and then It randomly shut off. I restarted the computer ran malware bytes and it didn't find anything and everything seems normal. I then start typing a little and it shuts off again. After that I start it again, this time it wont let me type in the password without shutting off. I restart everything, and now it doesn't want to find any hard-drives. I unplug the keyboard and everything is fine.
I then start the computer get inside windows, and then plug it in. It shuts off.
I've tried a different keyboard, using the same filco with usb rather than ps/2 and tried a different cable(using tex case.) And it seems like the filco is causing this. The keyboard was involved in a heavy spill and left unattended(lent it to my sisters boyfriend, he didn't even realize that he spilled the coke, even left it plugged in.) Leading to two of the switches needing replacement, which I replaced. Worked flawlessly after that.
Funny part is that It works with a laptop without issues.
So my questions are, WTH is wrong with my keyboard? and can I fix it?


I am no expert, but I know the Filco camo has a media key for shutdown and/or sleep. I don't know which key was messed up, but maybe something is causing this key to go wrong. But the key requires the function key to be used, so there's not much chance it's this.


It could also be that the spilled coke got on the controller and is causing bad things sent to the computer. One thing you could try is to start your computer, start a tool to read the signal sent to the computer (I only know HID listen for Soarer converter, but there has to be others, maybe the aqua key thing can do it) and then plug your Filco to see what is sent to the computer to try to determine what the problem is.


I hope someone else gives you better tips, but it's a start.
IBM F122, IBM XT F X2, IBM AT F (all Soarer converted), Filco Camo TKL Browns

Offline Johan

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  • Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 08:54:43 »
Sorry if this is the wrong place, If someone would move it I would appreciate it.

So today I came home from school, started my pc, browsed the web for a bit and then It randomly shut off. I restarted the computer ran malware bytes and it didn't find anything and everything seems normal. I then start typing a little and it shuts off again. After that I start it again, this time it wont let me type in the password without shutting off. I restart everything, and now it doesn't want to find any hard-drives. I unplug the keyboard and everything is fine.
I then start the computer get inside windows, and then plug it in. It shuts off.
I've tried a different keyboard, using the same filco with usb rather than ps/2 and tried a different cable(using tex case.) And it seems like the filco is causing this. The keyboard was involved in a heavy spill and left unattended(lent it to my sisters boyfriend, he didn't even realize that he spilled the coke, even left it plugged in.) Leading to two of the switches needing replacement, which I replaced. Worked flawlessly after that.
Funny part is that It works with a laptop without issues.
So my questions are, WTH is wrong with my keyboard? and can I fix it?


I am no expert, but I know the Filco camo has a media key for shutdown and/or sleep. I don't know which key was messed up, but maybe something is causing this key to go wrong. But the key requires the function key to be used, so there's not much chance it's this.


It could also be that the spilled coke got on the controller and is causing bad things sent to the computer. One thing you could try is to start your computer, start a tool to read the signal sent to the computer (I only know HID listen for Soarer converter, but there has to be others, maybe the aqua key thing can do it) and then plug your Filco to see what is sent to the computer to try to determine what the problem is.


I hope someone else gives you better tips, but it's a start.
Thanks for the help, The troubled keys were the right ctrl key and the spacebar.
The Filco is a regular non-camo version, so I don't have any media keys.
When switching the case I took my time to clean the pcb with Isopropyl alcohol, The controller seemed to be spared and the majority of the pcb had been spared.

Oddly enough it seems to be working now. I don't even understand how...
Uh, stuff.

Offline Data

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 08:54:49 »
I wouldn't use it until I could get a volt meter on it to check for shorts.  It sounds like it's causing an overvoltage condition on your USB port and the PSU is shutting everything off to prevent damage.  If you keep plugging it back in it's going to break more than just the keyboard.

That's just a guess.  I'd have to see it happening to troubleshoot beyond that.

Offline Johan

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 09:11:37 »

I wouldn't use it until I could get a volt meter on it to check for shorts.  It sounds like it's causing an overvoltage condition on your USB port and the PSU is shutting everything off to prevent damage.  If you keep plugging it back in it's going to break more than just the keyboard.

That's just a guess.  I'd have to see it happening to troubleshoot beyond that.
Thank you for the great advice, I unplugged it as soon as I read your post. I think we have one of those laying around, I'll have test it.
Uh, stuff.

Offline Novus

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 13:53:23 »
Have you gotten this error before: USB device over current status detected. System will shut down in 15 seconds?

Offline Johan

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 04 September 2014, 15:23:34 »
Have you gotten this error before: USB device over current status detected. System will shut down in 15 seconds?

Not that I know of, It might have happened but not today at least.
Uh, stuff.

Offline Johan

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 08 September 2014, 10:08:31 »
I started using the keyboard again on friday, It worked flawlessly until today. It just boots me out of windows. Its not like like a bluescreen or anything similar. "Windows is shutting down" pops up and then it turns off.
I haven't voltage tested it yet. I tried it on a different pc which didn't work as it didn't want to install the windows drivers.
Any ideas as to what it can be?
Uh, stuff.

Offline blackbox

  • Posts: 725
Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 08 September 2014, 14:21:05 »
I started using the keyboard again on friday, It worked flawlessly until today. It just boots me out of windows. Its not like like a bluescreen or anything similar. "Windows is shutting down" pops up and then it turns off.
I haven't voltage tested it yet. I tried it on a different pc which didn't work as it didn't want to install the windows drivers.
Any ideas as to what it can be?
If there is nothing unusual when you use the voltagemeter I would try to replace the controller. You can get a replacement controller here:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46700.0
Keyboards: Dell AT102W (matias standard clicky), Maltron two-hand 3D fully ergonomic keyboard (Vintage MX Black). CM QF XT (MX Grey) IBM model M

The LAN table!
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62536.0

Offline Johan

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  • Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 08 September 2014, 15:07:32 »
I started using the keyboard again on friday, It worked flawlessly until today. It just boots me out of windows. Its not like like a bluescreen or anything similar. "Windows is shutting down" pops up and then it turns off.
I haven't voltage tested it yet. I tried it on a different pc which didn't work as it didn't want to install the windows drivers.
Any ideas as to what it can be?
If there is nothing unusual when you use the voltagemeter I would try to replace the controller. You can get a replacement controller here:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=46700.0

I've found a voltagemeter, but I don't know what parts to use it on/how to use it, do use it on the cases usb port?
Uh, stuff.

Offline Johan

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 08 September 2014, 15:47:37 »
Tomorrow I'll disassemble the case to try the stock internal usb cable to test if thats the issue, but I wont be surprised if blackbox is right and I need a new controller.
Uh, stuff.

Offline Johan

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 09 September 2014, 04:18:28 »
And now it started to work again. I don't mind not messing up but If it could be consistent that would be lovely...
NOPE,  Shut off my laptop after it apparently hit ctrl+f and searched for TY456¨. Is this thing cursed?
« Last Edit: Tue, 09 September 2014, 05:20:00 by Johan »
Uh, stuff.

Offline blackbox

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Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 09 September 2014, 06:32:43 »
And now it started to work again. I don't mind not messing up but If it could be consistent that would be lovely...
NOPE,  Shut off my laptop after it apparently hit ctrl+f and searched for TY456¨. Is this thing cursed?

Maybe the controller is? Well se how it goes when you disassemble it and use the voltage meter.
Keyboards: Dell AT102W (matias standard clicky), Maltron two-hand 3D fully ergonomic keyboard (Vintage MX Black). CM QF XT (MX Grey) IBM model M

The LAN table!
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62536.0

Offline Johan

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  • Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Re: Filco shuts of computer.
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 09 September 2014, 07:27:12 »
I've disassembled the case and put in the stock cable(HOLY**** THOSES CONNECTORS ARE HARD). I forgot where I put the multimeter though, but I'm still a little confused as to what to do when I find it, do I just put the two points on random places?
I've plugged the keyboard into an old laptop which I need to get rid of, just to see if it was the case's female connector.
Uh, stuff.