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Author Topic: My KBT RACE is acting funky  (Read 3348 times)

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Offline xquisit

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My KBT RACE is acting funky
« on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 17:33:07 »

I really like my first and only mechanical keyboard (thanks to iMav for forming that group buy in late 2011) and was wondering if I should replace it because it is starting to act funky:

The "Q" button does not work at times, and when I unplug the keyboard and plug it back in it spams the "Q" button even though it seems to be in it's normal position; Furthermore, when the issue seems to worsen the keys surrounding my Q key are also not working.  I have cleaned the keyboard thoroughly (to my novice knowledge), and seem to have the same issue. I am using the keyboard now and it seems to be fine, but I do know it's probably working on chance.  Either way, I was wondering what would cause such a catastrophe to my daily usage of my computer.

Thanks in advance.
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Offline hwood34

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 17:43:03 »
Have you checked to see if it's not a problem with the soldering?
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 19:06:47 »
hwood34, I appreciate the quick response.

I don't know how to solder, maybe it's time to use my:
http://www.google.com/shopping/product/17564233905201558603?lsf=seller:6136318,store:1358544555752304294&prds=oid:14791938456376066170&hl=en&gclid=CjwKEAjwwo2iBRCurdSQy9y8xWcSJABrrLiSJ5n_he-8W0Fqvf7vrzpvQlm-8BE8OJblKs427IlnCxoCQC7w_wcB

Unfortunately, I broke my cell-phone so I won't be able to snap pictures of the PCB and ask for someone to spot the soldering.

Woah, I just turned on the backlit LED function (by pressing Fn+Z) and my keyboard went insane (started spamming "q" in this chat log....). It looks like I have to use my keyboard with the backlit function turned off and see if this problem persists.
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 19:08:37 »
Ah backlit.

Is it the one with metal case? take it out of the case and try. I suspect there's a short or grounding issue.
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Offline RickyJ

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 20:10:39 »
^ +1

If other keys are acting up at the same time, it'll be something going wrong with that part of the matrix.  Open or short circuit, but the description sounds like a short if the backlighting is part of it.

One of the switches in my Race was only registering sometimes, when I removed it I found that one of the switch legs had been bent over and didn't get soldered.  This wouldn't have affected the rest of the matrix though.
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 20:12:42 »
Quote from: dorkvader on Sun, 19 October 2014, 19:08:37
Ah backlit.

Is it the one with metal case? take it out of the case and try. I suspect there's a short or grounding issue.

I wish I had a metal case, no funding for that.

Quote from: dorkvader on Sun, 19 October 2014, 19:08:37
Ah backlit.

Is it the one with metal case? take it out of the case and try. I suspect there's a short or grounding issue.

When you say open the switch, does that mean I have to remove the black rectangular object that is holding the cherry-blue MX switch?


Quote from: RickyJ on Sun, 19 October 2014, 20:10:39
^ +1


If other keys are acting up at the same time, it'll be something going wrong with that part of the matrix.  Open or short circuit, but the description sounds like a short if the backlighting is part of it.

One of the switches in my Race was only registering sometimes, when I removed it I found that one of the switch legs had been bent over and didn't get soldered.  This wouldn't have affected the rest of the matrix though.


By the way, I'm extremely thankful for the responses because I really like this keyboard and can't imagine spending $20 for shipping and another $150 for a new version .
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Offline dorkvader

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 20:57:35 »
You might eventually have to desolder the switch, but here's what I meant.

I wanted you to take the keyboard out of the case and then see if it's having the issue. It's probably not a short since it's a plastic case though.

To take it you, just take the screws out. You will have to remove some of the keycaps though.

it's an easy thing to try, so that's why I recommended it.

Also, see if you can grab a camera. If taking the case away doesn't change things, the next question is going to be for a picture of the PCB where the switch is. That way we can look for anything.
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #7 on: Sun, 19 October 2014, 21:13:28 »
I'm very thankful for your response, let me go ahead and snap a picture with a friend's phone (It'll be up tomorrow).

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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 22 November 2014, 18:13:53 »


Sorry for the late response, but I finally snapped pictures of the key and a close-up of the PCB (don't mind the dirty key caps, please).




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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 27 November 2014, 17:20:13 »
Bump,

The Q key works today, but the computer has been off for once in two months for about twenty-four hours.

What could be the possible reason for this key failure, is it because I use "Q" quite often? Do I smash it the most out of my other keys?

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Offline FrostyToast

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 27 November 2014, 17:23:24 »
Pictures of the back of the PCB are what is necessary. That is where the funkiness would likely happen.
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Offline berserkfan

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #11 on: Thu, 27 November 2014, 23:19:21 »
Quote from: FrostyToast on Thu, 27 November 2014, 17:23:24
Pictures of the back of the PCB are what is necessary. That is where the funkiness would likely happen.

Did you spill anything on the keyboard?

If not, try vacuuming it. That will get rid of anything that might cause a short if no semi-dried liquids are involved.
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #12 on: Fri, 28 November 2014, 14:32:43 »
Quote from: berserkfan on Thu, 27 November 2014, 23:19:21
Quote from: FrostyToast on Thu, 27 November 2014, 17:23:24
Pictures of the back of the PCB are what is necessary. That is where the funkiness would likely happen.

My apologies, but at least I learned something new.  I will resort to this if the vacuuming does not work. For now the "Q" button works, but I will keep in touch.

Thanks for chiming in as well!

Did you spill anything on the keyboard?

If not, try vacuuming it. That will get rid of anything that might cause a short if no semi-dried liquids are involved.

Thankfully, I have been too anal about keeping fluids near my one and only mechanical keyboard I've ever owned.  So I will take your advice and start vacuuming away.

If the problem persists, I will chime back in here.



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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 29 November 2014, 16:20:58 »
Aw, man......................... The "Q" button isn't working anymore. I tried to vacuum and no luck!
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #14 on: Wed, 03 December 2014, 02:21:08 »
And now "Q" works :O

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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #15 on: Sat, 06 December 2014, 16:45:58 »
Can someone teach me what to do? I can't take it anymore...

I really like my keyboard, and I want to learn the science behind soldering a new key or finding out what's wrong for only one key not to work.

Please, I am ready to learn.
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #16 on: Sun, 14 December 2014, 05:47:45 »
bump
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Offline frosty

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #17 on: Sun, 14 December 2014, 06:32:35 »
Youtube how to solder?

Here's a really good video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdLAdci6p-w

Try reflowing the solder, if not just replace the switch.
« Last Edit: Sun, 14 December 2014, 06:34:06 by frosty »
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Offline xquisit

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Re: My KBT RACE is acting funky
« Reply #18 on: Sat, 20 December 2014, 12:44:54 »
Thank you, time to learn.

Quote from: frosty on Sun, 14 December 2014, 06:32:35
Youtube how to solder?

Here's a really good video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdLAdci6p-w

Try reflowing the solder, if not just replace the switch.

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