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Author Topic: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...  (Read 1790 times)

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Offline Cherry1990

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Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 17:04:06 »
I have a very strange problem with my IBM Model M keyboard:

1) The "0/Ins" key from numeric pad doesn't work correctly. If I press it, it still pressed.
2) If I replace the "0/Ins" key with the "Backspace" key, it works perfectly.
3) If I put the "0/Ins" key instead the "Backspace" key, it works perfectly.

The problem is that the "0/Ins" key does NOT work in its place... But it works as "Backspace" and the "Backspace"
works in the numeric pad!

I checked both keys, side by side and they seem the same, except for the color and legend...

I am going insane...

Thank you for the help! :(
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 17:09:51 »
I had a somewhat similar problem once that originated in a bad plastic barrel insert.

The problem went away when I replaced it.

My answer, based on reasoning rather than science, was that the key-to-stabilizer tolerances were off just a tiny bit. My guess was that the one insert was just a bit too tight.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline dorkvader

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 17:35:16 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 16 November 2014, 17:09:51
I had a somewhat similar problem once that originated in a bad plastic barrel insert.

The problem went away when I replaced it.

My answer, based on reasoning rather than science, was that the key-to-stabilizer tolerances were off just a tiny bit. My guess was that the one insert was just a bit too tight.


You can also try removing the insert, rotating it 180 degrees and reinserting it. The horizontally stabilized keycap inserts this will work with. Do not put a vertically stabilized keycap insert in upside-down.
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Offline Cherry1990

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #3 on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 18:04:30 »
But why the "Backspace" key works correctly, if the stabilizer is not good? If the stabilizer is not good for "0/Ins", must be wrong also for "Backspace" or not?
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 18:12:28 »
Are these all-original parts that stopped working properly, or is something new in place?

There are very tight tolerances and the keys or inserts may not have been manufactured exactly the same.

Also, when removing barrel inserts, be careful not to scratch the interior walls of the cavity. I recommend 2 methods: (1) use a very sharp stiff pin to lever it out from the top, using the top of the chimney as a fulcrum, or (2) make a tiny hook in the end of a paper clip and pull it up from the bottom.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline Cherry1990

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 18:36:40 »
Thank you to all! You were right: the stabilizer inside the chimney was probably a bit tilted. Now it works well (or not too bad). Strange that with Backspace it was ok, probably different tollerance...
All parts are original.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #6 on: Sun, 16 November 2014, 22:57:50 »
Is there is wiki page somewhere with all these little tips and tricks for the Model M?
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 17 November 2014, 07:53:08 »
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 16 November 2014, 22:57:50
Is there is wiki page somewhere with all these little tips and tricks for the Model M?

No, but that is probably a good idea. I may have some time over the Thanksgiving break, but anybody else feel free to leap in ahead of me!
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline 0100010

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Re: Very strange problem with "0/Ins" key on my IBM Model M keyboard...
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 17 November 2014, 08:37:25 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Mon, 17 November 2014, 07:53:08
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 16 November 2014, 22:57:50
Is there is wiki page somewhere with all these little tips and tricks for the Model M?

No, but that is probably a good idea. I may have some time over the Thanksgiving break, but anybody else feel free to leap in ahead of me!

That IS a good idea actually.  Though - I am not an expert, can only contribute the little I have gathered from my own experience.
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