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Author Topic: Thoughts on fixing my Model M  (Read 2161 times)

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Offline greath

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Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:06:53 »
I picked up a model m about a month ago off craigslist for $20. Seemed to be working fine, so I decided to clean it up. I took all the keycaps off and washed them and hand dried them what I thought was thoroughly. Unfortunately the board no longer responds at all. I have completely disassembled it, separated the membranes and such, but no luck on getting it to work again. I'm thinking I killed it sadly. Anyone have any ideas for things I can try?  :'(
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:41:17 »
Did you do a bolt mod according to one of the many guides?

Are you certain that your membranes are in the correct order? (remember, the blank one with holes is the separator layer for the 2 with traces, and the rubber blanket lies against the metal plate)

Photos always help.
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Offline fanpeople

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:48:02 »
Silly question,

Are you plugging the keyboard into your computer and then turning it on? Or plugging it into your computer whilst it is already on?

Also do the LEDs light up when you power on computer and what combination, for how long?


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Offline greath

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:52:15 »
Quote from: fohat.digs on Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:41:17
Did you do a bolt mod according to one of the many guides?

Are you certain that your membranes are in the correct order? (remember, the blank one with holes is the separator layer for the 2 with traces, and the rubber blanket lies against the metal plate)

Photos always help.

I'll double check that, but I'm 90% sure I put the membranes exactly back like they were before.
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Offline greath

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:53:35 »
Quote from: fanpeople on Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:48:02
Silly question,

Are you plugging the keyboard into your computer and then turning it on? Or plugging it into your computer whilst it is already on?

Also do the LEDs light up when you power on computer and what combination, for how long?

I would restart my PC with the board plugged in (and disconnect my USB keyboard). The... I believe num lock... LED your be lit up at start up but the board was completely unresponsive.
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Offline Firebolt1914

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:54:04 »
You're saying that before you cleaned the board, it was working, right?
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Offline greath

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:55:59 »
Quote from: Firebolt1914 on Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:54:04
You're saying that before you cleaned the board, it was working, right?

Correct. I hand dried each keycap as best I could (seemed completely dry to me) and put it back together and it wouldn't respond... only the num lock led would be on at startup.
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Offline Firebolt1914

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:58:35 »
Are you using a PS/2 -> USB converter (or other) or directly to your motherboard's PS/2 input? (I'm just listing things that could've possibly went wrong, just for more info)
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Offline greath

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 18:07:09 »
Don't have a ps/2 > usb converter. Think it might help?
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Offline fanpeople

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 18:09:52 »
What condition is your cord in? any damage?
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Offline greath

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 18:16:35 »
No damage to the cord that I can make out.
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Offline chyros

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 18:32:10 »
Sounds a bit like the issue I had recently Oo .

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68257.0

Try plugging in a normal PS/2 keyboard until after Windows has fully booted up, and then swapping it for the Model M. See if that makes it work.
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Offline fanpeople

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 07 February 2015, 18:36:09 »
I'm not expert in these keyboards, but if I were you (and I am not saying to do this but this would be my next step) I would plug the controller into the computer (out of the keyboard) and then use a jumper cable to try and get a response. If I got a response at least then the problem is most likely narrowed to the membrane/hammer area. I would also try cleaning the contacts on the SDL plug and checking the pins on the PS/2 end. You could try cleaning the contacts on the membrane that plug into the controller. Pull it apart and put it back together.

But as I said I would be willing to do this with my own stuff, not another persons. There might be a simple solution as there always seems to be, my CD player wasn't turning off when I opened the door in my car and I thought dam there is something wrong with the wiring and it was going to be a nightmare. I ended up Isolating the problem to the switch that the door makes contact with when you open/close simple failure easy fix.

These are just the steps that I would take, someone with knowledge can hopefully help.

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Offline arakula

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #13 on: Sun, 08 February 2015, 01:04:34 »
Quote from: greath on Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:06:53
I took all the keycaps off and washed them and hand dried them what I thought was thoroughly. Unfortunately the board no longer responds at all.
Think. Was "taking off the keycaps" really all you did? Because that wouldn't really change anything.
The only real change in this case would be that you unplugged the keyboard, and presumably moved it to another place, then re-plugged it later - i.e., it might be a broken cable. Your lack of getting any response out of the thing would support that, too.
If you got a continuity tester, or multimeter, I'd suggest testing the cable as the next step.
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Offline 1391406

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #14 on: Sun, 08 February 2015, 05:27:57 »
Have you tried the board on another PC?
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Offline greath

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Re: Thoughts on fixing my Model M
« Reply #15 on: Sun, 08 February 2015, 09:24:07 »
Quote from: arakula on Sun, 08 February 2015, 01:04:34
Quote from: greath on Sat, 07 February 2015, 17:06:53
I took all the keycaps off and washed them and hand dried them what I thought was thoroughly. Unfortunately the board no longer responds at all.
Think. Was "taking off the keycaps" really all you did? Because that wouldn't really change anything.
The only real change in this case would be that you unplugged the keyboard, and presumably moved it to another place, then re-plugged it later - i.e., it might be a broken cable. Your lack of getting any response out of the thing would support that, too.
If you got a continuity tester, or multimeter, I'd suggest testing the cable as the next step.

I did wipe the cable down, and in doing so straightened it out a bit. Just checked the cable with a multi-meter. Couple of the prongs seem to not connect between connectors. Think we have a winner! Thanks. I'll finish a bolt mod now and order a cable and HOPEFULLY I'll have a working model m again soon :) Thanks!
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