Author Topic: MX8100 - taking the plunge (Read 15438 times)

Frawg · « **Reply #50 on:** Sun, 14 February 2010, 20:22:44 »

I was trying to replace the spacebar Gray, so I tried to pop the top off of the white switch. I wasn't being very careful, and I yanked the entire switch out of the board. I can slide it back in, but it's missing the conduit on the front. [edit: upon rereading thread, I guess it never came with a resistor on other boards either.)

Then, at some point, the metal bit in the spacebar switch was bent. I'm not sure if this was when I took the spacebar off (I wasn't being super careful here either) or at some later point. When I first noticed, I thought that I could just bend it back with some pliers, but that was before I read up on how these switches actually work - they seem pretty delicate once opened.

On the other hand, the rest of the keys (at least the ones without stabilizers) were very easy to take off. I did some by hand, some by paperclip, and some with a twist-tie.

In any event, when I plug it in to my computer, my computer won't post.

ak_nala · « **Reply #51 on:** Sun, 14 February 2010, 22:37:23 »

What are you going to do with all those good (if very used) switches?

Viett · « **Reply #52 on:** Mon, 15 February 2010, 11:58:50 »

I went ahead and got one. I got it for $10 by auction. One cheap cherry board!

Frawg · « **Reply #53 on:** Mon, 15 February 2010, 12:00:43 »

I made a post here
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=8867

Viett · « **Reply #54 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 17:27:51 »

I received mine today and it had two dead keys (numpad 1 and .), which I'm pretty bummed about. I already contacted the seller. Hopefully we can work things out.

Mine came with all clears. I have to say, they are a bit of work to type on, but overall they're very nice and very quiet.

Frawg · « **Reply #55 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 22:40:58 »

Blah, sorry to hear that!

Viett · « **Reply #56 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 07:48:59 »

The seller was nice enough to send me another.

I also noticed that the cheap PS/2 to USB adapter (SYBA, vendor 13ba in wiki) carries over a cheap form of fake rollover. All keys that are pressed are registered! The only caveat is that it automatically lets go of the 6 keys you have pressed already, before spitting the rest out.

j'ordos · « **Reply #57 on:** Sat, 27 February 2010, 06:55:12 »

I also got a keyboard from this seller half a year ago, clear switches all over. Unfortunately some of the keys aren't registering properly again (and it's been a while so I won't bother trying for a replacement, especially since I live in Europe. Why are all those cheap cherry boards from the US anyway, isn't cherry german??) and I'd like to know how I can reach the back of the PCB on this keyboard so I can attempt to repair it, I've got some replacement switches (blacks since I couldn't find clears). Anyone here have some information on how I should go about opening it up? What kind of screws are used on that touchpad for example?
Thanks (and sorry for somewhat hijacking the thread

)

keyb_gr · « **Reply #58 on:** Sat, 27 February 2010, 07:44:36 »

Usually Cherry boards open up in a fairly straightforward manner. There may be a few screws on the back, but other than that it's all clipped.

Is there any discernible pattern to the non-working keys? Their more recent board layouts make extensive use of the wire bridge in the switches, and as I've seen on my KB5182, one flaky solder joint can mean that several keys become intermittent under such circumstances. The switches themselves are probably OK.

j'ordos · « **Reply #59 on:** Sat, 27 February 2010, 07:57:11 »

The clips are easy enough, but there's a touchpad on this board that connects the lower part of the case with the upper part. That's the main obstacle I can spot, I'll try to post some pictures of it.

There's no pattern I think: the first key that was out (fixed now) was the ctrl key. Now the V key and the - key (numpad) are failing. And they still register but you have to press them firmly, during normal typing they miss too frequently.
edit: image of the back of the touchpad, hopefully showing the screws somewhat. Also the dirty state of the board

http://users.telenet.be/V776822/IMGP1871.JPG

keyb_gr · « **Reply #60 on:** Sat, 27 February 2010, 13:11:36 »

I think you'd have to unscrew the touchpad assembly in this case... unless you find any way of removing that ribbon cable, of course.

j'ordos · « **Reply #61 on:** Sat, 27 February 2010, 13:33:48 »

Sure but the problem is that I don't know how. The screws don't have a regular flat/cross shape so I don't know which tool to use for them.

hoggy · « **Reply #62 on:** Sat, 27 February 2010, 13:41:38 »

The screws look like they're the torx type. You should be able to pick up a set of tools to undo them quite cheaply.

j'ordos · « **Reply #63 on:** Mon, 01 March 2010, 17:11:46 »

Looks like those are indeed TORX screws, thanks! (ended up just using a flat screwdriver though) managed to repair the board for now, still waiting for the touchpad to come back to live though

mrbill · « **Reply #64 on:** Tue, 02 March 2010, 10:13:23 »

Emailed the eBay seller asking where my two keyboards were, she responded with "You should have already gotten them; I'll send replacements out today". I hope something actually shows up.

ricercar · « **Reply #65 on:** Tue, 02 March 2010, 12:21:15 »

> she responded with "You should have already gotten them; I'll send replacements out today".

I hate that. My most recent toy hasn't arrived in nearly a month and two alleged attempts. Third is going out today with tracking, allegedly.

Viett · « **Reply #66 on:** Tue, 02 March 2010, 14:24:57 »

I managed to take mine apart. There were absolutely no screws, which was lovely, and the PCB was easy to remove from the plate. The ribbon cable for the touchpad was also detachable, which made things easier.

I'm going to move some of the extra function key switches to the numpad, where my bad switches are. I wouldn't mind having a mostly functional keyboard.

Viett · « **Reply #67 on:** Wed, 03 March 2010, 16:21:39 »

The soldering job was a complete success. I moved the switches for F21-23 to the numpad to replace the bad switches (2 bad, one with a damaged contact leaf).

So now the keyboard is nice and clean and it works great! And I am still getting that replacement.

Also, I noticed that the previous owner accidentally programmed the numpad 8. I guess to solve this problem, they mapped it to the alphanumeric 8, which I found funny. It was pretty easy to reprogram using this site as reference.

Nonmouse · « **Reply #68 on:** Wed, 03 March 2010, 19:17:37 »

I'm happy with mine- they're serious bricks; good build quality all the way around.

I still haven't quite got used to the arrow/home/end/pgup/pgdn placement. I really suppose I should just reprogram them to make more sense to me. (Reprogramming the keys is very easy, using the firmware...)

Oh, and the model number on yours is just the same as on mine, so (theoretically) you should have the brown sliders...

Ooops... I guess I should've read the whole thread before replying... Both mine have brown sliders, except for the "F24" key which is white (no resister), and the spacebar which is grey.

The Model Nos are:
G80-8113-HRBUS-2 /02 (Both)
Serial Nos:
G002720 P10
G002721 P10

Wow. Sequential boards. Brothers, even.

Oh- and P.s.- waaaaay ahead of the game on the MX-8110. I got mine way back in Dec 2007.... =P

j'ordos · « **Reply #69 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 09:08:43 »

Quote from: Viett;161522

I managed to take mine apart. There were absolutely no screws, which was lovely, and the PCB was easy to remove from the plate. The ribbon cable for the touchpad was also detachable, which made things easier.

I'm going to move some of the extra function key switches to the numpad, where my bad switches are. I wouldn't mind having a mostly functional keyboard.

It is detachable?? Crap! Mind telling me how to do that for the next time I need to do some maintenance on this board? My touch pad is still not working though, either I accidentally unplugged the ribbon cable or somehow broke it.

Nonmouse · « **Reply #70 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 09:57:18 »

Quote from: j'ordos;161762

It is detachable?? Crap! Mind telling me how to do that for the next time I need to do some maintenance on this board? My touch pad is still not working though, either I accidentally unplugged the ribbon cable or somehow broke it.

The touchpad is screwed onto the top half of the case, using 4 torx screws. There's an eight lead ribbon cable that runs through a flat ferrite core that's stuck to the bottom half of the case with a piece of double-sided foam tape. One end of the cable goes in a connector on the main PCB, at the edge of a rectangular cut-out (you can see the ferrite core through it, if you just have the top half of the case removed.) The other end, of course, plugs into the touchpad.

This cable is the only thing (aside from the snap tabs) that connects to both halves of the case. If you've taken the case apart, the odds are you pulled it loose from the touchpad. It's a little tricky to plug it back in, but not too hard- take the top of the case off (there are five snap tabs each at the front and back of the case and two in the middle (12 total). Once you have the top off, you should see the ribbon cable sitting right there in the PCB cutout. To get it in the touchpad, you need to kind of "hinge" the top of the case at the front edge, like an "L", to get enough freeplay in the cable. Once you've got the cable lined up with the connector it just takes a little patience and wiggling the get it to seat in the connector.

itlnstln · « **Reply #71 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 10:01:39 »

Feeling a little blue today, nonmouse?

Nonmouse · « **Reply #72 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 10:42:38 »

Quote from: itlnstln;161767

Feeling a little blue today, nonmouse?

No, more like a little 9999ff. =P

All my really old posts were in #9999ff; I just decided to start up again. (For one thing, I think it's easier to read against the black background).

Mostly just to make my posts stand out a little, though. I figure even if they're kinda content-low, they'll at least look good... =D

itlnstln · « **Reply #73 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 10:45:52 »

Quote from: Nonmouse;161773

Mostly just to make my posts stand out a little, though. I figure even if they're kinda content-low, they'll at least look good... =D

You work in the corporate world don't you. If not, you seem to have a very good idea on how it works.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #74 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 11:23:36 »

Quote from: itlnstln;161774

You work in the corporate world don't you. If not, you seem to have a very good idea on how it works.

You'll know if he starts composing his emails in powerpoint, :biggrin:

itlnstln · « **Reply #75 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 11:26:44 »

Or if he starts using the word "opportunity" instead of "problem."

I hate that.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #76 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 11:29:45 »

Quote from: itlnstln;161781

Or if he starts using the word "opportunity" instead of "problem."

I hate that.

Or "challenge" which is a bit better. But can't say problem or anything like that, too negative. Gotta get with the program if you want to stay on the program. Although the program might suck, but the alternative sucks worse.

itlnstln · « **Reply #77 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 11:34:33 »

That's why I don't have problems. That way, I don't have to use those words. "Challenges" sucks, too, but I never use it for "problems." I only use it for real challenges.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #78 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 13:03:47 »

Quote from: itlnstln;161785

That's why I don't have problems. That way, I don't have to use those words. "Challenges" sucks, too, but I never use it for "problems." I only use it for real challenges.

People asking questions lost in confusion,
Well I tell them there's no problem,
Only solutions,
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind,
I tell them there's no hurry...
I'm just sitting here doing time

Nonmouse · « **Reply #79 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 13:56:44 »

Quote from: itlnstln;161785

That's why I don't have problems. That way, I don't have to use those words. "Challenges" sucks, too, but I never use it for "problems." I only use it for real challenges.

I think that with a little proactive thinking, we could really synergize these opportunities into positive value-added situations.

itlnstln · « **Reply #80 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 14:52:57 »

Nice. "Value-added" is another of my faves. So is "full-bright."

TexasFlood · « **Reply #81 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 15:25:30 »

Quote from: itlnstln;161814

"full-bright"

Wow, one I haven't heard, going to have to look that one up.

itlnstln · « **Reply #82 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 15:27:58 »

It just means to take an idea or plan to all-out fruition.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #83 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 15:44:38 »

Quote from: Nonmouse;161773

All my really old posts were in #9999ff; I just decided to start up again. (For one thing, I think it's easier to read against the black background).

man Light theme

Good take on "suit speak" though

fastbuck · « **Reply #84 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 16:06:40 »

I got mine today. It's white MX8100-8113LRCUS. I popped a few keys and they were all Cherry White Stem non-clicky, feel a lot stiffer than browns in Compaq MX11800.

An odd thing about this board is that it's got a serial port in the back. I tried plugging in to it a serial trackball, but it made the keyboard stop working, so I'm still trying to figure out what it's for. It's a regular RS-232 male serial port, but it's got two knobbies in the surrounding molding that stick out about 1/16" and prevent a regular serial cable from getting fully inserted.

Nonmouse · « **Reply #85 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 16:20:45 »

Quote from: fastbuck;161827

An odd thing about this board is that it's got a serial port in the back. I tried plugging in to it a serial trackball, but it made the keyboard stop working, so I'm still trying to figure out what it's for. It's a regular RS-232 male serial port, but it's got two knobbies in the surrounding molding that stick out about 1/16" and prevent a regular serial cable from getting fully inserted.

It's for a barcode reader. I think you should have another one on the right side of the deck- maybe under a dust cap?
Link

fastbuck · « **Reply #86 on:** Thu, 04 March 2010, 16:47:46 »

Quote from: Nonmouse;161829

It's for a barcode reader. I think you should have another one on the right side of the deck- maybe under a dust cap?
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/keyboards/POS/8113/index.htm

Yea, that makes sense, looks like it's for handheld bar code reader. Only one port though, there is nothing on the right side.

The_Ed · « **Reply #87 on:** Tue, 13 March 2012, 16:11:31 »

Quote from: ripster;151341

That Cherry Clear F24 still cracks me up. Maybe it was a Friday 5PM shift and they ran out of Cherry Browns?

The 8113's are just weird like that. They put a clear in the F24, and the diode NEXT to it instead of inside. You would think that this means that they would put a brown in the clear boards' F24, but they don't...

News:

Author Topic: MX8100 - taking the plunge (Read 15438 times)