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Mac Forum / General / General / May 2008Cleaned Keyboard--Now Some Keys Won't Work
I spilled some tea on my iMac keyboard earlier this evening. I removed some of the keys and removed the bottom cover to clean it. I then put it back together but now I find that some of the keys don't work (the diagonal which includes the - [ ' and right-hand Shift). I don't believe that any of the tea touched was spilled on those keys, so I'm wondering if, while I was cleaning the keyboard, I may have either disconnected something or broken a lead. Any suggestions, others than replacing the whole keyboard, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. > I spilled some tea on my iMac keyboard earlier this evening. I removed > some of the keys and removed the bottom cover to clean it. I then put it [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Any suggestions, others than replacing the whole keyboard, would be > greatly appreciated. Thank you. Back in "Ye Olden Tymes" My prized Litronix calculator (anyone remember those) slipped out of my shirt pocket and went right into the toilet. Luckily I worked at an electronics company, so I took the soggy thing into the lab, took it apart, and dried it thoroughly with the heat gun. After that I was not only more careful around water, but the calculator kept working for years to come. Maybe there's still some moisture hidden inside your keyboard. Try taking it apart again and going over it with a heat gun or hair dryer. Lacking those, leaving it out in the Sun for awhile might work as well. If all else fails, new keyboards aren't very expensive.  Signatureschram@webenet.net is a filtered spam magnet. Email replies may get lost. Try <http://public.xdi.org/=chris.schram> instead. ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** >> I spilled some tea on my iMac keyboard earlier this evening. I removed >> some of the keys and removed the bottom cover to clean it. I then put it [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > those, leaving it out in the Sun for awhile might work as well. If all > else fails, new keyboards aren't very expensive. Thanks for the suggestion. I found a website that describes how to fix the exact same keyboard that I've got. It describes how to take it apart. According to the instructions, there may indeed be liquid there, though I didn't see any. > I spilled some tea on my iMac keyboard earlier this evening. I removed > some of the keys and removed the bottom cover to clean it. I then put it [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Any suggestions, others than replacing the whole keyboard, would be greatly > appreciated. Thank you. I had about the same problem with a standard powermac G4 keyboard. Unfortunately, the tea was wine... It turned out that the switches are in a two-layer PET film, on which the keys are pressed. I opened the keyboard immediately after spilling, but I could not clean it before corrosion occured. I had to replace that nice designed part. Don´t ask me, which keybord is best for replacement. Actually, I use a macally icekey, which comes for a good price and has a better feeling than the original apple keyboard. >> I spilled some tea on my iMac keyboard earlier this evening. I removed >> some of the keys and removed the bottom cover to clean it. I then put it [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > macally icekey, which comes for a good price and has a better feeling > than the original apple keyboard. Thanks for the reply. I took the whole thing apart and cleaned off what tea stains I could see on the film but not only don't the keys I noted work any more but a few others don't either. I guess I'm going to have to buy another keyboard..... I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving over either to Linux or FreeBSD. [..] > > I had about the same problem with a standard powermac G4 keyboard. > > Unfortunately, the tea was wine... [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > the film but not only don't the keys I noted work any more but a few others > don't either. I guess I'm going to have to buy another keyboard..... I had a similar thing myself recently, I tried cleaning mine, and some of the cleaning fluid got into the board. I had loads of sticky keys after that. I also bought a Macally keyboard, which I find quite nice to use as well, although I liked the Apple ones too. > I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become > quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving > over either to Linux or FreeBSD. Why are you blaming their hardware when it was you that were the cause of the fault? And what's Linux or FreeBSD got to do with the quality of Apple Hardware? SignatureAndy Hewitt <http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/> > [..] >>> I had about the same problem with a standard powermac G4 keyboard. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] >> the film but not only don't the keys I noted work any more but a few others >> don't either. I guess I'm going to have to buy another keyboard..... Thanks for the reply. > I had a similar thing myself recently, I tried cleaning mine, and some > of the cleaning fluid got into the board. I had loads of sticky keys [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > of the fault? And what's Linux or FreeBSD got to do with the quality of > Apple Hardware? My disenchantment with Apple began long before last night's incident. I'm dissatisfied with the shoddiness of the hardware that it produces. I could probably build my own machine with better components and I plan on doing just that. In addition, Apple's policy regarding servicing older machines changed drastically. Anything more than five years old doesn't exist as far as the company's concerned. I have a dual-processor G4 machine on which, apparently, one of the processors malfunctioned. I can't even get spare parts for it, so I have an expensive white elephant. Now that I've worked with operating systems such as Ubuntu and FreeBSD, I see that those two are far more powerful and flexible than OS X. > Now that I've worked with operating systems such as Ubuntu and FreeBSD, I > see that those two are far more powerful and flexible than OS X. So true! For instance, with Linux, I have the flexibility to run *really* crappy window managers and video drivers if I want to! Who is Apple to tell me what I can or cannot do?! And power?? ho ho, there is so much more power there - though for the life of me, I can't figure out where it's coming from! </sarcasm> SignaturePlease send all responses to the relevant news group. E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my very hungry SPAM filter. I do not read posts from Google Groups. Use a real news reader if you want me to see your posts. JR > In addition, Apple's policy regarding servicing older machines changed > drastically. Anything more than five years old doesn't exist as far as the > company's concerned. I have a dual-processor G4 machine on which, > apparently, one of the processors malfunctioned. I can't even get spare > parts for it, so I have an expensive white elephant. You can certainly buy new processors for the G4. <http://www.google.com/products?q=G4+dual+processor+upgrade&btnG=Search+Products> <http://tw3.it/1L> <http://www.google.com/products?q=G4+processor+upgrade&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd> <http://tw3.it/1M> SignatureIt is one thing to be mistaken; it is quite another to be willfully ignorant Cecil Adams > > Why are you blaming their hardware when it was you that were the cause > > of the fault? And what's Linux or FreeBSD got to do with the quality of [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > probably build my own machine with better components and I plan on doing > just that. Being realistic, 5 years is well past sell-by-date for a technology product. I'm not surprised that Apple has taken the economic decision to cut off parts supply for a machine that is no longer manufactured, and which the processor line is no longer used. They have made, and have done in the past, a bold decision to move on, and allow newer technology to bring the best possible performance to their latest product line-up. > In addition, Apple's policy regarding servicing older machines changed > drastically. Anything more than five years old doesn't exist as far as the > company's concerned. I have a dual-processor G4 machine on which, > apparently, one of the processors malfunctioned. I can't even get spare > parts for it, so I have an expensive white elephant. Ther must be ways and means to obtain parts, even if it's ebaying for another machine - which would most likely be the cheapest way to replace the chip now anyway - it would be on a one year old PC, let alone at five years old. > Now that I've worked with operating systems such as Ubuntu and FreeBSD, I > see that those two are far more powerful and flexible than OS X. OSX is (or was) just a GUI for FreeBSD - if you use X11 you have about the saqme functionality - you can install Gnome or KDE onto the hardware you have. SignatureAndy Hewitt <http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/> > > Now that I've worked with operating systems such as Ubuntu and FreeBSD, I > > see that those two are far more powerful and flexible than OS X. > > OSX is (or was) just a GUI for FreeBSD - if you use X11 you have about > the saqme functionality - you can install Gnome or KDE onto the hardware > you have. Yes, but Ubuntu and FreeBSD are still more powerful - thy have more power. The additional power comes from the bits, you see - they are bigger bits, made from plutonium. SignatureNote: Please send all responses to the relevant news group. If you must contact me through e-mail, let me know when you send email to this address so that your email doesn't get eaten by my SPAM filter. JR >>> Why are you blaming their hardware when it was you that were the cause >>> of the fault? And what's Linux or FreeBSD got to do with the quality of [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Being realistic, 5 years is well past sell-by-date for a technology > product. Not really. A lot of amateur radio equipment is much older than five years but is still being used. I use second-hand components for my station and I'm able to put out a reasonable signal on most of the frequency bands that I work. I'm not surprised that Apple has taken the economic decision to > cut off parts supply for a machine that is no longer manufactured, and > which the processor line is no longer used. I've been using Apple machines since 1992 and the company used to provide support for their older models for several years after they ceased production. > They have made, and have done in the past, a bold decision to move on, > and allow newer technology to bring the best possible performance to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > the chip now anyway - it would be on a one year old PC, let alone at > five years old. I was told by a second-hand Mac dealer in my city that used machines are hard to come by because people tend to hang on to them. It would be nice if I could get my hands on one that's been previously owned as I could use it to make the necessary repairs. I know of places where I could get a new G4 processor but I'd prefer to have the entire motherboard. >> Now that I've worked with operating systems such as Ubuntu and FreeBSD, I >> see that those two are far more powerful and flexible than OS X. > > OSX is (or was) just a GUI for FreeBSD - if you use X11 you have about > the saqme functionality - you can install Gnome or KDE onto the hardware > you have. Actually, the underlying OS doesn't have all of FreeBSD's capabilities. I installed KDE but I wasn't happy with how it was worked on my machine. Personally, I prefer FreeBSD with Gnome as the desktop. > > Being realistic, 5 years is well past sell-by-date for a technology > > product. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I'm able to put out a reasonable signal on most of the frequency bands that > I work. For sure. You can still buy an old second hand computer and produce documents, surf the web, and play games. > I'm not surprised that Apple has taken the economic decision to > > cut off parts supply for a machine that is no longer manufactured, and > > which the processor line is no longer used. > > I've been using Apple machines since 1992 and the company used to provide > support for their older models for several years after they ceased production. As have many other companies with other products. But, such support is costly, and becomes too much of a burden. If you really want to have long term backwards support, you need a computer that uses an old 6502 chip, they still make those (my first computer was powered by one). It's a PITA for sure, but sh.t happens, and we move on. Apple still make some of the best overall hardware packages there are, and they generally work very well out of the box. Not many PC harware 'assemblers' can match that. Of course you can build your own, and use nothing but the highest quality components, but no branded box is likely to be made that way. The punters would never pay for it, so they get built to a price at some point. Even the Macs do! For their performance they are exceptionally good value for money - try and match a BTO PC to the *same spec.* as a MacPro, and see what it costs. [..] > > Ther must be ways and means to obtain parts, even if it's ebaying for > > another machine - which would most likely be the cheapest way to replace [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I know of places where I could get a new G4 processor but I'd prefer to > have the entire motherboard. Have you tried eBay? There are usually quite a few there, and I'll bet they're considerably cheaper than a new motherboard. > >> Now that I've worked with operating systems such as Ubuntu and FreeBSD, I > >> see that those two are far more powerful and flexible than OS X. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Actually, the underlying OS doesn't have all of FreeBSD's capabilities. I wouldn't expect it to. However, it does an awful lot more than FreeBSD can do on its own too. > I installed KDE but I wasn't happy with how it was worked on my machine. > Personally, I prefer FreeBSD with Gnome as the desktop. Yeah, I think I prefer Gnome too. SignatureAndy Hewitt <http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/> >> I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become >> quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > of the fault? And what's Linux or FreeBSD got to do with the quality of > Apple Hardware? Perhaps "their" keyboards are drool-proof? > >> I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become > >> quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Perhaps "their" keyboards are drool-proof? LOL SignatureAndy Hewitt <http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/> >>>> I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become >>>> quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > LOL The Ubuntu GUI's the same colour as tea, so I suppose the screens could be drool-proof. Cheers, Chris > >> Perhaps "their" keyboards are drool-proof? > > > > LOL > > The Ubuntu GUI's the same colour as tea, so I suppose the screens could > be drool-proof. I preferred to think of it as chocolate. SignatureAndy Hewitt <http://web.mac.com/andrewhewitt1/> > >> I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become > >> quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Perhaps "their" keyboards are drool-proof? Clearly, any keyboard connected to a Ubuntu or FreeBSD machine has built-in, automatic drool protection. Apple's hardware really sucks! SignatureNote: Please send all responses to the relevant news group. If you must contact me through e-mail, let me know when you send email to this address so that your email doesn't get eaten by my SPAM filter. JR > I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become > quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving > over either to Linux or FreeBSD. I know!! I dropped a MacBook Pro the other day from a height of around 7 feet and the stupid thing broke! To hell with Macs - I'm moving to Windows! ...please... SignaturePlease send all responses to the relevant news group. E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my very hungry SPAM filter. I do not read posts from Google Groups. Use a real news reader if you want me to see your posts. JR >> I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become >> quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > ...please... I have two second-hand Thinkpads with FreeBSD installed on them. The machines are rugged and the OS is well-suited to them. > I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become > quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving > over either to Linux or FreeBSD. You spilled tea on a keyboard, and you are disappointed with the hardware? Signature"We're philosophers. We think, therefore we am." > > I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become > > quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving > > over either to Linux or FreeBSD. > > You spilled tea on a keyboard, and you are disappointed with the hardware? Yes - certainly a Dell or HP keyboard would function perfectly under water!! In fact *any* Ubuntu or FreeBSD keyboard works perfectly when tea is spilt on it. SignaturePlease send all responses to the relevant news group. E-mail sent to this address may be devoured by my very hungry SPAM filter. I do not read posts from Google Groups. Use a real news reader if you want me to see your posts. JR >> > I've been an Apple owner and user since the early '90s but I've become >> > quite disenchanted with the hardware in recent years. I'm slowly moving >> > over either to Linux or FreeBSD. >> >> You spilled tea on a keyboard, and you are disappointed with the hardware? > Yes - certainly a Dell or HP keyboard would function perfectly under > water!! In fact *any* Ubuntu or FreeBSD keyboard works perfectly when > tea is spilt on it. Ah, yes, of course. Silly me. Just for the record, coffee, tea, and soda/pop/soft drinks are the killers of keyboards. They are all corrosive and, the way most people drink them, sticky. SignatureGeneralizations are always inaccurate. -Mugsy |
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