Re: ot -keyboard woes



OM wrote:
2) Is it *ALL* windows, ctrl & shift keys that aren't working, or just
ones on one side?
they are nonfunctional on both sides.

...Otay, now we're getting somewhere. This sounds more like the KB
controller's gotten zapped somehow, possibly from an ESD while
cleaning. These controllers are usually pretty robust WRT resisting
ESD, after all, even moreso than the mouse or the USB vibrators out
there, the KB is the most common source of contact between a PC and a
potential discharge. Possibly while you were cleaning things, you may
have discharged into the controller chipset and damaged it.

...A second possiblity may be more mechanical. Those particular keys
on most circuit board designs tend to run parallel to one another and
towards a common trace lead point before heading into the KB
controller. You *might* have damaged one or more of those traces,
caused them to short across one another, or - more likely - when
reassembling the three layers, you didn't seat them against one
another completely. If the latter is probable, try taking the KB apart
again and put it back together. If there were any retaining clamps
holding the three layers together, make sure they're still there *and*
securely attached.

The printed circuitry on the plastic *** was showing oxidation near the edges; I think that one of them was corroded enough that the cleaning destroyed its conductivity.
Anyway, friend of mine works with computers, and has around fifteen spare keyboards lying around, including some of those IBM monsters. He said he'll get me a new keyboard in the next few days.


...One other thing I would recommend if you do take the KB back apart
again: get a hair dryer, set it on LOW, and run it across each of the
layers on both sides to blow out any leftover water that might still
be present. Remember to watch for excess heating, as you're wanting
more to blow the water out rather than evaporate it. Afterwards, you
might also consider using a shop vac if your keys are sturdily
attached. Some water can get trapped and blowing won't help due to
surface tension, while a good vacuum will do the trick.

It isn't a water problem, the plastic sheets are transparent and if water gets between them it's obvious it's in there as it changes the optical properties as it gets squished between the sheets.

Pat
.