Hello James.
At 04:27 PM 2/12/2006, you wrote:
> Hello to all.
>
> Today I faced the daunting task of disassembling an Apple keyboard in order
> to fix issues with repeating keys, specially the "a".
What model of keyboard? And what would it have cost to replace?
It's a white Pro Keyboard, the model that came with the first flat-screen
iMacs.
The local distributor charges about 60 US$ for them. After three tries with
new units, I bought one used via online auction and paid about 35 US$. And
it had/has exactly the same issue.
> This is obviously not a service task planned by Apple. But the local
> distributor is not able to supply a keyboard that doesn't repeat the
keys in
> the left side.
Sorry, to sound like Sir Doyle the Dense, but I don't follow. You mean to
say you have a local distributor that stocks *nothing* but defective
keybaords? [scratches head]
I got three from them, and all them repeated keys in the left side. Maybe
they are from a bad lot and they got them cheap. Or maybe Apple is not
aware of the fault or is too busy selling iPods, songs and TV shows to do
proper QC on legacy product lines.
> For the record, the size of the Allen key required for removing the
> outermost screws is 1,3 mm. It was hard to find.
>
> I cleaned the printed-circuit films with 100% alcohol and cotton, and also
> the separating film. I tightened the myriad mini-screws holding the
> keyboard assembly from the center outward. I avoided wiping the LED
> contacts just in case.
How long did the process take? I ask this because someone else thinking of
doing the same thing will want to know what it will cost them in time to do
what you've done.
About three hours, but that includes a generous period waiting for the
alcohol to dry completely. Say 45 minutes. I sat and listened to King
Crimson's first album.
All keys must be removed and replacing them takes about 20 minutes. The
hard part is to remove about 30 smaall screws and later reinstall them. I
had to use a jeweler screwdriver with no handle and got blisters. As you
see, I got a repeat a in "small" so the issue is still there, although
lessened.
I give up on Apple keyboaards (again double a). Will get a PC keyboard
along with a PS2/USB KVM switch. Even el cheapo Chinese PC keyboaards
(again) that cost 4 bucks do not repeat keys. Didn't do it before because
white or beige USB PC keyboards are unavailable here and my current KVM
switch is USB. There's now a KVM switch that allows PS2 keyboards and mice
and converts them to the USB interface when connected to the Mac. Will miss
the LEDs in the caps lock and num lock keys, though.
BTW, I repeated the same procedure with my daughter's keyboard (black unit
from slot-loading iMac G3500) that doesn't repeat keys but was full of
garbage inside, and kept working well. In this case I washed and brushed
all plastic parts with Fantastic (great product!) and rinsed them with
water so it took way longer.
Best regards.
Ing. Pablo Roufogalis L.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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