Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
On Sep 9, 2009, at 9:31 AM, Jordan wrote: The nice Apple keyboard that I use on the iMac has a problem. The cde and 3 keys have stopped working. Is there anything I can tinker with that might fix this? It's a couple years old, but does anyone think Apple will do anything for me on this? CDE not working suggests that it is the matrix wire that serves that row of keys. You may be able to get inside to reseat a ribbon cable, but it probably won't be easy. Problem could be electronics and definitely not fixable. New one is $50 and a very nice keyboard it is. Third-party keyboards are $20. I agree that you probably need a new keyboard. Now that you have nothing to lose, open the keyboard and try to fix it yourself anyway. Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
b_s-wilk wrote: I agree that you probably need a new keyboard. Now that you have nothing to lose, open the keyboard and try to fix it yourself anyway. Betty Yes! I am that kind of person. I'll have to see if I can do it more gently than the guy in the link you gave. Heating it up a but will help. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
This is the thin, low profile, full width, aluminum, $50 keyboard, which I love. I cover it when I'm not using it, nothing was spilled on it and the keys that failed are all in a row and failed the same day. Doesn't that suggest that the failure is electronic rather than a physical problem with individual keys. I popped off a key to reveal a clean membrain. Thanks b_s-wilk wrote: Have you tried popping off the keys to see what the problem might be? In the past I've found that keyboard malfunctions have been physical problems and not computer/circuit board problems. Notice the pattern? Did you spill something on your computer? Both the white and the black Apple keyboards were easy to clean, even in the dishwasher. You could open them. They're plastic mostly. A new white keyboard cost me around $28 last year at the Apple store in Delaware My new iMac came with the wired aluminum keyboard. I suppose you could open it for cleaning [with a sharp knife, voiding the warranty?], but I haven't tried. Instead I bought a keyboard skin [ice] to protect it. Good thing, too. My cats like to walk on the keyboard. I'm not nervous about putting drinks near my keyboard now. A keyboard skin won't help you now, but once you get your keyboard clean, it will make a difference. Mine is thin and doesn't affect the feel of the keyboard much. Found it on eBay. The dishwasher cleaning appears to work with the aluminum keyboard too, http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1930818, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XbPpdxnm6sNR=1feature=fvwp. Yes you can open an aluminum keyboard, http://mustardhamsters.com/?p=86, but will it work when you close it!! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
In that case I'd say yes. It's probably an electronic failure. Is it still under warrantee? After this discussion of keyboards I got to looking and thinking. I hate the flat keys Apple is now using. I prefer the indented type. No pun intended. But the touch and feel lets me know where my fingers are on the board. It's probably a personal thing, but still. Jeff Miles jmile...@charter.net Join my Mafia http://apps.facebook.com/inthemafia/status_invite.php?from=550968726 On Sep 10, 2009, at 5:02 AM, Jordan wrote: This is the thin, low profile, full width, aluminum, $50 keyboard, which I love. I cover it when I'm not using it, nothing was spilled on it and the keys that failed are all in a row and failed the same day. Doesn't that suggest that the failure is electronic rather than a physical problem with individual keys. I popped off a key to reveal a clean membrain. Thanks b_s-wilk wrote: Have you tried popping off the keys to see what the problem might be? In the past I've found that keyboard malfunctions have been physical problems and not computer/circuit board problems. Notice the pattern? Did you spill something on your computer? Both the white and the black Apple keyboards were easy to clean, even in the dishwasher. You could open them. They're plastic mostly. A new white keyboard cost me around $28 last year at the Apple store in Delaware My new iMac came with the wired aluminum keyboard. I suppose you could open it for cleaning [with a sharp knife, voiding the warranty?], but I haven't tried. Instead I bought a keyboard skin [ice] to protect it. Good thing, too. My cats like to walk on the keyboard. I'm not nervous about putting drinks near my keyboard now. A keyboard skin won't help you now, but once you get your keyboard clean, it will make a difference. Mine is thin and doesn't affect the feel of the keyboard much. Found it on eBay. The dishwasher cleaning appears to work with the aluminum keyboard too, http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1930818, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XbPpdxnm6sNR=1feature=fvwp . Yes you can open an aluminum keyboard, http://mustardhamsters.com/?p=86 , but will it work when you close it!! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http:// www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http:// www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
On Sep 9, 2009, at 9:31 AM, Jordan wrote: The nice Apple keyboard that I use on the iMac has a problem. The cde and 3 keys have stopped working. Is there anything I can tinker with that might fix this? It's a couple years old, but does anyone think Apple will do anything for me on this? CDE not working suggests that it is the matrix wire that serves that row of keys. You may be able to get inside to reseat a ribbon cable, but it probably won't be easy. Problem could be electronics and definitely not fixable. New one is $50 and a very nice keyboard it is. Third-party keyboards are $20. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
I don't know if Apple will help you with this, but there's plenty you can try yourself. You can pry off the keys pretty easily and see how much dirt / hair / smutz / is under each of them. Use something gentle to pry with. The keys should simply lift off easily, and then press back on. Not difficult to do. You can blow gently on the area to get the grunge out, use a soft brush to move things out of the area, etc. and see if this doesn't fix your difficulties. If this doesn't fix the problem, get some canned air from Radio Shack, or Office Depot, or Staples. Try cleaning under and around the keys that no longer work with the canned air. As above, get some tuner cleaner from Radio Shack, etc. and spray under and around the keys that no longer work. Or you may want to do this in reverse order, using tuner cleaner followed by canned air to clean and then dry off all contacts. It's been reported that you can also wash these keyboards in the dishwasher. -- By themselves -- Without dish detergent. Simply run a cycle with the keyboard (keys facing down) and then let dry -- a looong time -- and reconnect. I've never needed to try this, but I've read many times that it works. If all else fails, I think replacement keyboards are pretty inexpensive these days, but tuner cleaner and canned air have always worked for me. Mical Wimoth Carton chrper...@aol.com From: Jordan jor17...@gmail.com Date: September 9, 2009 9:31:48 AM EDT Subject: Keyboard problem The nice Apple keyboard that I use on the iMac has a problem. The cde and 3 keys have stopped working. Is there anything I can tinker with that might fix this? It's a couple years old, but does anyone think Apple will do anything for me on this? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
Have you tried popping off the keys to see what the problem might be? In the past I've found that keyboard malfunctions have been physical problems and not computer/circuit board problems. Notice the pattern? Did you spill something on your computer? I haven't checked recently, and don't know the model of your iMac, but Apple keyboards usually go for about $110. I stopped buying them and am happy with my wireless logitech which cost $35? I can't remember for sure. It's got several buttons that don't work on the Mac because they seem proprietary to software that needs Windows. But those are music and DVD buttons off to the side. It also has a rotate and zoom button that don't work with anything I've got on the Mac either. However, for me, it's the most comfortable keyboard I've ever used. It has a sloping palm rest and allows the hands to feel very lazy(?) on the keyboard. I hate my short keyboard that came with my latest 24 iMac. I plugged it into my clam shell iBook and use it there. Allows me close reach without being right on top of the iBook. Jeff Miles jmile...@charter.net Join my Mafia http://apps.facebook.com/inthemafia/status_invite.php?from=550968726 On Sep 9, 2009, at 6:31 AM, Jordan wrote: The nice Apple keyboard that I use on the iMac has a problem. The cde and 3 keys have stopped working. Is there anything I can tinker with that might fix this? It's a couple years old, but does anyone think Apple will do anything for me on this? Thanks * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http:// www.cguys.org/ ** * * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
This is the thin, low profile, full width, aluminum, $50 keyboard, which I love. The keys that failed are all in a row and failed the same day, suggesting to me that the failure is electronic rather than a physical problem with individual keys. There has not been any foreign material near this keyboard. I even cover it when I'm not using it to keep the dust off. But I'll pop keys off and tinker with them. Regarding your Logitech keyboard: Logitech has a new Control Center program that provides more settings for my Logitech mouse. You might check it out. Thanks for taking time off from your busy discussion with the rationally impaired. Jeff Miles wrote: Have you tried popping off the keys to see what the problem might be? In the past I've found that keyboard malfunctions have been physical problems and not computer/circuit board problems. Notice the pattern? Did you spill something on your computer? I haven't checked recently, and don't know the model of your iMac, but Apple keyboards usually go for about $110. I stopped buying them and am happy with my wireless logitech which cost $35? I can't remember for sure. It's got several buttons that don't work on the Mac because they seem proprietary to software that needs Windows. But those are music and DVD buttons off to the side. It also has a rotate and zoom button that don't work with anything I've got on the Mac either. However, for me, it's the most comfortable keyboard I've ever used. It has a sloping palm rest and allows the hands to feel very lazy(?) on the keyboard. I hate my short keyboard that came with my latest 24 iMac. I plugged it into my clam shell iBook and use it there. Allows me close reach without being right on top of the iBook. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
How To Clean Your Computer Keyboard www.helpwithpcs.com/maintenance/cleaning-keyboard.htm Also, a simple Google search (keyboard dishwasher) confirms, to my surprise, that cleaning a keyboard in a dishwasher can actually be done, but drying time could take a week. Michael Michael S. Altus, PhD, ELS Intensive Care Communications, Inc.(R) Biomedical Writing and Editing al...@intensivecarecomm.com www.intensivecarecomm.com * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Keyboard problem
Have you tried popping off the keys to see what the problem might be? In the past I've found that keyboard malfunctions have been physical problems and not computer/circuit board problems. Notice the pattern? Did you spill something on your computer? Both the white and the black Apple keyboards were easy to clean, even in the dishwasher. You could open them. They're plastic mostly. A new white keyboard cost me around $28 last year at the Apple store in Delaware My new iMac came with the wired aluminum keyboard. I suppose you could open it for cleaning [with a sharp knife, voiding the warranty?], but I haven't tried. Instead I bought a keyboard skin [ice] to protect it. Good thing, too. My cats like to walk on the keyboard. I'm not nervous about putting drinks near my keyboard now. A keyboard skin won't help you now, but once you get your keyboard clean, it will make a difference. Mine is thin and doesn't affect the feel of the keyboard much. Found it on eBay. The dishwasher cleaning appears to work with the aluminum keyboard too, http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1930818, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XbPpdxnm6sNR=1feature=fvwp. Yes you can open an aluminum keyboard, http://mustardhamsters.com/?p=86, but will it work when you close it!! * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
