BACK TO DIAGNOSTICS

a. Separting
Inspect the bottom of the keyboard for broken welds. A few may not be a problem, but if
there are several in the same area, it is a likely cause. Try to pry a few adjacent welds. If
they fall away easily, they were’nt doing any good anyway. Temporary gluing, screwing,
etc., will only make matters worse.

b. Bad keycap
Stiff, intermittent, repeating keys are sometimes the symptom of a damaged cap.
Remove the cap by prying up from the front of the cap. Tip the machine or the keyboard
so that the the connectors are pointing down and the keyspring falls to the back of the
chimney. Install a known good cap (borrow one from anywhere on the keyboard). The
following test applies only to keys that are not programmed to repeat: * - . x etc. When
testing for repeating keys, slowly depress the cap until you hear or feel the down-click.
There should be only one character typed. Slowly release the key until you hear or feel
the up-click. Repeating keys most often manifest themselves on the up-click. If you
have any patience remaining, try to bounce the key between the clicks. If the suspect key
still passes, you earned your paycheck. Take the customers word for it and send it in.

c. Conductive debris on circuit board
Just a final check to ensure accurate diagnostics. Paper clips, staples, etc. can generate
all manner of malfunction. Worse, they can destroy a good replacement part. Specific to
keyboards, burned, melted lines are a solid indication of conductive debris. When we
observe this condition, we will call to inform you. The keyboard is already toast, but
let’s not fry another one.

d. Bad keyspring
If it doesn’t click, it doesn’t work. With power off, listen closely for a sharp click on the
down-stroke and a slighter quieter up-click. Try known good keys for comparison. This
is often corrected by simply reinstalling the keycap. Remove the keycap by prying up
from the front of the cap. Tip the machine or hold the keyboard so that the connectors
are pointing down and the keyspring falls to the back of the chimney. Push the cap back
on and test. Try a different keycap. If the problem persists, replace the spring. Twist it
anti-clockwise while pulling up gently. Using a bristol or allen wrench that just fits
inside the new spring, place it on the mounting node of the keyswitch rocker. Place the
forked end of a spring hook near the base of the spring and nudge it into place. Reinstall
the keycap and test. This may take a few tries, but if you’ve given up by now you’ve
made a good decision. Send it in.

 

Attempts to repair typewriter keyboards may cause further damage.

Plesase call tech support before proceeding.