Re: Four completely unrelated Apple questions

[spector@vax2.concordia.ca (Mitchell Spector)]

In article nathan@cco.caltech.edu (Nathan Mates) writes...
>
>In article <9408140424.AA10660@phy.mtu.edu>,
>Sean M. McAfee <smmcafee@phy.mtu.edu> wrote:
>>Two.  My keyboard is starting to look pretty dirty--not the tops of the
>>keys, which are still spotless, but the areas around the keys.  What's a
>>good way to clean this grime away?  (It's a IIGS keyboard.)
> 
>    QTip soaked in a cleaning fluid, like Windex or Formula-409. A
>paper towel with the same stuff can also do the job if you turn off
>the GS, and rub it in.

	This works, as will Q-Tips diped in rubbing alcohol. For really
dirty and sticky keys, removing each keycap works wonders! On the IIgs
ADB keyboard you must first remove the two screws on bottom, then lift the
small extension from the other side that has Apple logo and covers the reset
key. Turn it upside down, while still holding keyboard side, use your other 
hand and gently tap the underside until the keyboard module slides out. Now
you can pry loose each keycap, usually starting with the ones on the 
outside first, then working your way inwards. Just _slowly_ and gently pull
each cap off the plastic spring-stick. All the keys will come off this way.
It's a good idea to soak them in a bowl of hot water (add liquid soap if
they're _really_ dirty) then rise and wipe dry each key. You might also want
to clean out the dust balls and other foreign junk that builds ups on
the keyboard module -- wiping around each key-stick with an alcohol soaked
Q-Tip gets at it. After you put everything back together, you should have
a like-new keyboard! I've done this with at least 8 or 9 of my Apple IIs
(including a III) and it's worked great. Could probably write up a mini-FAQ
on the details of cleaning and restoring Apple IIs, having cleaned and taken 
apart all but an Apple IIc+.. ;-)

>Nathan Mates
>-- 
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Mitchell Spector
sb_spec@pavo.concordia.ca / spector@vax2.concordia.ca