Re: Malfunctionning Keyboard

["Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Robert C. wrote:
> Thanks for your replies. I have never taken the keyboard apart, except as a 
> whole unit from the case: When the key caps are removed, are the switch 
> contacts visible, or do I have to do this from below? I think I will use the 
> contact cleaner approach, and if that doesn't work then I'll have to take 
> drastic steps and have to physically clean out the individual switches with 
> alcohol.

The tops of the keyswitches are visible when the keycaps are removed,
but the keyswitches are "sealed" units.  The plunger must slide up and
down through the top of the case, so a good seal is not provided.

That point where the plunger enters the keyswitch is where cleaning
fluids should be applied, preferably accompanied by some plunger motion.

Opening a keyswitch is both difficult, likely to damage the keyswitch,
and not likely to improve the situation.

Just get some contact cleaning fluid in through the top, and work the
switch plunger repeatedly.  If that doesn't clean the contacts enough,
then replacing the keyswitch (or the whole keyboard) is the most
efficient approach.

-michael

Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

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