Chris Alaimo wrote:
Great Hierophant wrote:
If you get a used Apple II or II+, you could possible encounter a
keyboard that doesn't work very well. Sticky keys, keys without
keycaps, broken keys. The old model Apple IIs and II+s are a bit
pricey these days. Are there any solutions out there for people who
would really like to enjoy their II or II+?
This is a great question. My Apple ][+ is in great condition,
including the keyboard (cosmetically), but the keyboard doesnt work
very well. I often have to hit a key several times before it will
register.
Would disassembling the keyboard and cleaning all of the contacts with
contact/tuner cleaner fix the problem? That would be pretty labor
intensive, but if the result was a properly working keyboard then I
think it would be well worth it.
Yes, that would help a lot.
The problem with unreliable keyboards is usually foreign matter on
the contacts. Sometimes it's just oxidation from disuse, and lots
of "use" will restore it to reliable operation. Sometimes it's a
liquid spill that delivered the dirt. And sometimes it's just an
accumulation of dust that has worked its way into the switch.
In all of these cases, a sparing application of good contact cleaner
where the post enters the switch, followed by vigorous operation of
the switch for several seconds, will clean the contacts and restore
reliable operation.
Not too much cleaner should be used, and all that can be removed
after cleaning should be removed, because it actually can cause more
dirt to "stick" in the future.
For very dirty keyswitches, replacement or more radical cleaning
(e.g. rinsing with cleaner) may be required, but they are the
exceptions.
-michael
Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/
"The wastebasket is our most important design
tool--and it is seriously underused."