Re: Key not working...

[Warren Ernst <wernst@gmail.com>]

On Feb 28, 9:43 pm, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:
> Snorkel wrote:
> > I just set up one of my Apple IIe's, and in probably its first session
> > of extensive use in 20 years I noticed the T key doesn't work. It
> > doesn't seem to be jammed or anything... every other key on the
> > keyboard is fine. What should I do?
>
> First, try pressing the key firmly but gently ;-) about 200 times,
> while slightly altering the push "axis" away from perpendicular
> in various directions.
>
> You'd be amazed how often that cleans the switch contacts and
> restores function, even without any other "cleaner".
>
> -michael
>
> NadaPong: Network game demo for Apple II computers!
> Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/
>
> "The wastebasket is our most important design
> tool--and it's seriously underused."

And if that doesn't work, try a little bit of "Tuner Cleaner" from
Radio Shack. It comes in a little aerosol can and costs about $6, and
will last you about 1,000 years.

Pop off the keycap, spray a teeny tiny little bit where the shaft
enters the mechanism, wait a minute for capillary action to do its
thing, and then press that key shaft up and down about 200 more times.
It cleans and lubricates electrical contacts - things like noisy pots,
bad keycaps, and of course, rotary television tuner knobs, (which
basically don't exist anymore.)

I recently revived a GS keyboard with 4 dead keys with some Tuner
Cleaner. It sometimes works miracles...

-Warr