Re: One key on Apple II keyboard is dead - suggestions?

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

N.N. Thayer wrote:
> Update!
>
> It turns out that, if I press the key in some really weird ways (say,
> the upper right corner, about two dozen times), I can get a response
> from the "D" key.  So I guess it's not *broken* but it sure is
> inconvenient... anyone care to give any pointers?  Can I safely pop
> these keys off and clean underneath, or are they not designed to be
> removed?

Right.  See my response to p_mores earlier in this thread.

Exercising a key will often restore proper function.  In difficult
cases, squirting a little contact cleaner (Radio Shack...) where the
keyswitch post enters the keyswitch body and exercising the key
vigorously will clean the contacts and restore function.  Removing
the "D" keycap will make it easier to get the cleaner to the right
spot.

You can build a little keycap remover from a paper clip, by
straightening it, bending it into a "U", and then bending little
1/16" "L"s on the ends of the wires, facing each other.  Then
fit the ends between the keys on opposite sides of the cap you
want to remove, gently press the "L"s so they go under the sides
of the cap, and pull straight up.

I consider replacing a switch as a last resort.  ;-)

-michael

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

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