Conference hydra::amiga_v1

3169.0. "SHIFT-KEY Problems" by BLKWDO::ARBUCKLE (WIZARD) Thu Nov 30 1989 11:48

    I have developed a problem with the right-side Shift key...it stopped
    working.  I removed the cover, keyboard and baseplate to see what,
    if anything was preventing it from working (the left-side still works)
    and the flexboard appeared to be fine.  I then suspected the key
    mechanism.
    
    	I removed the key/poet/"rubber"-foot and tried to use it to
    activate other keys...nothing!
    	I did the same with the F10 key and tried using the "rubber"-foot
    to activate other keys...it worked!  I tried it on the pads for the
    right-side Shift key and it worked...wierd!
    
    SOOOOOO...it appears that the "rubber"-foot (I know it is more than
    just rubber, but don't understand how the keyboard works well enough
    to describe what's happening) for the right-side Shift key doesn't
    work anymore.  I tried cleaning it (water, rubbing) but that didn't
    help, sooo, I exchanged it for the "rubber"-foot on the HELP key,
    which I don't ever use.  Everything works fine now, except the HELP
    key.
    
    Can anyone explain:
    
    	1. How pressing a key on the keyboard causes the computer to know
    which key was pressed, and,
    	2. how to fix (clean, repair, or replace) the little "rubber"-foot
    on the key.
    
    Thanks for your help!  I can be reached at (602) 731-4115
    
    						Don
    						 ~

re:.0
<    	1. How pressing a key on the keyboard causes the computer to know
<    which key was pressed, and,
<    	2. how to fix (clean, repair, or replace) the little "rubber"-foot
<    on the key.
    
	The rubber foot is conductive. When the resistance goes up (because
	of fracture of the material) the key stops working. The first fix
	is to clean the pad with rubbing alcohol. The next fix is to replace 
	the pad.  I don't know how you would get a replacement except from
	a junk keyboard. C64 and C128 use the same keytype.

		-Tom-

    
     
     	Great!  Thanks for the info.  Anyone got an old	keyboard or
    extra rubber feet?
    
    						Don
    						 ~