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Conference 7.286::atarist

Title:Atari ST, TT, & Falcon
Notice:Please read note 1.0 and its replies before posting!
Moderator:FUNYET::ANDERSON
Created:Mon Apr 04 1988
Last Modified:Tue May 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1433
Total number of notes:10312

1294.0. "keyboard probs" by TROOA::RATTMAN () Thu Jun 18 1992 17:27

      I have an old 520stfm, with a new (3 months old) DS drive installed. 
    (I also have an 1040STe, thats why I upgraded the drive so they would
    be disk compatable).  I am having off and on problems with my keyboard
    working on the 520stfm.  Occasionally the bottom row of keys will not
    work.  (usually space bar, zx vb and n.  c and m will work fine.) All
    other keys are fine.  If I give it a reboot, or a 'nudge' over the F8
    key, it will start to work.  Can I fix this?  Can I order a replacement
    keyboard?
    
     Keith   
    
    
     
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1294.1How do you reboot it when it fixed it?AIDEV::MISKINISFri Jun 19 1992 18:1914
Hi,

	I'm a little puzzled as to why a reboot would fix it, if it's
	a connection-related problem.  Are you rebooting it via software
	or the button on the back?

	If you're using the button on the back, perhaps it's enough
	of a nudge to alter the physical connection...

	I'm not a keyboard (hardware) guru, but I've disconnected
	my keyboard several times, and perhaps the connector has
	a little oxide on it...  

_John_
1294.2thanks for the helpTROOA::RATTMANMon Jun 22 1992 19:359
       I have tried all that.  It has baffled me, and all of my technical
    friends.  Luckily, a local (the only, sigh..) atari computer store had
    a 'garage sale' of used equipment.  I picked up a used keyboard (an old
    one, from the stf) and put that in.  It works just fine, so I guess
    something was wrong with the other.  The good thing is it only cost me
    $4.00 cdn, the first repair i've ever had that's been under 100.
    
    KR
    
1294.3EPTVAX::RADOFFWed Jun 24 1992 16:1911
The keyboard is certainly repairable as I have been in and out of mine several
times.  In noting your symptoms, I would suggest you examine the plug coming
from the keyboard that connects to the main board.  I have on several occasions
had to reattach one or more wires.  I have found that the crimp tends to cut
deeply into the wire and tends to fatigue the connection.  It does not take
much to reduce the connection to a single strand.  Since the bundle is also
wrapped, a flaky connection can occur as the wire may be held close to the
crimp.  Check closely and if you see a questionable, solder the wire directly
onto the crimp terminal.  This has worked for me.

	Steve
1294.4My Savior: Mouse MasterTROOA::RATTMANWed Jun 24 1992 22:057
     
      Thanks for the advise, now I'll know what to do if this keyboard goes
    nuts.  (Fixing the old one seems pointless as both ports are wrecked. I
    wish I had a mouse master when I bought my computer...)
    
    KR
    
1294.5Z, X, V ... fail for me alsoIOSG::CARLINDick Carlin IOSG, Reading, EnglandSat Jul 03 1993 21:3929
    Well, I seem to have a very similar problem to .0 on a 1040STf. Every
    so often the Z, X, V, RHSHIFT and CAPSLOCK keys all fail. Switch off or
    swear at the keyboard and they all start working again. I took the
    keyboard apart to see what connection there was between those keys. I
    assumed that each key shorts out a unique pair of pins on the big chip,
    so each pin shares a few keys. Sure enough the top right hand pin leads
    to Z, then X, then V, this is looking promising, then SPACE (oh!) then
    N, M, RHSHIFT, ?, CAPSLOCK, KP0, KP., ENTER. So much for that theory,
    any break in the connection should have taken out all those keys.
    
    So I'm really puzzled. Previous explanations (here and in 709.*) don't
    seem to explain it.
    
    (Oxidation of contacts): but the keys in question either all work or all
    fail, rather than intermittent operation on any of them.
    
    (Static): but that would lead to a permanent failure I assume.
    
    (Funny mouse): This actually looks the most promising, I do have a
    Gravis Mouse-Stick. Perhaps it is upsetting the keyboard chip.
    
    Right now I'm sitting in front of a naked keyboard and a pile of
    contact-domes. Of course now I can't get it to fail at all, no matter
    how much I power down, disconnect the mouse, etc etc.
    
    It's been a year since the last reply. Has anyone had any new flashes
    of inspiration on this problem, or should I just buy a new keyboard?
    
    Dick