Fixing a water-damaged keyboard

[kanafan]

I dropped water on a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (bong water )

Now, when I press b, it goes "pb". Pressing "n", gives "]n". I disassembled the thing, it has three plastic sheets under the keys. I cleaned the areas below the problematic keys using isopropyl alcohol, no luck. There is no visible corrosion.

Any ideas?

[ichbinsisyphos]

Well, I can tell you that I disassembled many keyboards in my time and ever since the thin-foil-thing began they all looked perfectly fine when dry and not one of them ever worked again after being put together. None.


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[szczerb]

I suppose that good washing could help

http://forums.gentoo.org/viewtopic-t-935700.html#7133040

[sikpuppy]

[kanafan]

[kanafan]

The keyboard is now ruined completely. I thoroughly washed the flimsy membrane thing in IPA and now not a single key works.

A nice keyboard ruined by just a minor spill.

[szczerb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Pale_Ale ?

Also note that if you washed your keyboard thoroughly it will take days to fully dry between those plastic sheets beneath the keys.

[kanafan]

IPA = Isopropyl Alcohol. It is used to clean circuit boards. Evaporates really fast.

[szczerb]

Didn't know the english name for it.

With IPA you cleaned just the surface of a multi-layer structure. You really should try throwing it into a bucket, as suggested in the other thread. I've washed my desktop keyboards as well - worked better afterwards.

[rickj]

I've fixed several such keyboards. It can be done by delaminating the three sheets, washing both sides of each sheet in soapy water, then a copious water rinse. Allow to dry *thoroughly*, then re-assemble. The slightest trace of dampness after drying will stop the k/b working - I suggest a 24 hour dry before assembly. You may need a few dabs of adhesive to re-assemble, keep this well away from tracks. Cyanoacrylate (super glue) is a poor move, since it is water-activated. Rubber cement, well dried before assembly. worked for me.

[wildhorse]

Try ultra-pure water.

[kanafan]

[danomac]

Don't use tap water, use distilled water. Tap water is not pure and can have minerals etc in them that can cause electrical tracing.

I disassembled one of my Microsoft keyboards about 15 years ago and washed all 356+ parts with soapy distilled water and let it dry fully. Worked fine after I reassembled it. (Tip: Don't let your kid brother use your computer, he'll spill Dr. Pepper all over the keyboard! )

Back then keyboards were really expensive, you couldn't buy a new one for < $20. I think that keyboard cost $75 or higher - I was a poor student at the time and couldn't afford another one.

Whatever you do don't put it in the dishwasher like my friend's mother did.

[billium]

I think the IPA may have destroyed the conductive carbon elements.
I've found, like stated above, warm soapy distilled water followed by rinsing and drying.

@ sikpuppy .. do I have to get rid of my glass of wine now?

Eating instead bong ?

[BoneKracker]

[BoneKracker]

Also, this may be useful: US Pat. 4241741 (1980) Spill-Proof Bong.
_________________
Oldthinkers unbellyfeel INGSOC.
-- Headline of a document on Winston Smith's terminal in his cubicle at the Ministry of Truth, seen briefly in the background in one scene of the movie rendition of Nineteen Eighty-Four.

[kanafan]

[BoneKracker]

I know somebody whose cat has a fetish for pulling the keycaps off laptop keyboards.
_________________
Oldthinkers unbellyfeel INGSOC.
-- Headline of a document on Winston Smith's terminal in his cubicle at the Ministry of Truth, seen briefly in the background in one scene of the movie rendition of Nineteen Eighty-Four.