[redsniper]

Something's wrong with my keyboard. Most of the keys aren't being detected and it's also causing Windows to randomly go into standby. This happens with any USB port, in BIOS, and on my roomates computer too, so I'm pretty sure it's a hardware problem with the keyboard. I've also seen other people posting about the same problem on the internet.

These people all stopped at "buy a new one or take it apart, lol" Well, I've already disassembled mine and there are no obvious problems. It doesn't have springs under the keys, but rather a rubber mat with raised up spots under each key that act like springs. Under this are a couple clear plastic sheets with some embedded circuitry that apparently responds to pressure.

Has anyone else heard of this problem? Is anyone familiar with keyboards built like this and could tell me what to look for and if/how to fix it?

[Nuke]

there should be 3 layers of plasitc under the rubber spring mat. most of em arent sealed (and they could easily use a heat press to seal it). i find that theese layers will suck up a tiny drop of liquid that comes in contact with the edge, no matter it be a drop of your soft drink or saliva from excess loling. whatever the case it shorts out some of the paths. so open em up and give em a good wipedown with alcohol. ive revived many a keyboard with this technique, including an old wireless.

[redsniper]

How exactly should I go about doing this? The three layers are directly attached to a small circuit board so I can't just pull them out. I suppose I could just lift one up, wipe it down, and the alcohol would evaporate fast enough so as to not be a problem, right?

[Nuke]

you could do it that way. i usually go all the way, dismantle everything, almost literally bathe the layers in alcohol and dry with a hair dryer. you could somehow prop it open to dry or just use a hair dryer. its important to get both of the surfaces with the contacts, cause thats where your shorts will occur.

all the ones i seen had a black connector on the circuit board that the contact strip was inserted into. its entirely possible that they could have permanently attached it some how. if its not soldered to the board or epoxyed to the connector you should be able to remove it fairly easy. getting it back in is somewhat harder, take care not to bend the plastic. use as little force possible and wiggle it into place.

[jr2]

Thx for the guide, Nuke, I'll try that with some of my old keyboards sometime.   

[redsniper]

I think I've got a bigger problem here. I don't know how I missed this the first time around, but some of the circuitry looks kind of brown as if it were burned.





pics are bad since my cellphone camera can't focus up close, but I think they get the point across. I'm pretty sure this isn't just stuff on the surface either since wiping it with alcohol didn't seem to have any effect.

[Nuke]

thats more likely corrosion from spilled liquid. ive seen it before. sometimes it can be cleaned up with alcohol but sometimes it cant. you could try a mild acid or some very fine grit sandpaper and try to resurface the contacts. but ive never had to go to such extremes before.

[redsniper]

Meh, I think I know what to ask my family for Christmas now.
Thanks for the advice anyways.

[Nuke]

i found a link to this while browsing through hack-a-day.

http://www.applefritter.com/node/19402

essentially it shows you how to use aluminum foil as a substitute for a bad tracer. its for an apple keyboard but its same cheap plastic membrane layer.

[redsniper]

Nevermind trying to fix this one, what should I replace it with? Desk space is limited, so I want a keyboard that isn't too big like the G15. I also don't like those office keyboards that have 100 shortcut buttons at the top. The Razer Tarantula seems a little too expensive, I'm looking more at a $50-$60 range since that's about what the Eclipse cost me.

As far as I can tell, the big gaming keyboards now are the G15 (too big), Tarantula (too expensive), and the Eclipse II (the only one left). I'm kind of wary about getting that though, seeing as the first one died on me.

So if you guys know of anything else, let me know. I want something a little fancier than your basic keyboard, but not some over the top behemoth either. Cheers.

EDIT: wireful preferred over wireless, btw. I can't be bothered to change batteries.

[jr2]

I have yet to change the batteries on my wireless keyboard, it's a Logitech LX710 that I purchased.... what, 4 months ago?  Something like that.

[Dark RevenantX]

Try building your own anime-style invisible keyboard that seems to float in mid-air and glow up whenever you press a key.

[Nuke]

i thought i saw a wireless laser keyboard. its really just a small device you put on your desk, and it uses lasers to project a keyboard onto any surface. through some trick of light it can tell where your fingers are at and signal keystrokes accordingly.

[redsniper]

Already ordered the Eclipse II.

[jr2]

i thought i saw a wireless laser keyboard. its really just a small device you put on your desk, and it uses lasers to project a keyboard onto any surface. through some trick of light it can tell where your fingers are at and signal keystrokes accordingly.

I've seen that too.... some Israeli company makes it.