sticky keys

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plasdom · #1 Post by **plasdom** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 5:05 pm

I spilled some soda on my keypad. Cleaned it quickly but some keys (2 or 3) are sticky. How can I clean it?

Plinkerton · #2 Post by **Plinkerton** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:23 am

hose...

The Weissman · #3 Post by **The Weissman** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 5:30 am

Several years ago I spilled a Snapple on the keyboard of a customer's Sun workstation. (How embarrassing!) The customer said we should immediately flush the keyboard out under running water; the stickiness of the sugar could do more damage than the wetness. So we did...

...but the keyboard never came back to life.

Following that logic, though, you should remove the keyboard from your laptop and flush it out with water.

Steve

plasdom · #4 Post by **plasdom** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:13 pm

how do I remove the keyboard. Since there are only two sticky keys I may be able to clean it out

baertracks · #5 Post by **baertracks** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 8:46 pm

It is not all that difficult to pop off a key and clean under it using a cotton swab and alcohol. You may even to able to swab away the stickiness with the key cap in place. I've been there and done that.

If you do take off the cap, then take a very close look at the underlying structure. You might also keep the following post handy http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=6748

The detailed description by javanaut helped me in relacing a key that had come completely unattached. Actually, what finally worked for me was to take off the top portion of another key (like the PrtSc key). Then I could really see and understand how the pieces fit into place.

Regards,
FRANK

plasdom · #6 Post by **plasdom** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 2:56 pm

so I can just pop it off like a regular keyboard? Prop something under a key and push it out?

baertracks · #7 Post by **baertracks** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 4:23 pm

I would first recommend the alcohol swab approach. If you can't clean it suffisantly with the keyboard in place, then remove the keyboard and try again with the keyboard upside down (so you don't get so much liquid soaking into parts underneath).

Next, I would call IBM and ask for a replacement. They are generally very understanding an helpful these kind of situations.

If that doesn't work, then try levering a small flat screwdrive under one side of a key and pop it up gently. If one side doesn't work, then try the others. WATCH OUT for parts underneath that may also come loose when the cap comes off. The idea is to remove the cap without dislodging the "sawhorse" spring that is under it.

And finally, it that doesn't work, please don't blame me!

Regards,
FRANK

plasdom · #8 Post by **plasdom** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:04 pm

well since the keys are so close together that it is very difficult to get anything underneath, I don't think the alcohol swab approach will work.

Next, I would call IBM and ask for a replacement. They are generally very understanding an helpful these kind of situations.

replacement of the entire unit? I may have a case with the HD overheating the palmrest problem.

baertracks · #9 Post by **baertracks** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:14 pm

plasdom wrote:replacement of the entire unit?

No, just replacement of the keyboard. You would have to remove a couple of screws on the back and then wiggle the keyboard. Instructions to do this are posted at IBM. Search this forum to find the link.

FRANK

#10 Post by **RonS** » Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:44 pm

Keyboard cost around $35 or so, and can be replaced in just a couple of minutes.

kchung · #11 Post by **kchung** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 1:32 pm

I wouldn't recommend popping the keys off.

I would take the keyboard off - depending on the model it's 2-4 screws underneath that hold it down. Turn the keyboard over, keys side down and use an alcohol soaked q-tip (maybe with part of the tip taken off to make it smaller) to get underneath - try leaving the sticky key in the up position and push adjacent keys down to get more space.

Alternatively, using the edge of an alcohol soaked paper towel might work. I'd also use one of those "canned air" dusters to blow out the excees. I think with repeated soaking/blowing out, you might get the keys cleaned out. Just don't over do it with the alcohol - you might spread the stickiness around.

On the older laptops, the keyboard screws are labeled with double triangles pointing to the screws - the T23 is the exception as one of the screws is actually under the access bay door to the network/modem daughter cards.

The new laptops like the T41 have 4 screws and they're marked with a keyboard symbol.

plasdom · #12 Post by **plasdom** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:35 pm

well I did not read the post in time. I took the keys off (two of them 'f' and 'r') and I am unable to put them back on. Any walkthrough

plasdom · #13 Post by **plasdom** » Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:43 pm

help?

plucky duck · #14 Post by **plucky duck** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 1:18 am

The keys pop out and pop back in with little force involved.

IBM just replaced my sticky keys keyboard no problem. They didn't send me one though, I had to go to an authorised IBM contracted service centre locally and have them install it there.

The fella on the phone wouldn't send me one out, his reason being is they want the service centre to make sure that it was not user fault (spilled drink), otherwise they would not cover it. The local tech mentioned that if the keys have fallen off then it's not covered under warranty. He was nice about it and didn't mention that in the work order and gave me a replacement anyhow.

plasdom · #15 Post by **plasdom** » Sat Jun 11, 2005 8:34 am

well, I broke the key. What is the number to call to purchase a keyboard from IBM? I have searched and no luck.

sticky keys

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