X41 Tablet keyboard keys act sticky????

[madmaven]

I have an X41 Tablet, that I aquired on Ebay quite a while ago.It had a spanish version of XP converted to english and not the tablet version. Through the forum I was able to get the tablet software and got that installed and played atround with it for a while. This sounds stupid but the keyboard is weird. When you depress the keys they offer resistance and make a crunchy, clicky or sticky type sound. This is every key! After you press them they seem normal unless you wait a while and then try them and they are resistant again. I at first thought something was spilled on the keyboard, since it was such a disaster when I got it. Then I wondered if this was some quirky trait of the tablet. I'm thinking of selling it, since i dont use it, and will replace the keyboard if this is not normal. I need someone to tell me if this is just a screwed up keyboard or that they are all like this. Obviously I have not owned any other IBM tablets to have a frame of reference. thanks in advance for any advice.
MM

[topmahof]

that keyboard should be almost exactly like your x31 keyboard. i don't have an x41 tablet but i have x32's and x41's and an x-40 and they all feel alike. maybe something was spilled on it.

[mediasponge]

There are very few things worse for electronics than Cola damage. Many soft drinks are so corrosive that traces on circuit boards will eventually fail if not cleaned immediately. I would take the kyb out and inspect the underside. Swab with a moist Q-tip looking for residue.

[billp117]

A simple solution is to replace the keyboard. Any X40, X41, or x41t keyboard will work on your tablet. You can either find one here on the forum or they are dirt cheap on eBay. Yes...you could try to repair the KB one key at a time by removing the key cap and spraying contact cleaner on the contact beneath the key cap. I would rather replace rather than spend the time trying to clean each key. Besides...one of the keys could become not working or crunchy again after your repairs.

Good luck...

[automobus]

Yes...you could try to repair the KB one key at a time by removing the key cap and spraying contact cleaner on the contact beneath the key cap. I would rather replace rather than spend the time trying to clean each key.

My favourite-ever-hacker-blogger Mark Hoekstra did that. He also repaired a crack almost too small to see in the cable. And sanded the labels of each and every key, to make a clean and blank keyboard.
Zen and the art of ibook keyboard-maintenance
http://geektechnique.org/projectlab/160

[madmaven]

Thanks, My first instinct was correct ,most likely, I know about coke,i dont see any damage, but I will just order one from thebay. thanks but no thanks I would rather spend a week at orthopedic rehabilition than remove and replace every key on a keyboard. at my age there is less time remaining ahead of me, than behind me and I always have to try to choose wisely.

[madmaven]

HEY HEY!!! It is my 100th posting on the forum!!! Not this post silly, the one before!!! MM

[automobus]

Hey hey! My last post in this thread was also my post #100.

[madmaven]

Congrats to you too~! Your a lot faster than I was though. Best wishes. MM