Just got my locking up system fixed

[Joel]

It just happened about 1/2 hour ago and didn't even get the chance to ask
for help. About little more than 1/2 hour ago, my computer kept locking up
and after reboot 3 times I noticed something was wrong with the SHIFT key. I
was too lazy to do any fix I just pured some alcohol over the Shilt and A
keys hoping it will clean some dust, but it not only didn't help but got
even worse. So I pulled out the Shift key to find lot of hairs (I had the
keyboard for so many years) so I pulled out few more to clean the hair, but
it didn't help either.

So I replaced the MS Keyboard with another spared keyboard I have laying
aroumd collecting dirt, and have the problem solved before having a chance
to ask for help. And I may not know what to ask cuz I had no idea what the
keyboard was the problem,

Now, I will need to buy another MS keyboard which has a place to rest my
palms making thing easier to type.

 

[Joel]

LOL

a few years ago, this woman I know had me come over the check her
computer...kept locking up
and I tried everything...
event took it apart and checked all the connections, fans. etc.

Finally gave up and told here I'd have to bring it into the "shop"

When I moved the keyboard and set it on the floor sideways...
a HUGE puddle of soda poured out of it!!! (probably quite a bit of booze
too)

Yep...just a soaked keyboard...the machine itself was fine.

Her boyfriend had been watching me the whole time and never said a word.

She then glared at him and asked if he spilled his drink in the keyboard
the night before...

The drunkard at least gave a truthful answer:

Duh, I don't *recall* spilling my drink in the keyboard.

Even I will have to spend $60-70 for a new keyboard (unless I shop on
eBay), I still feel so luckly to accidently solve a problem could be a
mystery problem.

 

[CBFalconer]

.... snip ...

Even I will have to spend $60-70 for a new keyboard (unless I
shop on eBay), I still feel so luckly to accidently solve a
problem could be a mystery problem.

Try such places as Salvation Army. With any luck you will pick up
several at two dollars, maybe even five. With luck you will get an
old IBM keyboard.

 

[Joel]

Take screws out with a cordless drill, blow out all the
gunk, agitate all parts in mild detergent solution, rinse
dry reassemble. It doesn't take as long as you might think
unless it's a design where you have to pull every individual
key off.

That's a good idea, thanks. I will give it a try without high hope to
have the keyboard fixed but to learn something new, with some chance to have
it fixed.

I don't remember how many years it has served me, but it was the first
model of MicroSoft Natural Curve keyboard. It could be somewhere around
8-10 years (or may be more?).

Earlier this evening I have stopped by several local computer stores but
they don't carry this model, they have the similar with soft-pad which is
nice but I worry it may collect more grease than the hard plastic model.

I will have the keyboard taken apart after this message, and will wait for
the DVD auhroring is done before I give it a try as I worry it may lockup
the system which will cost me few hours of authoring.

 

[Joel]

Try such places as Salvation Army. With any luck you will pick up
several at two dollars, maybe even five. With luck you will get an
old IBM keyboard.

They do have tons of regular keyboard but not the fancy keyboard. I have
already ordered one on internet for $22 + S/H (the cheapest I can find as
some other store wants $40-50 for the keyboard + $10 S/H).

 

[Joel]

That's a good idea, thanks. I will give it a try without high hope to
have the keyboard fixed but to learn something new, with some chance to have
it fixed.

I did but it didn't help. Now I have to wait for the new keyboard already
ordered to arrive.

 

[Joel]

At that age you may find that the tracks on the mylar sheets
have corroded a bit, if any areas are significantly
discolored it may help to vigorously rub the area with a
very mild abrasive like a dry paper towel, or if they are
worse, rub effected areas with a pencil eraser then rub off
the remaining residual rubber with a paper towel.

I already ordered the replacement and it may arrive within the next few
days. I had it opened and unlike a normal keyboard, this one because of the
design it has 3 separated sets of circuit boards and soft rubbers. Oops! 4
sets cuz the Spacebar is by itself.

I didn't work so I may open it again to have another look. And it sounds
normal for the Shift key to go first as when I work with Photoshop I use lot
of Shift, Ctrl, and little Alt key (and the []-= keys too).