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The lost key

S

shawn510

Experienced Member
Joined
May 6, 2008
Messages
95
Location
Alabama
I have discovered that my Omnikey Plus keyboard that I use for my XT and T1000 has a problem. The 2 key on the numberpad does not register. It feels like it's working but does nothing.

Is this something that can be somewhat easily repaired by rank amateurs like myself? I assume I could try to replace the switch, but how tricky is that? This thing is built like a tank.

There are repair services, but they cost upwards of $50. I only paid $7.50 for it to begin with. :mrgreen:
 
The experienced people suggest you keep hitting the key a lot of times. Eventually it might start working again, although a switch definitely could be worn out.
 
Depending if the key caps are removable (look it up before you kill the keyboard lol) you can sometimes clean under them with a cue tip and some alchohol. Alternatively you could also (carefully .. **I've seen my share of carelessness and the raining of all the keys off the keyboard**) take apart the keyboard and clean under the electrical contacts.
 
Scan the keys before you take it apart, it aids in re-assembly, in case sum'n goes *schproing*!

Also, I've heard that the OmniKey uses the same keyswitches as the IBM Model M, etc, athough I've never had a broken one so no need to confirm this (the damn things are practically indestructible).

--T
 
So far no luck with retrying the key.
I removed the cap and found it attaches to a actual self contained switch. I'll have to post a picture when at home. It appears that it is using a switch made by Alps, rather than the buckling spring of a Model M.
I wonder if the switches are unobtainium?
 
A lot of manufacturers used micro switches: e.g. Atari, Acorn, Microbee, perhaps Apple? The exact model may differ though, but I don't think your kind of switch is made of unobtainium. The really hard core people desolder them, pull them apart, clean on the inside and put them back together again. I've never done that and I don't know if it would make the switch work again.
 
patscc said:
Shawn510, do you have a multimeter or something you can check continuity with to make sure it actually is the switch ?
patscc
Click to expand...

Yeah, I do, I didn't do anything with it last night. Straight from work to the Kindergarten play (the three piggy opera) to bed.

Maybe I'll have more ambition tonight.
 
I took off some of the armor last night to where I could test the switch in place and it turns out to be working just fine.
The problem must be elsewhere.
 
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