40660 29APR88-0130 Hardware Hacking
keyboard
From: TICTOC To: ALL
I have the $4.95 keyboard. Some time ago my cat spilled coffee into it aI
rinsed it out with alcohol. Most of the keys are out, intermittant, or
incorrect. I do not want to spend 30 bucks for a new one as I am getting a CoCo
3 befor year end.
I miss the keyboard as I have lots of programs for it including TW64. I would
appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
40664 29APR88-0937 Hardware Hacking
RE: keyboard (Re: Msg 40660)
From: DONHUTCHISON To: TICTOC
Try to convince your cat to be more careful with its coffee . . .
40677 30APR88-0709 Hardware Hacking
RE: keyboard (Re: Msg 40660)
From: MARTYGOODMAN To: TICTOC
Your keyboard MAY be permanantly ruined. However, what I would
try IF I had a lot of time and patience is the following:
Unscrew the back of the keybaord (this involves taking out LOTS
of tiny litte screws. Put them away CAREFULLY!)
Remove the metal plate.
Now remove the mylar circuit board that IS the keyboard circuit.
Unfold it. Soak it in tap water that has a small amount
of dishwasher fluid in it for a while,
then rinse in fresh tap water. Allow to dry thoroughly.
The fold it back up and re-install it.
This may fix it.
Please give me your real name and the state and city
you live in, for your question seems to make
for an interesting CoCo consults question.
—marty
40703 30APR88-2138 Hardware Hacking
RE: keyboard (Re: Msg 40677)
From: TICTOC To: MARTYGOODMAN
John Gordon Reid, Woodside,NY
Thank you for the info. I am a Watch/clockmaker by trade and so all the little
parts is no problem. How about putting the c
circuit board in an ultrasonic cleaning machine with a gentle watch cleaning
solution.
40750 2MAY88-0435 Hardware Hacking
RE: keyboard (Re: Msg 40703)
From: MARTYGOODMAN To: TICTOC
Hmmm…
I SUSPECT that your ultrasonic cleaner will
do no harm, and indeed may accomplish very
effective cleaing. My only concern is the
REMOTE and UNLIKELY possibility that the ultrasound
might in some way cause the conductive
traces on that mylar to be loosened from the
mylar itself. I DOUBT this,…
but in the back of my mind is MILD concern on that
matter.
I’d suggest this:
Try the “gentler” approach of merely trying to
dissolve and/or gently rub any sticky-gooey stuff
off, and then, IF that doesn’t do the trick..
what the heck… give the ultra sound a try.
It may well be THE best approach. I just am not certain.
If you are a repairer of watches, then you will
not be intimidated by all those teeny little screws
on the keyboard back. Heck…to YOU those are probably
stove bolts!
Know anything about PULSAR watches? I got this
Pulsar watch that stopped. The problem is NOT
the battery, for I had that replaced. It’s one
of those diving watches, with screw in crown,
rated to 150 meters or some such. One of
the less expensive (retail about $150 years ago)
quartz thingies. Which have largely been replaced
by cheap (but effective) digital Casio’s. The thing
as a rotating ring, too, for timing. Anyway…
it’s broke! It will go for a bit if you slap it
around, then it stops. A local watch repair person
said he couldn’t fix it.
Care to take a look at it? I’d even trust you to
either fix it at a reasonable fee, or give me
an honest report that it does not pay to fix it,
in which case I’d let you keep it. I’d trust you
to be straight with me about such matters.
Interested?
After all, the watch is just sitting around (somewhere)
doing me no good at all right now. I’d prefer to see it
in the hands of SIG member, if said member could use
its parts, assuming it is unrepairable. I’d guess there
is a SMALL chance the problem is trivial, and merely
one of a bad conact.
—marty
42770 10JUL88-2226 Hardware Hacking
RE: keyboard (Re: Msg 40750)
From: TICTOC To: MARTYGOODMAN
I WOULD LOVE TO TRY TO FIX YOUR WATCH. I HAVE ASKED A FRIEND FOR PRICE
SUGGESTION BUT HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME KNOWING HOW MUCH TO CHARGE. IF NO
PARTS ARE NEEDED ABOUT 25.00 + SHIPPING ETC I THIMK WOULD BE ABOUT RIGHT. I
MUCH PREFER TO REPAIR
ANTIQUE CLOCKS AS I ENJOY MAKING MISSING OR BROKEN PARTS FRON SCRATCH AND I CAN
GET UP TO $300.00 PER. OF COURSE BROKEN IT’S WORTH NOTHINGAND FIXED CAN BE
WORTH A COUPLE GRAND. I DON’T GEGET MANY OF THOSE THOUGH, UNFORTUNATELY.
I’LL TRY LEAVING YOU A PRIVATE MSG IN EMAIL WITH MY ADDRESS.
…..
42806 11JUL88-1908 Hardware Hacking
RE: keyboard (Re: Msg 42770)
From: MARTYGOODMAN To: TICTOC
Thank you VERY much, John, for your kind offer.
Your EMAIL came thru JUST FINE, and I will send that watch to
you shortly.
—marty