C64 Keyboard Question

Neil79 · 17 August 2014, 22:32

Wasn't sure where to ask this but, how do I repair a single key on the C64 keyboard? Basically I think the spring is borked on the DEL key, so I'm just going to replace the spring.

Can it be done with it attached or does the entire thing have to be taken apart?

Neil79 · 17 August 2014, 23:23

FIXED IT!

Happy to report that the C64 key is now fixed! Used a device to pull the key straight up and guess what, NO SPRING! Fitted a new spring and the delete key now works

BarryB · 18 August 2014, 00:11

Yep, the keys just pop off! Just be careful in future you don't snap the key off the stem so the little cross bit stays in the key, it's a swine to get out and means stripping the keyboard down to replace the stem!!

I bought 20 stems/springs just in case!

Vot · 18 August 2014, 00:13

If its just the spring you should be able to pull the key off from the top.

Be very careful or you are likely to break the post (its just plastic). To pull it out straight you really need something like a plcc puller to pull the key from both sides, if you lever it off from one side i.e with a knife etc you run a big risk of breaking the post.

Note: also if you break the post off, they can be very hard to remove the broken bit from the key if off breaks off flush.

Lol ... I typed this then forgot to click post.. Looks like in the mean time you fixed it

Jope · 18 August 2014, 11:10

The cross is quite easy to dig out with a pin. Another option is take a bit of wire, bend a little hook in the end, then hold the wire with pliers, heat it with a lighter and stick it in the cross, wait for it to cool down and pull the cross out..

BarryB · 18 August 2014, 12:49

Or better still, don't break it in the first place

Neil79 · 18 August 2014, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryB

Or better still, don't break it in the first place

Who broke it?

BarryB · 18 August 2014, 23:43

I've broke one by being careless, pulling the breadbin out from the divan and catching a key on the rail for the sliding door, and there goes the + key onto the floor!!! So that's why I now have spare stems and springs!

demolition · 19 August 2014, 01:23

I find that a fast and relatively safe method of pulling off the keys can be done using two thin screwdrivers. Push one underneath either side of one key about 5cm in (to create a kind of lever), then pull up on both to push the key up. The further in the screwdrivers go, the longer the lever, and the more straight the pull will be.

I have broken a couple of stems on C64s until I started using this method, which I have used successfully on ~10 keyboards so far (C64 and Amiga).

17 August 2014, 22:32	#1
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,978	C64 Keyboard Question Wasn't sure where to ask this but, how do I repair a single key on the C64 keyboard? Basically I think the spring is borked on the DEL key, so I'm just going to replace the spring. Can it be done with it attached or does the entire thing have to be taken apart?

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17 August 2014, 23:23	#2
Neil79 Autistic 'n IRN! Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: - Posts: 2,978	FIXED IT! Happy to report that the C64 key is now fixed! Used a device to pull the key straight up and guess what, NO SPRING! Fitted a new spring and the delete key now works

18 August 2014, 00:11	#3
BarryB Amigaholic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK Posts: 4,676	Yep, the keys just pop off! Just be careful in future you don't snap the key off the stem so the little cross bit stays in the key, it's a swine to get out and means stripping the keyboard down to replace the stem!! I bought 20 stems/springs just in case!

18 August 2014, 00:13	#4
Vot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 651	If its just the spring you should be able to pull the key off from the top. Be very careful or you are likely to break the post (its just plastic). To pull it out straight you really need something like a plcc puller to pull the key from both sides, if you lever it off from one side i.e with a knife etc you run a big risk of breaking the post. Note: also if you break the post off, they can be very hard to remove the broken bit from the key if off breaks off flush. Lol ... I typed this then forgot to click post.. Looks like in the mean time you fixed it

18 August 2014, 11:10	#5
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	The cross is quite easy to dig out with a pin. Another option is take a bit of wire, bend a little hook in the end, then hold the wire with pliers, heat it with a lighter and stick it in the cross, wait for it to cool down and pull the cross out..

18 August 2014, 12:49	#6
BarryB Amigaholic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK Posts: 4,676	Or better still, don't break it in the first place

18 August 2014, 23:43	#8
BarryB Amigaholic Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: UK Posts: 4,676	I've broke one by being careless, pulling the breadbin out from the divan and catching a key on the rail for the sliding door, and there goes the + key onto the floor!!! So that's why I now have spare stems and springs!

19 August 2014, 01:23	#9
demolition Unregistered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Copenhagen / DK Age: 43 Posts: 4,190	I find that a fast and relatively safe method of pulling off the keys can be done using two thin screwdrivers. Push one underneath either side of one key about 5cm in (to create a kind of lever), then pull up on both to push the key up. The further in the screwdrivers go, the longer the lever, and the more straight the pull will be. I have broken a couple of stems on C64s until I started using this method, which I have used successfully on ~10 keyboards so far (C64 and Amiga).

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