A600 Keyboard Problem.

[Melonfish]

I had a problem with my amiga Keyboard years ago, the right hand Amiga key would not work on it. so i set about removing the case and the keyboard and couldn't find anything wrong, so i put it back together. Lo and behold it worked again?

Now i've dug out my a600 from the depths of the cupboard and now even more keys no longer work, would it be as simple as removing the keyboard, cleaning the ribbon contacts and replacing?

basically my idea is from Akira's thread here: http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=51596

this may save me having to buy a new keyboard but i wanted some advice first.
thanks!
pete

[fitzsteve]

Might be the membrane that is knackered. I think the are quite cheap on ebay.

Steve.

[Melonfish]

Membrane?

[fitzsteve]

Originally Posted by Melonfish

Membrane?

Its under the keys to detect the key presses, here's one on flea bay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/amiga-600-keyb...item45f19b4116

Steve.

[Melonfish]

Ah, so thats what the ribbon connects to?
i see so the keyboard itself is entirely mechanical except for the membrane?
interesting.
how do i safely remove the keys to find out if i need a blue or green membrane?

sorry for all the questions chaps but this is cracking stuff!


edit: on the off chance its the correct one i bought one of those membranes. if it aint i reckon there's some chaps on here that can use it.

[fitzsteve]

I've not taken one apart before but I can't imagine its too complicated.

I'm sure someone who has done it before will be along soon with some tips

Steve.

[Philophus]

have you tried cleaning the graphite contacts on the old keyboard ribbon?

[Melonfish]

Thanks steve, as an added measure that chap was also selling a complete if yellowed a600 keyboard so i've got that aswell.
for £6.99 i can't argue.

[fitzsteve]

Originally Posted by Melonfish

Thanks steve, as an added measure that chap was also selling a complete if yellowed a600 keyboard so i've got that aswell.
for £6.99 i can't argue.

Nice one. He does some useful bits... I've bought an A600 Motherboard, brackets & cables, trapdoor covers, and a couple of games from him in the past.

Steve.

[Melonfish]

Originally Posted by Philophus

have you tried cleaning the graphite contacts on the old keyboard ribbon?

Thats my task for tonight actually, if it works then at least i have spares


@Steve: yup, i'm looking through his stuff now, i'm gonna bookmark him i think there's a fair bit on there i haven't played in a while

[Amiga1992]

Just do what I did on my thread. Either you revive the already existing contacts or you chop a bit off and expose new parts. It worked perfectly on my computer, it's still running.

if all this fails THEN buy a new membrane, not before. I believe you can do this until you run out of ribbon but that could take a damn while!

[Melonfish]

Good news everyone!

I've invented a device that allows you to hear my voice whilst reading this post, isn't that wonderful?

Whaaa?

Oh yes of course, the keyboard issues, All now appears to be working again, somehow the ribbon had become dislodged at one end. i've told zoidberg that in future he should KEEP HIS FILTHY CLAWS OUT OF MY STUFF!


** heh, yeah the ribbon was slighly lopsided, not fully pushed in, so i pushed it in and removed it a few times to help clear the contacts and after boot up i tested all the keys and it all works once more!
its incredibly useful to be able to hit Ctrl+A+A again
i'll just consider the ordered parts spares incase the unthinkable ever happens or someone on here needs a hand
Pete (farnsworth)