Date   : Wed, 05 Apr 2006 17:27:05 +0100
From   : "David Hunt" <dm.hunt@...>
Subject: Re: Keyboard

> > Not strictly BBC B related but I've a BBC Master
> 
> I thought this list covers the Master series as well? :-/
> 
> > and the keyboard is very flaky, most of the keys are faulty.
> 
> When I got my Master Compact a while ago, some keys did not work
> properly. Inspired by this page, I disassemebled it completely:
> 
> http://www.classicacorn.freeuk.com/
> 
> I cleaned the keycaps, and perhaps even went as far as cleaning the
> rubber plungers on the back side of the keyboard. Afterwards the
> keyboard was much more responsive.
> 
> I only used soap water. Some isopropanol alcohol may be useful too,
> as described by people who restored Commodore keyboards - they all
> have similar mechanisms.

I agree, I use methylated spirit.

I have a box of dead keyswitches from Master keyboards, at some point,
probably installing the next huge Micro$oft product, I'll strip them all and
clean them. 

They do seem to give up at an alarming rate. I just find they've got a thin
layer of grease on them or they're slightly corroded when I strip them
apart. 

I was given a load of Master 128s years ago and just pinch the odd key as
and when required. 

Funny, though, the S, X and \ keys were dead on most of the keyboards, it
wasn't a soldering problem the switches were dead in those locations. 

Perhaps they were running a prototype Windows and those were the
CTRL+ALT+DEL keys....

Dave ;)