Date   : Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:11:01 +0100
From   : "David Hunt" <dm.hunt@...>
Subject: Re: Keyboard

> > 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....
> Most used keys in most keyboard driven games. S X = up down   . / = left
> right
> 
> Hammered spacebars and return keys too.
> 
> On some the quality control was a bit off, and the keys weren't flush with
> the board, this caused the push load to be taken on the solder, and the
> other problem mentioned earlier. I'd definitely use wire - solder blobbing
> just delays the next failure.

I did mean the \ key, the one under the BREAK key rather than the Snapper
down key /. That's what I mean, so strange, I can't see why it was this
pattern unless it was a manufacturing defect in the keyswitches. Just to
re-iterate, the soldering was fine, the tracks weren't broken, a short
placed over the pins caused the key to be pressed. The keyswitch once
removed had a 30K ohm+ resistance when the key was pressed.

I've found a loads more badly soldered BBC Micro keyboards though, you have
to wonder at the distinct lack of skill on some as the only thing holding
the keyswitch to the contacts is a big blob of flux.

Dave ;)