ibook smell

Has anybody run into the iBOok smell since replacing the keyboard with the one from MicroDoc? I hate to think that my iBook is going to cost me an additional $100/yr to keep the smell away.

Now that my customers can smell it I think it's time to replace it. I keep this thing as clean as possible (almost to a fault) and still the iBOok won't alleviate.

Hi, Dave. Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Well, if you are considering replacing the keyboard, anyway, you may want to take a look at this discussion, wherein a user posts his experience in rinsing out his keyboard after having spilled sweetened tea on it. Maybe washing the keyboard would alleviate the stench, and if you feel like it's so bad you have to replace it, what have you got to lose?

WOW, is this thread still going on?

That´s a record!

Saludos,
Paulo

Welcome to discusion graveyard 🙂

Was the problem solved ?

Not to my knowledge, though I was one of the first few posters and have not read the entire thread. I ended up buying a new keyboard, which solved the problem for about 9-10 months before the same old smelly thing happened again. Now that I have an iMac, I don't have to use the smelly iBook too often, thankfully. Now I can focus on the problems with my iMac instead (loud fan, soft white line across bottom left of LCD--see discussions on these topics if you're interested). Did I mention that I never had a SINGLE problem with my LC III or beige G3? Are computers getting more complicated (and therefore more prone to problems), or has Apple's quality control deteriorated?

Adding to the fire...

Well, my ibook stinks, nastily. My ibook was in the shop to have a hard drive replaced after failure. To date, two logic boards, a replacement on the switch that put it to sleep (but that problem is back), and now a hard drive.

To be honest, I had only been marginally aware of the smell until the unit went into the shop. When it came back, I guess I wasn't used to it anymore, and it smelled like somebody was melting crayons in their dirty armpits. I'm not prone to exagerrating, it truly is revolting.

Thinking of using Febreze on it, and seeing how that goes. Has anybody tried this?

I have been very committed to keeping this laptop healthy, and I'm not feeling the love.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hello, Ian. Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Have you read this entire thread? There are many, many suggestions here (everything from fabric softener sheets to removing and washing the keyboard). Until you've tried everything here, it's hardly appropriate to ask for suggestions. They are already here.

Replacing the keyboard seems to be the only 100% effective solution, although at least one person said a year after replacement, the smell came back on the new keyboard. So even keyboard replacement, while a complete solution, may not be a permanent one.

Ronda,

I have read the thread in great detail, and attempted several of the proposed solutions, to no avail.

Perhaps I should have been more specific: Has anybody tried using Febreze, I do not wish to use a potentially corrosive substance on my iBook, and thus am asking those who have not posted whether this solution has been attempted.

Also, any Canadians that have found a local source for a keyboard replacement? My local reseller in Toronto had no useful suggestions.

Thanks, Ian

This long and often humorous thread has been very useful. I recently purchased my "StinkBook" from the original owner who had thoughtfully purchased an extended AppleCare warranty. The stink was apparent from the first, and I quickly isolated it to the keyboard.
After having the warranty transferred, I called AppleCare.
After his initial lame attempt to blame the problem on something having been spilled on the keyboard, I referred him to this discussion string. He's sending me a new keyboard at no charge.
Now maybe my family will stop accusing me of poor hygeine.

Has anyone had a keyboard replaced by AppleCare after Jan 18, 2005? I spoke with a rep that said they stopped replacing keyboards - somebody please give me an example. I'm getting tired of this iStink.

Mine was replaced in the fall. I don't see why they "stopped" replacing them...

mine has been fine i have the 800 G4 but my friend has the 500 and yes its stinky, smells like b.o. but i think its also like a plastic smell, and like pencil lead actually

LOL...I guess I was wrong to accuse my husband of smelly hands/fingers and apologize to him now...I bought iKlean, cleaned the keyboard (inside and under) and also got an iSkin and put it over the keyboard. I haven't smelt the funky odor since (only did this 1 week ago)...hope this helps!

Well, well, well,
This thread would really amusing if it wasn't so true. My iBook stinks too, but luckily I am still under Apple care. I will definately be taking it in to replace the keyboard asap.
I thought the smell was from the previous owner, who shared a house with a few other fellas. He is also one of my friends. I will have to appologise to him and explain to the other people I told after reading this very long and smelly thread.

Who would believe this is possible? I guess you can't see me shaking my head in disbelief.

I guess you can't see me shaking my head in disbelief.

Yes, I can... I just thought it was the video on my iBook flickering again.