Can I fix right shift key on Wallstreet G3?

Question

Level 1

15 points

Can I fix right shift key on Wallstreet G3?

The right shift's the only one not working on this laptop's keyboard.

Flipping the keyboard over, I see the back plate is fastened securely with multiple plastic rivets, so no access there.

Is it possible to pry the problem key up with a spudger and deal with it that way somehow? What would I do? It would seem to be a contact issue.

Any solutions welcome...it's just that one key, and the shift on the left works, as do all the others.

Additional WS question: I found this card to convert for USB capability:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ADS-Tech-2-Port-Turbo-USB-2-0-32-Bit-CardBus-Type-II-PC- Card-PCMCIA-Adapter-New-/220882235186?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336d9b6f32

It's the only one that's Mac-compatible (outside of a more expensive Iogear one)

but I'd like to know if there's a known hack to get it to work in OS 9...a firmware update somewhere...or...?

many thanks!

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 12:36 PM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

78,764 points

Feb 14, 2012 12:54 PM in response to keithgvp

I'm maintaining three Wallstreets for a friend. He's a smoker plus occasionally snalcks while computing, so we've had an ongoing program to wake up dead keys and otherwise keep the boards from being condemned by the Heath Department

I use a combo of long pipe cleaners (approx 10 inches), pastry brushes, and compressed air. I use the pipe cleaners to run the length of the board under the keycaps; most rows line up horizontally so that works. Next I use a thin but wide pastry brush to work between the vertical caps between key caps. Fianllu I use the compressed air to remove the dislodged debris.

I'd try cleaning under and around the shift key from the side. That's how we cleared a similar problem with my friend's dead shift key. I didn't have to pry it up to dislodge a tiny bit of paper that was stopping the key from reacting.

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Answer 2

keithgvp Author

Level 1

15 points

Feb 14, 2012 2:42 PM in response to Allan Jones

Thanks Allan,

I remember the pipe-cleaner fix from a long time ago. I've never tried it, but will go out and find some.

In this case, the key doesn't appear to be stuck in any way - it goes up and down like the rest...and no smoking, eating or drinking here either. So I'm not sure if there's any debris.

I know that the Mac USB keyboard sometimes just acquires gunk or earwax over years of use, and I believe individual keys can be pryed up...but maybe not so with the laptop. So I'll go with pipe cleaners, brush and air and see what happens.

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