Repairing keyboard cable

Question

Level 1

6 points

Repairing keyboard cable

I just noticed that the USB cable is damaged right at the area where it goes into the keyboard. Looks like the small black cable in there is frayed and torn a bit. Maybe got pulled out slightly and I never noticed it before...?!! Shocking! Keyboard and muse seem to operate properly though. Whats the proper way of dealing with this problem? Can I open the keyboard up and re-splice wires to the connections? I'm fairly handy with easy wiring jobs.

IMac Rev.A Bondi Mac OS 9.2.x 233mhz., 384mgs RAM

Posted on Mar 7, 2006 9:21 AM

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Answer 1

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 7, 2006 10:08 AM in response to Gothboy

I looked at it again and it appears that the wires aren't broken apart, but that some of the black wire is exposed and the cable has been pulled out of the keyboard housing enough so you can see the colored wires where they come out of the USB cable sleeve. I guess this sleeve has metal sheiding of some sort so it looks a bit like frayed wire. So I guess I'll use some electrical tape....but isn't there some clamp inside the keyboard itself to prevent the cable from stress in being pulled out?

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Answer 2

taerchen

Level 5

5,430 points

Mar 7, 2006 11:03 AM in response to Gothboy

Are you talking about damage to an USB cable or damage to the PORT in your keyboard? If to the cable, just replace the cable is the simplest. If to the port in the keyboard, it should be solid. If it isn't, probably some piece of plastic has broken some place. If the keyboard is still working all right, then all's well...for the time being. However, as you use the keyboard more and more, normal movements will potentially fray some of the wires and then possibly cause problems. If you can tape the connection problem solid so it doesn't move, then probably things will continue. Also, keyboards are not that expensive to replace either.

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Answer 3

Gothboy Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 5, 2006 5:41 AM in response to taerchen

It's where the cable enters the back of the keyboard. There's play in the cable so it can be pulled out a little, exposing the wires under the sheilded part of the cable. Is there a way to open up the keyboard and repair from the inside? I'm buying a newer G4 soon and I really don't have $ for even a keyboard replacement for the bondi right now.

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Answer 4

Apr 5, 2006 10:29 AM in response to Gothboy

Gothboy,

Keyboards are fairly forgiving when you take them apart.

You are correct about the cable having shileding wires. You might be able to move the strain relief down the cable, past the point at which the shielding wires have become exposed and then reinsert the cable into the keyboard.

Most keyboards have a few phillips screws to hold them together and then plastic tabs that snap in place. A little care and you will have it apart just fine.

Jim

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Answer 5

Apr 6, 2006 5:58 PM in response to Appaloosa mac man

Some USB keyboards also use a very small hex screw. It takes a 0.050 inch Allen Wrench.

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