[24hoursupport] Re: Keyboard Question
- From: "Ron Allen" <chizotz@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: 24hoursupport@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2003 22:34:35 -0600
On 02/04/2003 at 10:06 PM Michele wrote:
>My daughter has an old Compaq laptop, LTE 5300. Last night, she spilled
>pop
>on it and now the keys are sticking. Does anyone know if the keys can be
>removed for cleaning?
Hello Michele,
Yes, but how easy it is depends on the keyboard.
On some keyboards, you can take the top off, with all the keys still=
attached, and literally wash the keys off under running water. Then you=
can use a damp cloth and cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol (some=
suggest other substances, but I've never had a problem with plain old=
rubbing alcohol) to clean the inside of the keyboard case.
In other cases, the keys will be attached to the main board inside the=
case, and the top is just a frame that sits around the outside edges of=
the keys themselves. In this case, you'll need to swab between and under=
each key as best you can with cotton swabs dipped in alcohol.
The worst case scenario is that the keys will all come loose when you=
remove the top. It can still be done, but you'll have a heck of a time=
getting they keys all back right again.
In any event, you'll have to remove the case top. Generally there are 6 or=
8 screws holding the two case halves together. Look on the bottom of the=
keyboard around the edges, and don't remove any screws in the middle of=
the keyboard unless you have to. Once you get the case top off, you can=
see if the inner structure will come out as a unit; if it does, you might=
want to take more screws out of the back and clean under it as well.
Although keyboards are pretty hardy critters, try not to get any more water=
or alcohol on the electronic parts than you have to.
When putting the screws back in, be careful to only snug them up. The=
plastic of the case will easily strip out and you'll have a loose keyboard=
case form then on.
An alternative is to just buy a new keyboard. "OK" keyboards can be had=
from K-Mart and Wal-Mart for about $15, maybe $20, or so. Or you can get a=
fancy one for $100 or more, but for a child/teen computer, where the pop=
incident might be repeated, it might be cost effective to just buy a=
cheapie and let it go at that.
I don't honestly suggest it, but I have washed really dirty and sticky=
keyboards out by holding them under the bathroom faucet and letting them=
air dry overnight. I've done this to two keyboards, and I didn't kill=
either one by doing this to them, but it isn't exactly the way the=
manufacturer would suggest <g>. If you don't want to mess with taking it=
apart, and are willing to buy a new keyboard if you have to, I'd say you=
have nothing to lose by trying it though.
HTH,
Ron
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