Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 30 Oct 16 - 07:52 PM

Re Mechanical keyboards - I still have some Apple II Extended Keyboards which can be converted from ADB (Apple Desktop Bus) to USB via various internet hacks or by using a Griffin iMate adapter (expensive but still available on eBay or Amazon).

For PC users, mechanical keyboards seem to be produced largely for gaming purposes and seem to be available for both PS2 and USB connectivity, from reasonably priced to megabucks. If you find an old PS2 keyboard, adapters for USB seem to be very cheap.

This article was very interesting.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/askjack/2015/apr/02/laptops-suitable-for-high-speed-typists

I am typing this on a MacBook, but if I had large quantities of text to input, I would look to connecting up one of my old keyboards in preference to the laptop keyboard.

Ross

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: gnu
Date: 29 Oct 16 - 05:02 PM

I type this from the affronted keyboard which I just plugged back in. Good as new so far and it's CLEAN! Nice and shiny and no dust and such. Like the day I bought it. I may wash a couple more of them. >;-)

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Oct 16 - 04:43 PM

Mechanical keyboards impossible to obtain, Joe? I just googled
"Mechanical computer keyboards" and there seem to be a good few around for sale.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 28 Oct 16 - 05:34 PM

In 1992 I "was the USPS,FedEx,UPS shipping department" of a 60 employee computer wholesale/retailer/warehouse.

We stocked a product we termed a "keyboard condom".
Material like a Durex and only one buck.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Today, keyboards are disposable.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Oct 16 - 12:25 PM

When I first saw the thread title, I thought you meant digital piano keyboards: a bit heavier to turn upside down! But no, you don't wanna spill liquids on those either. I always hold my breath if a well-meaning bandmate chooses to pass me a glass of water (or something stronger) over the piano!

I did have one laptop wino disaster: full glass of white wine over it: despite doing all the things you're supposed to do, including prolonged drying out (it and me!) the keyboard never functioned properly again (nor did I?). Fortunately our very good friend up the road established that the computer itself was OK by plugging in via USB extra keyboard, and got me a replacement for £15. Learning curve -and-a-half as it was a couple of days before a festival I was organising, and there was lost of crucial stuff on that laptop!

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: leeneia
Date: 28 Oct 16 - 09:05 AM

Joe, thanks for explaining about the mechanical keyboard. I know what you mean about the nice feel of an IBM Selectric.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: leeneia
Date: 28 Oct 16 - 09:03 AM

Treacle on the remotes? o gross

Can you put a tray with sides on the top surface of the "stereo tower"? It might contain any spills.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Oct 16 - 10:30 AM

.. and then there's her persistent habit of eating seriously sticky jam / cream / chocolate / toffee / treacle / etc / sweet confections
whilst operating various remote controls.... 😩

.. the last one that expired from this maltreatment cost 40 quid to replace...

[and yes.. I did buy her a sturdy universal remote control.. but who knows what happened to that since it's last known whereabouts...????]

At least since smartphones arrived, I can now download a few home entertainment equipment remote control apps to her phone which is permanently 'glued' to her hand...

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 27 Oct 16 - 10:16 AM

Apart from potential overheating hazard...

Leeneia's over-readiness to take side with my mrs totally misses the point
that it is the CD player and other ancillary electronic equipment's shelf...
.. not my wifes perch for her trendy tall top-heavy all too easily knocked over coffee glass.

Unfortunately this shelf is far too conveniently close to her side of the sofa....

What's a bit perplexing is that Leeneia has already stated that she follows best health & safety practice regarding drinks near her own computer / midi gear...???

Women, eh.. too much knee jerk female international solidarity and not enough regard for a poor henpecked husband's expensive Hi Fi equipment... ????? 🙄

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Mr Red
Date: 27 Oct 16 - 03:42 AM

micro soft to the touch?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Oct 16 - 01:42 AM

Hi, leeneia,
If you cover electronic components with plastic, they are likely to overheat.

IBM used to make a mechanical keyboard, and it was a favorite among those who were fussy about computer equipment. It had a feel that was much closer to the feeling of an electric typewriter keyboard (an IBM Selecitric keyboard, to be exact). I had one at work, and it really was wonderful to use. Later on, when it was impossible to get mechanical keyboards, I satisfied myself with Microsoft keyboards, which are pretty good.

Joe

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: leeneia
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 06:29 PM

Punkfolkrocker, why not sheathe your power supplies in plastic so that your wife can continue to use her shelf normally?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Stanron
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 03:35 PM

I've dismantled a couple of keyboards after spills. These were pre usb types so they may have changed since. However, if I recall correctly, they had three plastic layers under the keys. Between these three layers liquid could get trapped and I'm not sure that hot air would have dried them out. I separated the layers and dried them out with paper towels. Mostly they worked again but the wires could get damaged where they entered the keyboard casing. If that happened they were dead.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: leeneia
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 02:43 PM

I have to fit my MIDI controller and my QWERTY keyboard on a small computer desk, so I use a very small keyboard. I think it was designed for children, and when it was discontinued, I bought several of them. I can't just go out and buy another when there's an accident. Therefore, the rule about no drinks will stand.

The video Gnu linked was followed by another, about a "mechanical keyboard". That baffles me, because to me a mechanical keyboard would be a manual typewriter.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: gnu
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 01:05 PM

I used a fairly fast stream of warm water from several angles, including almost vertical, shook it vigorously, and placed in the dish drying rack where it will reside for at least several days and then be subjected to a blow drier on 'max'. If that doesn't do the trick, I'll go with Joe's suggestion. I have five backup keyboards and the laptop soooo there is no rush.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 12:53 PM

Slightly off the point, but has anyone else got a missus who tries to completely hide "ugly" speakers behind ornaments? 😩

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 12:39 PM

I learned from an early age working professionally with photographic equipment and chemicals that food and drinks should always be banned from the work space..

That's even now still a rigid self discipline...

.. as my wife is more than aware whenever I regularly 'remind' her to move her coffee off the shelf at her side of the sofa
where the CD player and home entertainment gear power supplies are installed....

Rational zero tolerance always beats wilful stubbornness and sulky protests and carelessness.. she should understand that by now... 🙄

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Mr Red
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 12:16 PM

not recomended for laptops!
But then they should be designed to withstand some spills.

I do use a USB vacuum everyso often, it removes dust from the screen and detritus from the keys.

I did observe one instance where a guy could not get his password accepted at work. He tried a few tims before looking at the keyboard properly, and he had an itty bit of toffee between keys that had glued to one key and would push two more that did not suffer the same glueing so they did not show the symptom. He also ran a company specialising in encryption for aerospace so I bet his password had some characters that were not needed in normal use!

So beware the toffee fairy!

I drink coffee without milk or sugar so in a better position, moybeeeeeeeeeeeee!*#?

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 12:00 PM

"Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill"

Well, gentlemen... you should at our age know the risks of viewing such online 'imagery'
and position your keyboard safely well away to the side of you...

.. and at all times keep a box of strong absorbent tissues even closer..... 😜

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 11:40 AM

"My rule no. 1 is 'no drinks at the computer desk.'"

My rule no 1 is "risk it."

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: gnu
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 11:35 AM

Joe... Microsoft® Wired Keyboard 600, English : Integrated water channels drain liquids away, helping the customers keep their hardware functioning, even after an accidental spill. $CDN20 at Staples.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Joe Offer
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 11:07 AM

Leeneia sez: My rule no. 1 is "no drinks at the computer desk."

My rule is: use a heavy, wide-based glass that won't tip when the cat jumps up on the desk.

The advice from Guest above is good. Keyboards are fairly well sealed on top. Storing them face-down for a week should fix most things after a spill. Gnu's video link gives good advice for sticky spills. I drink Canadian while Mudcatting. It's not sticky, and it keeps me in a good mood.

I figure on keyboards lasting about a year, sometimes two. I buy Microsoft keyboards in three-packs from Amazon for about ten bucks per keyboard.

Now, if you're using a laptop, follow leeneia's rule.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 09:44 AM

I used to work on a help desk and for USB keyboards we would just swap them out and leave in a cupboard until the next one got a load of coffee. They always worked.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: leeneia
Date: 26 Oct 16 - 08:39 AM

Thanks for the link, gnu. It seems legit. And if you've poured a drink into your keyboard and it doesn't work, what have you got to lose?

My rule no. 1 is "no drinks at the computer desk." Cookie crumbs, however, can be dislodged by turning it upside down and giving a few sharp raps to the back surface.

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: gnu
Date: 25 Oct 16 - 11:28 PM

Hahahahaa!

Subject: RE: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 25 Oct 16 - 07:39 PM

The first priority is to refill your glass. All else will follow.

Subject: Tech: Cleaning a keyboard after a spill
From: gnu
Date: 25 Oct 16 - 07:06 PM

???