iast Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Today I got in an 800XL, but after turning it on, I noticed the keyboard was unresponsive and, if left alone for a few moments, it'd just keep entering equal signs (=) repeatedly. I opened it up and noticed the cable: http://imgur.com/a/12OGn One side of plastic film had been peeled away and the traces on the cable look either burnt or oxidized. Unless cleaning a ribbon cable is viable, I'm gonna assume the cable itself is toast. Would a replacement make more sense/be easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roydea6 Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 That look normal to me all mine are darkened there also.. Occasionally I have to pull ribbon cable from the slot and GENTLY clean only the contact area of the plastic ribbon. Small pencil eraser --- nothing abrasive. alcohol and clean tissue or Q-tip. rubbed across the contacts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iast Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 I pulled it and gave it a wipe down, now how do I re-seat it in the connector? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 Pencil erasers are abrasive. Magic Eraser (melamine foam) also works well to remove the oxidation. As the mylars age, the metal content in the paint oxidizes. There isn't a whole lot you can do about it, but often taking the keyboard apart, wiping everything down with something that won't leave a reside (rubbing alcohol would be ideal, but I don't know if it's safe...) and re-assembling it will take care of the problems. It's best to wear gloves for this to keep oils off the paint. Putting it back in the connector takes patience and gentle rocking. I'd tape the cover sheet back down too if the tape has broken. The best thing is to find an XL with a PCB-based keyboard and use it instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iast Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 I see. I cleaned the connecting edge of the cable with isopropyl alcohol and q-tips, and did manage to get it seated back in the connector, but it's still putting out equal symbols over and over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 4, 2014 Share Posted March 4, 2014 I see. I cleaned the connecting edge of the cable with isopropyl alcohol and q-tips, and did manage to get it seated back in the connector, but it's still putting out equal symbols over and over. That means it's shorted internally or the computer is having problems But if it stops when you unplug the keyboard, it's probably time to take all the screws out of the keyboard and clean the mylars. Leave the key assembly upside down, or little springs will fall out everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iast Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 That means it's shorted internally or the computer is having problems But if it stops when you unplug the keyboard, it's probably time to take all the screws out of the keyboard and clean the mylars. Leave the key assembly upside down, or little springs will fall out everywhere. Yep, it stops when the cable is removed. I'll try your suggestion and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iast Posted March 5, 2014 Author Share Posted March 5, 2014 Alright, wiping down the mylar thoroughly with alcohol seems to have helped. It's mostly responsive again and no longer spamming keys on its own. There's still about half a dozen keys that are still giving some trouble, might have to go over again but for now I can at least play some games on it. Thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 5, 2014 Share Posted March 5, 2014 Good news! Sounds like the plug end may not be making total contact yet. Hopefully you can get it all working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john-m Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Just curious as to if you plugged in both the ribbon part of the keyboard connector and the clear part together. As the ribbon cable by itself may not make good connection in the slot. Also, it might be a good idea to clean the slot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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