Broken X key on A1200

[gertsy]

The key should have a hollow post, the bottom of which pushes on a carbon coated membrane to close the connection.  The return action is likely by a rubber funnel or in some cases a spring.  Using a peg such as a wooden Q-tip dowel glued into the two broken ends has always worked for me, but you may have to remove the keyboard for good pressure.

Suggest you carefully remove another key to see if there is a spring under the cap. There is on a 500. Not sure on a 1200. Doing this will allow you to see if there us a marked difference indicating something may have broken.

Examining a working part is often a way to identifying what's wrong with a non working one. The keys pop off with a constant even upward pressure.

No guarantee doing so wont break another one though. Always a risk with these older machines. If there is a spring watch she doesn't go flying.

[gertsy]

I don't want to hijack this thread so if someone thinks I should post a separate one, please say so.

I have a similar issue with an A3000 keyboard except that I can still use the post as the post itself broke slightly and the key fell off.  I don't have the key either - I got this keyboard as part of a package deal.

So if anyone knows where I could find a replacement key setup for the #1 (see pic) on an A3000, I'm all ears.

Thanks.

The slot looks the same as a 2000 keyboard key slot. So that's an option. Perhaps even a 500 key might fit. You need the spring too.

[gertsy]

You don't need to open the back. Its clear that the key post has broken off in the socket. A thin piece of wire that's not mild steal, such as a spring or hook, straightened but with a small bend in the end should allow you to snag the post and pull it out.

Unless you really want to open the whole thing up.

[gertsy]

The spring just sits over the key socket. It is not secured in any way.  The key post just fits through the circle of the spring, into the socket (Make sure the key is the right way up before fitting) and press it into the socket until it clicks.

That's it.  Nothing rocket science and as Mike pointed out removing the key should have shown you how it all goes together.