Broken X key on A1200

[AmigaBruno]

It was an external keyboard.

On A500/500+/600/1200 the membrane is held in a socket with a clip that needs to be lifted a few milimeters to lose tension on the membrane connection, if not you will scrach the membranes connector and it won't get a good connection and eventually fail (if scratched you can usually cut of the outer 3mm of the damaged part). The clip will usually stay hooked to the socket (designed that way but can get damaged) and when reseat the cable the clip has to be lifted so the membrane connector can get plugged back in propperly and then you press the clip back down onto the socket to create a firm connection.

OMG! Unfortunately, I still don't understand how to lift this clip. I think I need a diagram.

[danbeaver]

The "clamp" is a thin ring of plastic at the very top of the insert site, it should easily lift with two fingers of one hand about 1 - 2 mm and with the other hand push the ribbon cable back in, then push the "clamp" back in to help wedge the ribbon into its connector.  If done carefully you can bypass lifting the clamp, if done poorly you make break the clamp and need a drop of hot glue to hold it in place.

If you haven't figured this out, a better place to work on small, electronic parts is on a flat, clean work desk in a room with hard floor.  The best place to loose parts is in any -- preferably shag -- carpet or a grassy knoll in Texas, sitting on anything with cushions with a dog, cat, or small child under foot.  A strong magnetic pad for the parts and a strong magnetic wand with a led head lamp will allow less misadventures.

[AmigaBruno]

The "clamp" is a thin ring of plastic at the very top of the insert site, it should easily lift with two fingers of one hand about 1 - 2 mm and with the other hand push the ribbon cable back in, then push the "clamp" back in to help wedge the ribbon into its connector.  If done carefully you can bypass lifting the clamp, if done poorly you make break the clamp and need a drop of hot glue to hold it in place.

If you haven't figured this out, a better place to work on small, electronic parts is on a flat, clean work desk in a room with hard floor.  The best place to loose parts is in any -- preferably shag -- carpet or a grassy knoll in Texas, sitting on anything with cushions with a dog, cat, or small child under foot.  A strong magnetic pad for the parts and a strong magnetic wand with a led head lamp will allow less misadventures.

OK, thanks for that information. If I break the clamp, then I think I should buy a replacement from Amigakit. I don't know what this "hot glue" is.

I'm working on this in my flat, which is covered with wooden laminated flooring. There are no carpets here. I wasn't planning on taking it out to a local park. There are no dogs, cats, or small children here either. I've got a screwdriver with a magnetic extendable wand.

[Brian]

OMG! Unfortunately, I still don't understand how to lift this clip. I think I need a diagram.

I'm no artist but hope this helps... and no more just janking it out as it's just a mattre of time before you scratch it to the point where column of keys stop responding and you're left to either cut it down a bit or paint over the scratches with conductive paint. And here's a better picture of the actual clip when it's been released.

[AmigaBruno]

I'm no artist but hope this helps... and no more just janking it out as it's just a mattre of time before you scratch it to the point where column of keys stop responding and you're left to either cut it down a bit or paint over the scratches with conductive paint. And here's a better picture of the actual clip when it's been released.

Thanks for this information! I had already realised that I probably needed to pinch this clamp or clip horizontally. I did this using a flat blade screwdriver and a pair of tweezers. After several attempts, it came off! I'm going to post some pics of this soon, so that everyone knows what the latest situation is.

I really feel I'm going to be able to get this keyboard working soon, but without the X key. After I've done that, then I hope to replace the X key as well as the blank key. After I've done that, then who knows what I'll be capable of? The whole point of this is not to have to send it away anywhere for repair.

BTW, soon I hope to be able to make, modify and repair lots of things, not just Amiga computers!

[spirantho]

The clamp shouldn't come off! It should just lift up a few mm and allow the ribbon to be pushed in or pulled out... if it's come off you pulled way too hard!

[AmigaBruno]

The clamp shouldn't come off! It should just lift up a few mm and allow the ribbon to be pushed in or pulled out... if it's come off you pulled way too hard!

I thought I was supposed to pull it off. What should I do with it now? I think I should also buy that replacement X key and the accompanying parts from you, including a spring. The spring I found is bent.

BTW Brian, it's "yank", not "jank". I've only heard "jank" used once as an insult. I've just looked it up and found it now has a couple of new meanings, though. One meaning seems to be like junk, while another is software related.

[spirantho]

You should put the top bit of the clamp back on it. Make sure that the clamp moves up and down on the socket - it'll require a little force, but not much at all. You might have broken the plastic tab which stops it coming off entirely, but that shouldn't matter as it'll spend most of its life pressed down anyway.

Once it's back on, you can lift it a few millimetres to place/remove the ribbon, then push it down to clamp it back into place.

[AmigaBruno]

You should put the top bit of the clamp back on it. Make sure that the clamp moves up and down on the socket - it'll require a little force, but not much at all. You might have broken the plastic tab which stops it coming off entirely, but that shouldn't matter as it'll spend most of its life pressed down anyway.

Once it's back on, you can lift it a few millimetres to place/remove the ribbon, then push it down to clamp it back into place.

OK, great! I think I get the idea. I wonder if the Guinness Book of Records has a category for the longest time taken to repair a computer keyboard. I'll contact them. After this, I could try to run my Amiga A1200 off some kind of battery, set it up outside BBC Broadcasting House and do some artwork there while wearing some glasses like a pair worn by Andy Warhol!

[danbeaver]

OK, great! I think I get the idea. I wonder if the Guinness Book of Records has a category for the longest time taken to repair a computer keyboard. I'll contact them. After this, I could try to run my Amiga A1200 off some kind of battery, set it up outside BBC Broadcasting House and do some artwork there while wearing some glasses like a pair worn by Andy Warhol!

I wouldn't start with a sense of humor now, it will just confuse you further