A500 keyboard issue

[orjanh]

Hi there,

I recently bought an A500 second hand. When I got it, some of the keys on the keyboard weren't working (maybe half of the keys).
When I opened it up, I saw that the previous owner had probably tried to fix it by appling graphite (or something similar) to the keyboard connector cable:


I reckoned it needed a clean up, as there seemed to be some bridging between the tracks. After a round of nail polish and a q-tip it looked like this:



After that only one key was working (left bracket key).

I ordered a silver pen for circuit boards on eBay, hoping to retrace the tracks - do you guys think that's a feasible fix or a waste of time?

Thanks!

[Zardoz]

that looks really bad. did it corrode off what is the black stuff. that looks like it need a lot of work.

[jdupuis]

Hi there,

I recently bought an A500 second hand. When I got it, some of the keys on the keyboard weren't working (maybe half of the keys).
When I opened it up, I saw that the previous owner had probably tried to fix it by appling graphite (or something similar) to the keyboard connector cable:


I reckoned it needed a clean up, as there seemed to be some bridging between the tracks. After a round of nail polish and a q-tip it looked like this:



After that only one key was working (left bracket key).

I ordered a silver pen for circuit boards on eBay, hoping to retrace the tracks - do you guys think that's a feasible fix or a waste of time?

Thanks!

Hi, you may find a replacement membrane or keyboard here:

http://stores.ebay.com/Amiga-Retro-Experience/Amiga-500-Parts-/_i.html?_fsub=7

That is the carbon conductive coating that has come off - not good. Non-repairable. I been there. No worky, worky for repair.  Best to find a good replacement assembly or membrane. If you replace just the membrane, make sure you get the right part number. Hope this helps.

Cheers!!

John

[orjanh]

Thank you, I will take your word for it

I ordered a used keyboard membrane off Ebay now. I guess I'll give the conductive silver pen a go when I get it, just to give it a shot.

[vince_6]

This is what you need.
I've repaired lots of keyborads with this.

[orjanh]

Yup, that looks similar to the one I ordered.

I'll try fixing the old membrane with the conductive silver thingy when I get it. If I'm able to mend it I guess I'll have a spare membrane

[jdupuis]

Thank you, I will take your word for it

I ordered a used keyboard membrane off Ebay now. I guess I'll give the conductive silver pen a go when I get it, just to give it a shot.

 
 Great! Glad that helped. My A500 had "Dead" keys as well. When I ordered a replacement keyboard, I used the new keyboard to troubleshoot and discover the dead keys off of my old keyboard. Pressing too hard and wear over time. It happens. Hope you can repair your old membrane.
 
 Cheers!!

[orjanh]

Just a small update.

I got the silver paint today. I covered the tracks on the membrane connector very carefully and let it dry for 2-3 hours. However, when putting the keyboard back on, booting into Workbench and firing up Shell, the keys still weren't working.

I then put in the "new" membrane I got from Ebay, and voila - all keys working!

[vince_6]

Great news!!!

[D00kie]

I had just had to replace the membrane on my AT/Amiga2000 keyboard. It's worth pointing out that there are two different sorts, and the 500/2000 and newer AT keyboards use the Mitsumi membrane. Some guy on EBay has 35 of 'em. I thought about getting two!

[jdupuis]

Just a small update.

I got the silver paint today. I covered the tracks on the membrane connector very carefully and let it dry for 2-3 hours. However, when putting the keyboard back on, booting into Workbench and firing up Shell, the keys still weren't working.

I then put in the "new" membrane I got from Ebay, and voila - all keys working!

 Awesome!
 
 I have a spare keyboard on hand for my A500 for hard times. Good to hear!
 
 Cheers!!

[alphadec]

I own a A1200 and A500.

I think these keyboards on A500 is much more difficult to repair then the A1200.