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_thumbnail.jpg "Vintage Keyboards")
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Memory said 2:57PM on 6-05-2008
I just spilt coke all over my laptop keyboard -- I turned it upside down for a few hours, then put it in a bag of rice overnight. I turned it on and it worked fine... except I wouldn't recommend covering the keyboard with rice, they get stuck, and my keyboard's still a little funky.
Now I just have to figure out how to get back on the internet.
x_x
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athar usmani said 3:39PM on 9-01-2007
why not just go to bestbuy and buy a replacement keyboard for $14:99 if the old one dies on you? Even Apple keyboards are under $30 these days.
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jerzystar2 said 4:27PM on 9-01-2007
Sure Althur,thats right, you can go out and buy a new keyboard, BUT what if you are doing something on your computer at a time when it just isn't possible to go out and buy a new keyboard,there could be a number of reasons.But if there is a way to fix your liquid spills in your keyboard, why waste the money to go out and buy a new one when the problem can be fixed by just cleaning it.In my opinion,computer companies make enough money and if I see an article that helps me save money with my computer problems, then I am very happy to read them to have the know how of what to do , for accidents like this etc.So I say, Keep the helpful hints coming!!
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Carman Turner said 7:02PM on 9-01-2007
The Video isn't available to me, so I don't know what is in it. I have in the past repaired a keyboard that I spilt coffee on. I first disconnected it from the computer. I then tipped it upside down so the keys were flat on the desk to allow any liquid to escape. I then removed all the screws and pulled the back off of it. Very carefully I blotted the insides with paper towell and q-tips. Removing all the liquid. You have to be very careful that you don't damage any of the gold connections or trails between keys and the wires. Once I reassembled the keyboard I had only lost the use of one key. I took it apart again and used a q-tip with alcohol on it to clean where a coffee spot has dried between 2 of the nerve trails. (I don't know the technical terms) The keyboard worked great once put together the 2nd time. I used it for another year before replacing it. I don't know if I did it correctly, but it worked for me.
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Frank Caruso said 7:37PM on 9-01-2007
After disconnecting, most keyboards can be taken apart by removing a few screws from the bottom. Gentle cleaning with weak soapy solution, good rinsing and blotting dry will make most components (Plastic, rubber, etc.) squeaky clean. Leave them disassembled overnight to make sure all are dry then reassemble. Works great most of the time if you use a little common sense. But this day and age common sense may be hard to find. I have cleaned perhaps a dozen over th years with perfect results in all but one. That one worked well except for the a key and the comma key. At that point I sprung for a new $12.95 special.
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David said 9:20PM on 9-01-2007
What a brilliant idea! Maybe I should pour a whole bottle of ketchup on my t-shirt when I spill a little ketchup on myself! Worse I can do is end up buying a new t-shirt! What a dumbass!
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Mon said 4:27PM on 9-02-2007
After I fried a second keyboard, I figured that I had nothing to lose and I rinsed it off in the sink--literally, drained off as much water as was possible and put it out in the hot summer sun to dry thoroughly. VOILA! It works good as new!
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wendell said 9:04PM on 9-02-2007
Unless you are certain that you can properly recall the position of every key on the keyboard, I suggest you make a note of the nonobvious ones before you pry them all off.
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hambril said 5:52PM on 9-03-2007
what if it is a laptop keyboard? Any suggestions? Purchased contract but worthless. Won't repair user's mistake.
I hate to have to buy my husband another laptop. We lost one in a hurricane and now this tragedy. Thanks for any help . Lynda
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malliekyla said 11:43PM on 9-03-2007
When I spilt coke on my keyboard I immediately rinsed with water and let dry - worked fine.
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chaya said 2:27AM on 9-04-2007
nahhhhh! all too much trouble. this is a guy's answer. i spilled water all over my laptop. it got into the computer and wouldn't turn on. everyone, including the manufacturer, told me it was dead. no way! every woman knows that a hair dryer does the trick. one blow dry and the laptop was
up and running. perfect.
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Carly said 11:44AM on 9-04-2007
why would someone sit there and make a video about this? lol It is common sense if you spill something on it to turn it upside down and get the liquid out. As for popping off the keys, I don't know about you people but I have a job to go to and that seems a little time consuming. I would just purchase a new keyboard like a normal person.
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msxymf said 2:49PM on 9-05-2007
wait a min!! put it in the dishwasher!! come on!! i can't recall how many keyboards i have been thru, i have tried letting them dry but they won't "resusitate", i know i spelled that wrong, lol. but anyhow, i wish that these rememdies were easy, but if possible, which i may make a practice of, buy a spare keyboard or just spend the extra and get the spill proof ones. lucky u if any of these solutions work...
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steve said 2:50PM on 9-05-2007
I USUALLY JUST STRAP THE KEYBOARD TO THE ROOF OF MY CAR AND THEN RUN IT THROUGH THE CAR WASH. AT LEAST THEN I'M ALREADY OUT AND CAN GO TO STAPLES/OFFICE DEPOT TO BUY A NEW ONE.
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Cole said 2:59PM on 9-05-2007
I've always just put mine in the dishwasher... alone... no detergent. Oh, and make sure you turn off the heated drying option. I didn't take my keys off.. just took the screws out of the back.. take the seperate layers apart and let it dry thoroughly. They come out spotless and work fine.
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Fluffysfiles said 3:17PM on 9-05-2007
I cleaned my keyboard after a coke spill by rinsing it a couple times with alcohol, then drying overnight. I keep a gallon jug of alcohol just for cleaning things, it works like a charm.
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Kristi said 3:18PM on 9-05-2007
I broke my husbands ACER laptop when I accidentally spilled a spoon full of milk on the keyboard. I literally cried over spilled milk!!!!
A year old, $1700 laptop ruined just like that! Maybe they should make them better...
He still gives me grief over it.
They need to make laptop keyboards fool-proof!
Surprised to hear that a hair dryer would of worked??
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Jim said 3:29PM on 9-05-2007
Reading all these comments, my avise. Don't go near computer with anything that would spill onto keys. I't would avoid a lot of problems. Keep liquid away enough so it wouldn't get near keys. Turn your head and drink away, not on top of keys.
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Sim said 3:50PM on 9-05-2007
I don't know about keyboards in the dishwasher but I did a load of record albums once (no soap cool water) Cleaned them up so well it was always a mystery what record I was going to hear as all the lables were washed away!
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Liza said 4:04PM on 9-05-2007
Thank goodness someone finally said this out loud! I use an ergonomic keyboard (always have an old extra one in case of emergencies), and many times I've spilled my coke on the keyboard. I do exactly what he said, turn it upside down, wait a day, then put it in the upper portion of the dishwasher upside down with nothing else inside. Then I let it dry upside down for 2 days, and viola, perfect! It works every time!
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