A500 shift keys are dead, any ideas?

DosGuru · Newcomer Joined: 31 Mar 2012 Posts: 1

So I picked up what I thought was a cherry A500. Hooked up my null modem cable, fired up Amiga Explorer to begin sending ADFs over the wire..

When I go to CLI to start entering the commands that Amiga Explorer tells me to do, I discover that BOTh my shift keys are dead! I can enter capital letters if I switch on the capslock but I cannot enter a colon without the shift key, which is crucial to getting connectivity with my PC going..

I took apart the keyboard, cleaned everything. contacts all look ok, ground strap is nice and tight, connector to the logic board seems fine.

What can I do? I just need to be able to enter a colon at the CLI .. is there perhaps some escape sequence to enter a colon?

thank you very much in advance!

bbsteal · Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 10:18 pm Post subject:

Perhaps replacing new keyboard solve the problem, I've been searching some forums and unfortunately think is common A500 keyboards have manufacturing problems ...

My A500 Caps Lock Key sometimes starts blinkin and the keys stucking and stop working...but all the characters works well.
I didn´t open my A500 because it´s new and sealed ! but think solve the problem reconnecting the keyboard to mainboard, for now i rebboting system and everything works fine Rolling Eyes

for awhile...

woody.cool · Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject:

Jurbo · Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject:

Shift keys dead - the previous owner played too much Pinball Dreams! Laughing

MIK UK · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 6:00 am Post subject:

Stick/Tape a little tin foil over the contact and you may yet get a little more life out of it. In general it's the little contact pad inside the key that's worn thin and not touching properly if a shift key has been abused from playing Pinball. Wink

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A1200T, Apollo 1260, 32MB RAM, 3.1 ROMS, 4GB HD, Z4 Board, Picasso II, IOBlix (Serial/Parallel), Squirrel SCSI, 2X CD, IDE 100MB Zip Drive, OS - DOpus Magellan II. Plus an A500+ Yum.

OLDGAMER · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 2:08 pm Post subject:

Pssyche · Newcomer Joined: 21 Dec 2012 Posts: 1

My problem is the 'ESC' key on my A500. Ive owned it since getting it new in 1989 (Batback) its practically mint apart from this key not working.

Strange thing is, I cant ever remember using it much in the first place.

Suggestions?

MIK UK · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:09 am Post subject:

I'd give the ESC contact a clean first and see how that goes just in case it's dirty. Use something like Windowlene glass cleaner spray or something that removes grease and cleans with vinegar.
The Key contacts are GOLD, made of real gold and being the best conductor in the world it attracts dust and grime from the air when slightly heated up. To the eye you cant see anything but normally there is enough dirt to block the contact from actually touching to complete the circuit. More common with aging game cartridges such as Megadrive where a dead looking cart actually works, it's just the contacts are dirty and obviously more prone to this being taken in/out and handled ect...

Also check that when you go to screw everything back together that the whole plastic contact sheet it's self does not twist and is 100% flush with no minor bends/bumps as this can stop a key from making a contact. Maybe check before you undo it in case it was not put together properly in the first place in this one corner.
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A1200T, Apollo 1260, 32MB RAM, 3.1 ROMS, 4GB HD, Z4 Board, Picasso II, IOBlix (Serial/Parallel), Squirrel SCSI, 2X CD, IDE 100MB Zip Drive, OS - DOpus Magellan II. Plus an A500+ Yum.

Coltch · Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 11:06 am Post subject: