Read This!, Essential Keyboard Maintainence

Taking care of the keyboard

The keyboard is a robust device used for inputting data on to your computer. As you type in information small letters are sent via the cable to the inside of the machine where they are organized into the words that you see.
Keep your cable straight

It is important that the keyboard cable has no kinks or that no object is placed on the cable to restrict the flow of letters to the machine. Care also must be taken that letters with sharp points do not become snared in the cable.

X's and Z's are the most common letters to be snared, and the result will be words appearing on the screen with these letters missing. O's and D's move the easiest through the cable.

To best take care of your keyboard cable stretch it out and straighten the kinks frequently. Letters are snared most frequently where the cable enters the machine, so be sure to straighten that section of cable on a weekly basis.

Be aware that any spelling mistakes may be the result of letters stuck in the cable rather than dyslexic fingers.

Letters caught in the cable decay away quickly once the machine is turned off, so no lasting damage occurs in the buildup of snared letters.

Storing the letters

Owing to the wonders of new technology your keyboard may never need fresh letters.

The storage of a modern keyboard is such that there are enough letters supplied by the manufacturer for years of typing.

Older keyboards are not so well serviced however. Be careful when buying a second hand keyboard to check with the seller that there are sufficient letters left in it for use.

Test your keyboard before purchasing by checking the vowels, as they are the most used letters. If all are present then your keyboard may be OK.

Older keyboards have the ability to be re-inked. If you have a bottle of printers ink it may be able to be added to the keyboard via the ESC key. Gently pry the ESC key off the keyboard and pour the ink into the hole and replace the key.
Cleaning your keyboard.

Keyboards will need to be cleaned regularly to remove build up of dirt and grit. To clean your keyboard place it in the dishwasher on the normal setting.



(See www.stuffucanuse.com)





I hope that takes care of all your keyboard problems.

- Gehn

Pity Nick isn't around any more, heh could have benefitted from this advice

>Be aware that any spelling mistakes may be the result of letters stuck in the cable rather than dyslexic fingers

That's my problem!

This reminds me of something I saw many MANY years ago. Back when many people in this forum were in diapers, or better yet, an egg.

When I was young, I worked at Boeing. They have these newsletters called "Management Information Bulletins", or MIBs. One came across my desk that I nearly fell out of my chair when I read it. I will have to see if I can find it at home and retype it for you guys. It was very detailed instructions on how to clean your mouse balls.... In brief, you had to be very gentle, and not handle the balls long for fear of creating discharge.........

And you must realize, Boeing MIBs are meant for serious matter, not jokes. I have not a clue how that ever got into print.

I was able to find some that were similar on the internet, but not exactly the same....

I have heard of that one. There are supposed to be some honeys from IBM, too. Heard the one about silk underwear, leather office chairs and blown mainboards? Static cost lots of money before they figured it out and made a policy...