my keyboards getting a little bit dirty and sticky after about 6 months usage. Does anyone clean their keyboards or just throw em out. there are some great websites about how to clean and lube your keyboard to restore it to like new condition.
life expectancy of a keyboard?
- Thread starter jerryjg
- Start date
Keyboards should last much longer than 6 months, so it seems like kind of a waste to just buy a new one, unless the one you have right now is one of those cheapo ones that came with a system. I usually just disassemble mine and clean it.
If you do decide to clean it, just make sure you remember which keys go where (if you completely disassemble it, as opposed to just removing the two covers). Last time I did this, I laid out the keys on a table and accidentally bumped the table. All the key orders got scrambled and I had to Google for a pic of my keyboard so I could put all the keys back in the right place
.
I didn't know there were websites that had instructions on how to do it, I just use dishwashing liquid and a scrubby sponge.
If you do decide to clean it, just make sure you remember which keys go where (if you completely disassemble it, as opposed to just removing the two covers). Last time I did this, I laid out the keys on a table and accidentally bumped the table. All the key orders got scrambled and I had to Google for a pic of my keyboard so I could put all the keys back in the right place
.I didn't know there were websites that had instructions on how to do it, I just use dishwashing liquid and a scrubby sponge.
Leros
Lifer
- Jul 11, 2004
- 21,867
- 7
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Originally posted by: AmberClad
If you do decide to clean it, just make sure you remember which keys go where (if you completely disassemble it, as opposed to just removing the two covers). Last time I did this, I laid out the keys on a table and accidentally bumped the table. All the key orders got scrambled and I had to Google for a pic of my keyboard so I could put all the keys back in the right place
So, you didnt have another keyboard to look at, but you were able to google up an image of one? Something is missing here.
Originally posted by: JToxic
Originally posted by: AmberClad
If you do decide to clean it, just make sure you remember which keys go where (if you completely disassemble it, as opposed to just removing the two covers). Last time I did this, I laid out the keys on a table and accidentally bumped the table. All the key orders got scrambled and I had to Google for a pic of my keyboard so I could put all the keys back in the right place
So, you didnt have another keyboard to look at, but you were able to google up an image of one? Something is missing here.
I googled using a laptop, which doesn't have the same layout and number of keys. I mainly had trouble with the number pad and remembering where the operations keys are supposed to go.
just go buy a can of anti-static wipes to clean off the surface of your keyboard. doesn't get the cheez-it crumbs out...but at least your keys will be white again!
LOL... Talk about odd, but I have a hard time figuring out where the keys go as well. But it doesn't matter, because I have them all memorized. It is hard to explain... I never look at the keyboard when I type, but I still cannot put a keyboard together correctly the first time... I will type a perfect paper with the keys in the wrong place but I still cannot eye-ball the keys in the right spot... Pretty odd if you ask me
FYI:
Most keyboards are rating at 1,000,000 strikes per key. I bet I have went over that so many times...
Most keyboards are rating at 1,000,000 strikes per key. I bet I have went over that so many times...
Ditto. Open up the case if you hear something rattling around inside.
Don't bother tossing it out and replacing it with a $5 jobbie. Keyboards are perfectly good until the contacts wear out, and finding another one you like as well as the one you have can be difficult (or just expensive).
When I find a keyboard I like, I buy four more and put them in my closet. Since 1996 I haven't spent more than $15 for a keyboard, you don't need to spend much for quality. (But PLEASE don't buy a $3 bargain basement crap keyboard). When they get dirty or don't work quite right I just swap it out for a new one.
If you're gonna spend $300 for a gfx card or $700 for a sweet SLI setup, what's another $15 for a clean keyboard??
If you're gonna spend $300 for a gfx card or $700 for a sweet SLI setup, what's another $15 for a clean keyboard??
Cerb
Elite Member
- Aug 26, 2000
- 17,484
- 33
- 86
Actually, they didn't make them until 1985, I believe, but yup, that's the way to go. You can still get new ones, too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Model_M_Keyboard
It will last you until you can't use a PS/2 keyboard, or you spill something nasty in it (my poor '86 one is in keyboard heaven, now...).
Jeff7
Lifer
- Jan 4, 2001
- 41,596
- 20
- 81
My good old $6.95 Acer keyboard here is at least 5 years old. Been through one washing already, and it'll probably have another one soon.
By washing, I do mean it - take it apart, get the little circuitboard out of the way, and then soap and water for the rest. Works quite well. The keys don't have much texture left on them anymore - rather smooth now. But hey, it works fine, and I'll keep using it until the conductive rubber backings of the keypad disintegrate.
By washing, I do mean it - take it apart, get the little circuitboard out of the way, and then soap and water for the rest. Works quite well. The keys don't have much texture left on them anymore - rather smooth now. But hey, it works fine, and I'll keep using it until the conductive rubber backings of the keypad disintegrate.
I've gone through 5 keyboards in 2 1/2 years.
But I'm a rageholic when it comes to my computer not workking the way I want it too.
But I'm a rageholic when it comes to my computer not workking the way I want it too.
It depends on my mood... if I'm feeling lazy, I'll go buy a new one, If I want to clean it, I'll clean it... it all depends on your mood dawg~
Kaspian - a few bucks? where can you get a decent keyboard for $3?
Clean it. If you bought a new KB everytime it got dirty..well, youd be wasting a lot of money. I clean mine every now and then. Just pop off all the keys (it isnt hard to put them back in the right place). Clean each key (not too thoroughly, just check them over), then clean the hell out of the part under the keys, using soap and water.
Clean it. If you bought a new KB everytime it got dirty..well, youd be wasting a lot of money. I clean mine every now and then. Just pop off all the keys (it isnt hard to put them back in the right place). Clean each key (not too thoroughly, just check them over), then clean the hell out of the part under the keys, using soap and water.
:thumbsup:
A good quality mouse or keyboard can last years, maybe close to a decade if you take good care of it. I had a Logitech optical mouse I owned since back when I was in high school. It'd get a bit grimy/greasy every once in a while, so I'd unscrew the covers and give it a good scrubbing. It's got a few indents in the buttons where my fingers wore away the plastic over the years, but if you tried plugging it in, it still works
. That thing cost a hell of a lot more than $3 when I bought it (opticals were pretty new back then), and you'd still have a hard time buying it for less than $10 nowadays.
Well, I guess if you are on a tight spending budget, or have time to clean it (time is someting I dont have), then yes, cleaning the kb its an option. Also, you are right, you cant find a decent kb for around $3.00. All the kb that I've owned have been on the $10-$20 range. I still stand by my opinion on the issue, when it comes time to "clean" my kb, I just get a new one. The way I look at it is that I'm not buying a kb, I'm buying time.
If time is something you don't have, then what are you doing on AT?
Sounds like you are just lazy.Originally posted by: Excelsior
If time is something you don't have, then what are you doing on AT?
Well, right now I'm at work if you need to know. And when I do finnaly get some "me" time, do I spend it cleaning a $10-$20 kb? or do buy a new one and I find something more entertaining to do?
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