Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Apple II "The Keyboard Company" Keyboard Repair

During my recent move, one of my Apple II+ computers didn't fare so well and broke 2 key posts. I really don't like the keyboard in this particular computer: it sticks, it often misses key strokes, and the feel is not very good. I didn't know how different the keyboard was until I took it apart and found... no Alps key switches! But, since Apple II+ keyboards are not cheap, I paid a few bucks for replacement key posts instead of replacing the keyboard. Process:

  1. Unscrew and remove the base plate of the computer
  2. Unscrew and remove keyboard
  3. Unscrew a bunch of tiny screws to remove the circuit board from the keyboard
  4. Push the broken post out the back
  5. Push in the new post
  6. Reassemble
  7. Continue hating how the keyboard feels

One repair completed!


Weird spring / contact matrix
I tried to repair the posts, and the one on the left worked OK, but I ended up replacing both of them.
6 and T are fixed!

2 comments:

  1. Where can I buy some of those white nylon key posts. I have an Apple II+ and need at least two. Probably would buy a few extra if available for spares. Thank you in advance. MPG

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  2. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-II-RFI-Keyboard-Key-Stems-no-Extra-Shipping-Charge-For-Multiple-Items-/193730916748?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

    It seems like a good project for 3-D printing though.

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