How to repair a Powerbook series 100 keyboard

[gregoireg]

I have a working Powerbook 145b and the keyboard has 2 defect keys: Z and X. It doesn't seem to be a connection problem. Mechanically, the 2 keys seem fine.

Has anyone successfully repaired a Powerbook keyboard? Can a key be lift off without breaking the plastic key?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Removing the key caps is pretty easy. I believe that you can disassemble the keyboard if all the keys have been removed (that’s how they’re held together I believe) but I don’t know if you’d find anything obviously wrong.
My only attempt to troubleshoot a keyboard membrane ended in disaster, so good luck. Keep track of all of the layers and what order they go in.

 

[gregoireg]

Removing the key caps is pretty easy. I believe that you can disassemble the keyboard if all the keys have been removed (that’s how they’re held together I believe) but I don’t know if you’d find anything obviously wrong.
My only attempt to troubleshoot a keyboard membrane ended in disaster, so good luck. Keep track of all of the layers and what order they go in.

Thank you. This is useful information and a little bit what I'm afraid of. Is there a better angle of attack to remove a plastic key?

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Unless you have a key puller then just use a spudger, or your fingers. Don’t yank at them, use common sense but I haven’t ever broken one.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Here’s what the clips look like

 

[gregoireg]

Thank you. Fixed! I have removed indeed the keys, which are in two parts: the white plastic part and the key. Indeed, don't force but raise up the key. Then, some compressed air fixed the problem.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

Awesome! Glad you got it fixed.