🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sun, 25 Feb 96 08:22:07 GMT, Sara Roberts
<sara@x-ferret.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>What is the best way to clean a keyboard. Is it feasble to scrub with
>a foam cleaner and then rinse with IPA?

There was quite a long discussion in demon.tech.pc a few montsh ago
about just this problem. Several people who had worked for firms
refurbishing & managing computer equipment gave away some of their
trad secrets. The suggestion that I liked best although I've not
actually tried it myself yet is to put the keyboard into a dishwasher.

--
Nigel Barker
nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk

In article <3135625b.39869759@news.demon.co.uk>
           nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk "Nigel Barker" writes:

> On Sun, 25 Feb 96 08:22:07 GMT, Sara Roberts
> <sara@x-ferret.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> >What is the best way to clean a keyboard. Is it feasble to scrub with
> >a foam cleaner and then rinse with IPA?
> 
> There was quite a long discussion in demon.tech.pc a few montsh ago
> about just this problem. Several people who had worked for firms
> refurbishing & managing computer equipment gave away some of their
> trad secrets. The suggestion that I liked best although I've not
> actually tried it myself yet is to put the keyboard into a dishwasher.

Yes, it was me who started it. The best advice seems to be as follows

	Use a vacuum cleaner with a fine nozzle (set fairly low
	suction if possible) to remove partticles of dirt/food
	etc (turning it over and give a good shake can also remove
	a lot of debris).

	You can use diluted detergent (such as Flash in UK) using a 
	moist (not soaking wet)	cloth if you wish.

	You can also use a number of proprietory foaming cleansers
	which have a better penetration.  BUT you must first test
	the solution on a part of the keyboard/case/etc.
	One such spray is supplied by Servisol (in UK)
	SAFETY WARNING.  Do not use spray cleansers on monitors
	which are switched on or which have recentlky been switched
	off. There is high voltage and this takes some time to 
	dissipate. It is recommended that you spray the cleanser on
	to your cloth and then apply this to the casing

	You can also try solutions which use Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
	but it is very imprtant that you test this first since it *can*
	remove the print and/or damage some surfaces.
	SAFETY WARNING - IPA should not be used in confined spaces
	or near naked flames or where there is other risk of sparks

	It is better to make several applications with small amount
	amounts of cleaning rather than one with a large amount of 
	cleanser.

This whole process can take up to an hour depending upon the condition of
the original and the degree you want to have it cleaned

Hope this helps.


BTW I was doing the research for a new company based in Portsmouth
which is now trading. They need a number of (genuine) sites to 
test market and refine their cleaning methods. This will not be free,
but will be a a much lower rate than the final 'commercial' rate which
is expected to be between 6 and 15 UK pounds (depending upon location,
condition of original, ease of access, etc)

Anyone wishing to take advantage of this opportunity (must be based
in or around the Portsmouth/Solent UK area) please contact me first 
on 01705 833838. You will be expected to complete a very short (1 page)
questionnaire before and after the cleaning.

Declaration of interest

I have a small financial interest in the new business which is
call 
	KlenZas

Short advert

	Anyone wanting computer/fax machine/printers/photocopiers
	cleaner contact KlenZas on 01705 812211 (from 6 Mar 96)
	or via Mike Hughes on 01705 833838

end of advert :-)

-- 
Mike Hughes  ... who also provides a management consultancy service
Print Direct  ... the business printers
PO Box 109 Fareham, Hampshire, England.  PO15 5JU
Tel 01705 833838  Fax 01705 872288  Intl:+44 1705 833838  +44 1705 872288

Mike Hughes wrote:
> 
> 
> This whole process can take up to an hour depending upon the condition of
> the original and the degree you want to have it cleaned

Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
brand new contacts/etc.

Tim

In article <3135B9DE.2718BB8F@ecs.soton.ac.uk>
           tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk "Tim Chown" writes:

> Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
> and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
> plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
> brand new contacts/etc.
> 

So you'll be a member of that so-called throw-away society then eh?

-- 
Adie C.  Forever sparkling & germ-free is... Domestos@firstave.demon.co.uk

Tim Chown wrote:
 
> Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
> and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
> plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
> brand new contacts/etc.


True...it is cheaper to buy a new one...but some users really get 
attached to their keyboards (I still have my heavy old IBM clicker from 
an early AT)...Some keyboard cleaner and a whole bunch of QTips will do 
ya...and that happy smile of a pleased user...

In article <825621479snz@firstave.demon.co.uk> A B Chilcott <Domestos@firstave.demon.co.uk> writes:
>From: A B Chilcott <Domestos@firstave.demon.co.uk>
>Subject: Re: How to clean a Keyboard?
>Date: Thu, 29 Feb 96 19:17:59 GMT

>In article <3135B9DE.2718BB8F@ecs.soton.ac.uk>
>           tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk "Tim Chown" writes:

>> Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
>> and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
>> plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
>> brand new contacts/etc.
>> 

>So you'll be a member of that so-called throw-away society then eh?

Not necessarily. You could donate the old keyboard to a local school, for 
instance. Getting rid of something doesn't have to mean a trip to the local 
landfill.


>-- 
>Adie C.  Forever sparkling & germ-free is... Domestos@firstave.demon.co.uk

Bob C.

* Good, fast, cheap!  (Pick 2) *

In <3135B9DE.2718BB8F@ecs.soton.ac.uk> Tim Chown <tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk> writes:

>Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
>and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
>plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
>brand new contacts/etc.

What a waste! Its not like there's a keyboard recycling bin down the
local computer shop or anything...

Just because they're cheap doesn't mean we can dump them everywhere!


				Mark

--
Mark Dobie					University of Southampton
mrd@ecs.soton.ac.uk				MS Windows? Linux and X!
http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/~mrd/cv.html	<------ Queen discographies from here

>Mike Hughes wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> This whole process can take up to an hour depending upon the condition of
>> the original and the degree you want to have it cleaned

To be honest all I ever do is shake it to get the dirt out and then run 
it under the cold tap for a bit. As long as it's dry before you reattatch 
it it's fine. I leave it in the airing cupboard for a few days (but then 
again I've got more than one keyboard.
Max

nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk (Nigel Barker) wrote:

>On Sun, 25 Feb 96 08:22:07 GMT, Sara Roberts
><sara@x-ferret.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>What is the best way to clean a keyboard. Is it feasble to scrub with
>>a foam cleaner and then rinse with IPA?
>
>There was quite a long discussion in demon.tech.pc a few montsh ago
>about just this problem. Several people who had worked for firms
>refurbishing & managing computer equipment gave away some of their
>trad secrets. The suggestion that I liked best although I've not
>actually tried it myself yet is to put the keyboard into a dishwasher.

Do you remember any details concerning that? Do you have to use a hairdryer
to make sure it is thoroughly dry?

Chief
-- 
     _____                                     
    (, /   )   ,                                  
     _/__ /      __    _    _   __  ____ _   _     Gotta run, the cat's
     /       _(_ / (__(/_  (_/_/ (_(_) (/___(/_    caught in the printer.
  ) /                     .-/                      
 (_/                     (_/                 istvanc@great-mail.great.fi

In <3135625b.39869759@news.demon.co.uk>, nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk (Nigel Barker) writes:
>On Sun, 25 Feb 96 08:22:07 GMT, Sara Roberts
><sara@x-ferret.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
>>What is the best way to clean a keyboard. Is it feasble to scrub with
>>a foam cleaner and then rinse with IPA?
>
>There was quite a long discussion in demon.tech.pc a few montsh ago
>about just this problem. Several people who had worked for firms
>refurbishing & managing computer equipment gave away some of their
>trad secrets. The suggestion that I liked best although I've not
>actually tried it myself yet is to put the keyboard into a dishwasher.
>
>--
>Nigel Barker
>nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk

I have taken my keyboard apart and cleaned the board/keys/etc in 
distilled water.  Trick is to let the whole thing dry before you plug 
it in.  Leave it apart for a night or so and you should be ok.

For really stained keycaps try Windex or some other cleaner.  Be sure 
to try it on a "non-essential" key first.  Sometimes it will take off 
the markings (on real cheap ones).

As usual, YMMV and don't yell at me if it doesn't work afterwards.


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In <3135625b.39869759@news.demon.co.uk> nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk (Nigel Barker) writes:

>On Sun, 25 Feb 96 08:22:07 GMT, Sara Roberts
><sara@x-ferret.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>>What is the best way to clean a keyboard. Is it feasble to scrub with
>>a foam cleaner and then rinse with IPA?

>There was quite a long discussion in demon.tech.pc a few montsh ago
>about just this problem. Several people who had worked for firms
>refurbishing & managing computer equipment gave away some of their
>trad secrets. The suggestion that I liked best although I've not
>actually tried it myself yet is to put the keyboard into a dishwasher.

I dont like the idea of exposing a keyboard to the corrosive
or clogging residues that may be left around in a domestic dishwasher.

To clean keyboards, I just pull the entire thing apart.
In general, if you cant get into the little contacts then they dont
need cleaning as dirt cant get to them either.

brush the dust and hair and bits of food away
and wipe the covers and any parts your seperate from the
main board down  with ethyl alcohol (or methylated spirits).

this means I know each key and each contact is clean
and there are no large things stuck inside . vacuum cleaning and
washing may not remove hairs and bits of food and things that drop
into the keyboard. taking the keyboard apart and brushing 
will clean everything out reliably.

Ethyl acolohol (and methyl alcohol which is mixed with ethanol
to produce methylated ) will not harm any keyboard .
But it does remove all the grime and stains that may appear on keyboards.
these features make it unique :

* Ethanol  dries fairly quickly
* You dont have to have soak the keyboard in it, merely wipe a slightly damp
  rag or tissue over the keyboard.
* it will not leave a residue (except if you havent wiped all of the dirt
  off )
* it doesnt have an irritating smell. (It may may make you think you are
  in a school room due to its use in a small scale low quality printing
  process )

* for a combination of reasons, it represents only a low fire hazard.
  important characteristics are that the electric circuits in
  computers and monitors will not ignite the  vapours
  and if the liquid does ignite it burns out quickly without
  producing a  high temperature flame.

* it is cheap, widely available (in the form of metholated spirits)
   efficient (not much is needed ), effective (it cleans off everything )
  
* the worst effect on the hands is that it may dry the skin out a bit
 as it dissolves the natural 'moisturiser' in the skin, but only as
badly as washing in laundry soap. it may be a bit painful on
more sensitive skin

* it is relatively 'safe' (its only risk is of poisoning in
 large doses, ie only over a millilitre. there is no
  risk of cancer , allergy or long term build up.


* it has many more uses than cleaning keyboards.

  

>--
>Nigel Barker
>nigel@openvms.demon.co.uk

leon

           tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk "Tim Chown" writes:

> > So you'll be a member of that so-called throw-away society then eh?
> 
> Sorry, it was a throw-away comment ....
> 
Chortle... 

-- 
Adie C.  Forever sparkling & germ-free is... Domestos@firstave.demon.co.uk

Mark Dobie wrote:
> 
> What a waste! Its not like there's a keyboard recycling bin down the
> local computer shop or anything...
> 
> Just because they're cheap doesn't mean we can dump them everywhere!

Hey Mark, with all that news reading you do I could sell you my
old 'n' key ... I'll throw in the space bar too for 50 pence :-)

I think redundant keyboards are the least of the world's problems,
but the suggestion sure got some interesting unrelated debate going!

Tim

A B Chilcott wrote:
> 
>            tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk "Tim Chown" writes:
> > Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
> > and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
> > plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
> > brand new contacts/etc.
> 
> So you'll be a member of that so-called throw-away society then eh?

Sorry, it was a throw-away comment ....

tim

In article <4h6mhj$gl@bright.ecs.soton.ac.uk>,
   mrd@ecs.soton.ac.uk (Mark Dobie) wrote:
>In <3135B9DE.2718BB8F@ecs.soton.ac.uk> Tim Chown <tjc@ecs.soton.ac.uk> 
writes:
>
>>Just buy a new keyboard, it's less than 30 quid for a good one,
>>and cheaper if you're not that fussed.  An hour of your time
>>plus materials will not be that different in cost, and you get
>>brand new contacts/etc.
>
>What a waste! Its not like there's a keyboard recycling bin down the
>local computer shop or anything...
>
>Just because they're cheap doesn't mean we can dump them everywhere!
>
>
>				Mark
>
CLEANING OF THE DIGITAL TACTIVE INPUT PERIPHERAL:

(a) Pluck off the keys with a chip puller, a foreceps or a paper clip bent 
into an  appropriate too.  Set the keys in a solution of detergent to soak 
while cleaning the keyboard.  Rinse and dry after a few hours.
(b) Vacuum over the keyboard with a brush attachment.  If you have a key 
that's sticking inject a little 90-100% alcohol into the key switch.  Work the 
key several times, then vacuum the excess alaohol out.  Use a 'crevice' tool 
for this.
(c) Try the keyboard again.  If you still have sticking keys you may have to 
dissasemble the keyboard.  How involved this becomes depends upon the 
particular keyboard.  If it's a good keyboard it might be worth a try.
(d) If you aren't particularly attached to this keyboard you might want to try 
the quick and dirty method.  Pour a warm solution of diswashing detergent and 
water over the keyboard.  Work the keys.  Then Shake as much solution as you 
can out of the keyboard.  Then run clean water over the keyboard while working 
the keys.  After two or three minutes of this shake as much water as you can 
out of the keyboard again and set it on end to dry, preferably in warm sun.  
Let it dry at least two days, longer if not in warm, dry sun.
(e) Then try the keyboard again.
(f) Replace the keys if it works OK.

notes:

	A diagnostic utility like "Checkit" is useful for detecting sitcking 
or non-contacting keys.  Also, some systems have a diagnostic built into the 
CMOS BIOS that will test the keyboard.
	Be careful to remove all loose parts on the keyboard prior to 
vacuuming.  Some small plastic or metal clips are just hanging on and will 
just be sucked right up.  Also, some of the larger keys (ENTER, SPACE) are 
tricky to remove & replace.  It might be better to leave them on.