Advice on Mega STe Keyboard servicing

[AtariSociety]

The Mega STe I recently purchased appears to have a bad 2/@ key that is bad. I know $30 mylars can be purchased at Best and B&C but before I open the keyboard, figured I would ask for advice on how to properly open the keyboard.

 

Don't want to break any plastics, etc...

 

I did check youtube for atari keyboard repair but did not find anything. I like to watch videos when I can on repairing stuff.

 

I see 3 screws on the bottom of the keyboard.

 

With those 3 removed, do the top and bottom 1/2 split easily or do you need to grasp from one side and pop it off. I know some plastics may snap together are certain areas and don't want to crack and break the keyboard.

 

Any other tips would be sweet.

 

I did get a tip back from Best stating to try this...

 

"Before you consider buy any Atari replacement parts (like the best MegaSTE Keyboard mylar)

lets run a quick MegaSTE Keyboard test. Take apart your Atari MegaSTE Keyboard down to the mylar.

Next remove the #2 Keycap. Then swap one of the MegaSTE keycap numeric keypad plungers (with the conductive pads that make contact with

the MegaSTE mylar) that are never used and swap it with the #2 plunger. Reassemble up the MegaSTE keyboard and test it."

Is there some special tool to remove the #2 keycap on numeric keypad as he recommended?

I guess when I get in there I can see about this plunger and such.

I mean for $30 plus shipping, I would rather just replace the mylar if the odds are it is the issue. Don't want to break keys and such.

Thanks

TJ

Edited May 25, 2016 by macsociety

[Zogging Hell]

I'd probably check under the rubber feet if there is too much resistance just in case there are further screws under them. I did change the mylar years ago on my TT but I'm afraid I can't remember the procedure for opening the keyboard. I don't remember it being particularly difficult though. It went again a few years back though, the design appears to be a bit weak. If you do dismantle the keyboard you might be able to repair the existing mylar with conductive paint, or as a very temporary bodge, pencil. The latter won't last but might allow you to pin point the problem if there is something that looks like an obvious break..

 

My Mega STe keyboard, which is missing some of the 'F' keys, suggests that the keys are attached a bit like the space bar on a normal ST. there is a plastic bit that goes into the key, which has a rubber cup around it. There also are to tabs on the black plastic that lies around this mech that something from the key appears to fit into (probably a thin bit of metal). I would therefore be a tad careful removing the keys without dismantling the keyboard as if you pull too hard you might break these tabs.

Edited May 26, 2016 by Zogging Hell

[Fletch]

I might have a mylar lying about. I briefly owned a Mega STe that had a bad keyboard connector on the motherboard. Before I realized the trouble was with the Mega and not the keyboard I swapped out the mylar. If I can locate the old mylar you are welcome to it.

 

I'll look through my stuff this weekend.

 

-Pete

[AtariSociety]

Cool, I appreciate the kind offer.

 

TJ

 

I might have a mylar lying about. I briefly owned a Mega STe that had a bad keyboard connector on the motherboard. Before I realized the trouble was with the Mega and not the keyboard I swapped out the mylar. If I can locate the old mylar you are welcome to it.

 

I'll look through my stuff this weekend.

 

-Pete

 

[galax]

I seem to remember a screw hiding under a security sticker, I don't recall it being hard to open.

 

"Before you consider buy any Atari replacement parts (like the best MegaSTE Keyboard mylar)

lets run a quick MegaSTE Keyboard test. Take apart your Atari MegaSTE Keyboard down to the mylar.

Next remove the #2 Keycap. Then swap one of the MegaSTE keycap numeric keypad plungers (with the conductive pads that make contact with

the MegaSTE mylar) that are never used and swap it with the #2 plunger. Reassemble up the MegaSTE keyboard and test it."

Is there some special tool to remove the #2 keycap on numeric keypad as he recommended?

 

Usually the problems are with broken traces on the mylar itself, this page about the (identical) TT keyboard has good photos and info: http://www.mr2.net/marknias/atari_tt030.html#Keyboard

 

When I do remove keycaps, I use a Cherry MX keycap puller, but a small loop of string looped twice under the key works well too. Just make sure that you are pulling straight up, without rotating the key. Removing the outer case first might make it easier to get at the keys. Also don't pull too hard if it doesn't want to go, on some STs the keycaps are glued on.

[AtariSociety]

I see just 3 screws on bottom so hopefully there are non hidden under the rubber feet.

 

I see one covered by a past Atari sticker. Appears a PO of this system opened it as the seal is broken. Then two others on each side.

 

So 3 total is what I see.

 

TJ

[Fletch]

No luck finding the mylar. I know I still have it, but I cannot seem to find it. Sorry.

[AtariSociety]

No problem. Thanks for looking and again, thanks for the offer.

 

TJ

 

No luck finding the mylar. I know I still have it, but I cannot seem to find it. Sorry.