Commodore SX 64 Keyboard

[Torr]

I've got an old C64 "Luggable". It's the same one we've had around the house for as long I can remember, my first experience with "Computers".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_SX-64

 

I recently dug it out and wanted to do some good ol' gaming, but unfortunately the keyboard is pretty wonky. Most keys don't seem to work well at all, most of them you has have to hold down for a long time before they'll register, if they do at all.

 

Is this something that can be fixed with a cleaning, or is it just toasted from age? It powers up fine, and a few games that I was able to type in the LOAD commands for worked, it's just the keyboard that's killing the whole thing. I imagine a replacement keyboard is pretty much out of the picture because Keyboards were generally THE computer in terms of C64s, and the likelihood of someone selling JUST the keyboard from one of these pretty low.

 

These were fairly uncommon so I expect there to be little information about these old girls unfortunately... should probably just buy another C64, but I wanna restore this one just because, you know?

[krslam]

They can be cleaned. Lots of little screws to keep track of, and you have to be *very* careful when removing the silicone rubber pad as it tears easily.

[karokoenig]

Chances of finding a replacement keyboard for that thing are close to detection limit. I would say: try to repair it or be prepared for long and frustrating search...

 

Before you rip all the keys off, make sure it's not just the connection. Never saw one from the inside, and cant remember if the keyboard is hardwired or not. May be just a bad plug.

 

I envy you, even if it's not quite working. That machine is pure awesome.

Edited February 16, 2015 by karokoenig

[Rockin' Kat]

If you do find that it isn't a cable connection: You take the keyboard appart by pulling the top bezel off from behind the number keys. Then you unscrew the four screws holding the PCB in, pull forward and then flip over. The connector on the keyboard is attached to the PCB by cable..

 

The keyboard is a PCB with a membrane circuit placed over it and then the keys plug in through the PCB and clip in place. To get the keys off, you flip the PCB upside down and squeeze the two tabs on each key and push them out from underneigth. They don't yank off; they push up through the bottom, rather easily. Each key does have a small spring, which may or may not be prone to jumping away from you and getting lost in your carpet.

 

After you get the keys off, you make sure you remove any screws that may be holding the membrain down to the PCB... and carfully pick the membrane up off the PCB.. if it resists coming up, try not to force it.. it may be glued in places and could rip... if you can get at the contact dots to clean them without completely removing the membrane ciruit from where it resists separation, it would be a good idea to do so. Also, try not to fold or crease it...

 

I've never gotten around to personally going all the way in doing this with my own SX64... I got as far as taking a few keys off and then just put it back together because I wasn't going to have the time to take proper care in taking it apart the rest of the way.

Edited February 17, 2015 by Rockin' Kat