andrew@meler.us Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 I've been on a lookout for Atari 800xl with an Alps keyboard. Finally found one (Untested). Computer works, but the switch under the Shift Key is cracked and it sticks when pressed. Does anyone sell these switches? I have a lot of loose keys for Atari 800 that I can provide in exchange or I can purchase with paypal. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Can you take a couple of pictures? I may have one, but I don't know which is which. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 (edited) Can you take a couple of pictures? I may have one, but I don't know which is which. Bob Picture is attached, thank you Edited September 19, 2018 by andrew@meler.us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 You just want me to de-solder the switch? Is the keycap going to stay with the switch. It looks like there is some kind of attachment on the key. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmsc Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 Hi! I've been on a lookout for Atari 800xl with an Alps keyboard. Finally found one (Untested). Computer works, but the switch under the Shift Key is cracked and it sticks when pressed. Does anyone sell these switches? I have a lot of loose keys for Atari 800 that I can provide in exchange or I can purchase with paypal. I also have an Atari 800XL with ALPS switches, like those: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKFL_series Sadly, I have two switches that don't make contact all the time and one switch (at the letter "L") that sometimes makes contact when not actually pressed, filling the screen with "LLLLL..." I have never seen those on sale, perhaps someone knows a cheap switch that could be adapted to replace the failing ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 Picture is attached, thank you I thought the Key-cap can be pulled-up? There is a metallic "guide" on the Shift key that's not present on most of the other keys. I think the switches are the same for all keys. I haven't de-soldered any of the keys on this keyboard, so I'm not sure how big of a deal it is to remove just the switch? They key-cap will not stay with the switch, if you pull it up and wiggle the little metal out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 I thought the Key-cap can be pulled-up? There is a metallic "guide" on the Shift key that's not present on most of the other keys. I think the switches are the same for all keys. I haven't de-soldered any of the keys on this keyboard, so I'm not sure how big of a deal it is to remove just the switch? They key-cap will not stay with the switch, if you pull it up and wiggle the little metal out. You just want me to de-solder the switch? Is the keycap going to stay with the switch. It looks like there is some kind of attachment on the key. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 Hi! I also have an Atari 800XL with ALPS switches, like those: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKFL_series Sadly, I have two switches that don't make contact all the time and one switch (at the letter "L") that sometimes makes contact when not actually pressed, filling the screen with "LLLLL..." I have never seen those on sale, perhaps someone knows a cheap switch that could be adapted to replace the failing ones. That's a good find. I also wonder if we could somehow use switches like in this ebay listing? https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-matias-clicky-keyboard-switches-direct-replacement-for-Alps-white-clicky-/192653638524 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 (edited) looking at this page can show you disassembly for cleaning or repair, you may have dirt, displaced spring a a little bend tweak or stretch so do.... click https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKFL_LED and scroll down... I always wanted these to put the 1200XL status lights in the XL's Edited September 19, 2018 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmsc Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 Hi! That's a good find. I also wonder if we could somehow use switches like in this ebay listing? https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-matias-clicky-keyboard-switches-direct-replacement-for-Alps-white-clicky-/192653638524 Well, does not ship to my country... and I think those are "clicky" and the ones in my atari are silent ("linear"). But yes, perhaps a different ALPS switch could work. Most switches in aliexpress are "cherry type", like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-10Pcs-KeyCaps-3-Pin-Dust-proof-Mechanical-Switch-for-Gateron-for-Cherry-MX-hot/32882945229.html Perhaps this would work? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-LOT-Imported-original-Japanese-ALPS-computer-keyboard-switch-key-switch-12-12-5-reset-4/32842709946.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 21, 2018 Author Share Posted September 21, 2018 You just want me to de-solder the switch? Is the keycap going to stay with the switch. It looks like there is some kind of attachment on the key. Bob Hello Bob, I did de-solder my defective switch, it took me less than 5 minutes (I"m not even skilled at soldering). If you want to sell me a switch you de-solder or part of a keyboard, I'd be willing to pay to save my keyboard. I'm attaching a picture of the switch after it has been de-soldered. Please let me know if you have 1 or a couple for sale. Thanks, Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 A couple? What keycaps do you need? Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 21, 2018 Author Share Posted September 21, 2018 A couple? What keycaps do you need? Bob I need one, but if you want to sell 2 or 3 I will buy them (in case 1 breaks in the future). I don't need any key-caps. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+bob1200xl Posted September 21, 2018 Share Posted September 21, 2018 PM me with your name and address. DMSC: I have some spare switches, but I'm not sure about shipping costs. PM me. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew@meler.us Posted September 22, 2018 Author Share Posted September 22, 2018 PM me with your name and address. DMSC: I have some spare switches, but I'm not sure about shipping costs. PM me. Bob PM sent. Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnDead Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 On 9/22/2018 at 12:03 AM, bob1200xl said: DMSC: I have some spare switches, but I'm not sure about shipping costs. PM me. Can the switches available at this auction be replacements for those used by Atari? https://www.ebay.pl/itm/1x-Vintage-Metal-Topped-Linear-ALPS-Replacement-Keyboard-Switch-TESTED-WORKING/303508988274?hash=item46aa8ba172:g:ymYAAOSwXj1eZHEZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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