From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.system
On 10/18/24 4:31 PM, Jolly Roger wrote:
On 2024-10-18, Alan Browne <bitbucket@blackhole.com> wrote:
About 2 weeks ago, the spacebar on my keyboard (Mac Magic Keyboard)
began causing me heck: to whit: the right most portion of the keyboard
didn't respond to my usual amount of pressure. Either needed a touch (a
teensy touch) more pressure or that my right thumb hit further to the left. >>
When one types a lot (and I do) the 'muscle memory' is important - but
also hard to re-train.
I gave up and started a warranty return with Apple via their chat
service. They agreed to replace the keyboard but suggested I give it an
air blast first. OK.
Should I remove the key? No.
Of course I didn't have a can lying around - last used such probably a
year ago and I didn't replace it.
So ordered a can. With the thin tube attached, blasted it in the gap
around the rightmost cm or so. Two rounds.
Instant improvement. Back to normal.
Basics often reward.
That's a good tip.
I regularly turn my keyboards upside down while wiping the keys with a
damp microfiber towel, and haven't had such issues (knock on wood), but
if I ever do, I'll definitely try this first.
I keep a rechargeable vac handy. In suction, charge, and dust capacity
it's no good for housecleaning, but it's perfect for cleaning my desk
and keyboard. First, I'll invert a keyboard and tap it on the desk to
knock debris loose.
I keep needlenose tweezers to pluck stuff from between keys. If
necessary, I can take a keyboard to the garage for a shot of air from a compressor tank. The compressor will deliver a greater volume than a
can. I can regulate the pressure, and the 25-foot hose lets the air warm
to ambient temperature.
I used to pop off key caps to reveal debris. I don't recall keyboard
trouble in the 20th Century. IIRC, Apple keyboards were mechanical then.
Six months ago I bought a mechanical keyboard. No more trouble! There
seems to be 6mm of clearance below the key caps.
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