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From: gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Old! AppleII Plus
Message-ID: <15213@smoke.brl.mil>
Date: 15 Feb 91 19:12:13 GMT
References: <91046.1038093IU4TOB@CMUVM.BITNET>
Organization: U.S. Army Ballistic Research Laboratory, APG, MD.
Lines: 20

In article <91046.1038093IU4TOB@CMUVM.BITNET> 3IU4TOB@CMUVM.BITNET writes:
>(several crucial keys don't work.)

If you, or somebody whose technical skills you trust, are willing to
attempt it, the following procedure MAY solve these problems:

I have found that many keyboards, probably including the style used
for the Apple II+, with time accumulate cruft on the key contacts.
In some cases, at least, the cruft can be removed by CAREFULLY but
forcefully pulling the keycap straight up to remove it, leaving the
key contacts exposed.  There is probably a plastic plunger mechanism
that controls whether the contact is "made" or "broken".  If you take
a 1/8" wide strip of a standard business card, operate the plunger
so as to open the contacts, insert the strip of card between the
contacts, operate the plunger to allow the contacts to close on the
strip of card, then gently slide the strip of card up and down,
often the cruft will be transferred to the strip of card or at least
gotten out of the way of the contacting surfaces.  One reassembles
the key by removing the strip of card (of course), then pressing the
keycap carefully back into its original position.  Good luck!