Cleaning keyboards....or "I have looked into the abyss...."

You're a wicked fellow, Walter!

Thanks for your compliment, margo! I need such riday :wink:

All good advice, but how about for a laptop?

MikeyB - do we know you???

Welcome to A2K!

I am new. Thanks for the welcome!

What the hell is it with me and keyboards?

This one...which is pretty damn new...is now playing up.

A while back I lost my "B" which has now returned; but the comma has gone missing!!!

Laptop keyboard or desktop keyboards can be replaced.

If you are using a laptop in the mean time get a keyboard with a USB cable and chug along there until you can find an appropriate built in replacement keyboard. In theory, the laptop keyboards are easy to pop off and pop back on a new replacement keyboard if you have a small screwdriver and roughly the right idea where the keyboard clasps that are holding the keyboard into place.

Well yes they CAN be replaced.

What I want to know is why I have a special gremlin which kills them in their prime before their time.

Do you pound the keyboard when you type? Or are you a hunt and peck typist? Keyboards especially not so well designed ones take the most physical abuse of any part of a computer.

Also, do you eat near your keyboard? Crumbs and other assorted flotsam can eventually wreak havoc as they pile up in certain areas of the keyboard and get lodged where further use of a particular key gets that key dislodged from its stationary spot and assigned space.

Also a drop of soda here and a drop of water there plus dust and stuff might short circuit parts of the keyboard as well.

I am so not a pounder.

And I have learned to eat away from the abyss.

Then I am flummoxed. Maybe the individual letters of your keyboard don't like what you type and they end up committing keyicide? It's a sad fate when they don't try to type to you or to others their message that they need help.

So...you think it's more personal than a good old fashioned curse or gremlin?

****.

Clearly, you need a silicone keyboard and all your troubles will end...

oh I keep getting that... my k went, then my a went, and now - today - they work! My mouse pad half works (only the right side works ) so I now have to keep a mouse plugged into the laptop as i can't cut or paste anything and my operating system is kerplunkt!

I've given up trying to figure out how I kill my laptops and keyboards - I guess I just do!

Infuriating tho, to say the least.

Now I have lost different letters!!!

And I still have no comma.

Oh wow...n and m have come home dragging their tails behind them.

It sounds like you are fighting a losing battle with your keyboard/s, Deb. (There's been more than one, I think?)
Have you turned the current one upside down & given it a jolly good shake?
I'd try anything at this point.

I think I'll just buy a new bastard.


Grrrrrrrrrrr....


Or maybe I'll hold it upside down and bash it on the desk.

You could hold it upside down & give it a rollicking good shake down & see if that makes any difference, Deb.

(I hear that toast crumbs can play havoc on keyboards! )

Then go out and buy a new one, knowing that you've given it your best shot.