This article is available online at:
http://www.cybernetman.com/kb/index.cfm/fuseaction/home.viewArticles/articleId/110
How do I fix sticky keys?
Cause - Keys have become soiled/dirty over time, causing them to stick and/or not snap back properly
The following information is recommended for advanced users only, and ONLY APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING CYBERNET MODELS: ZPC-9000, ZPC-9100 and ZPC-GX31. Do NOT follow this procedure for the ZPC-D5.
It is provided as a courtesy, and no warranty is expressed or implied. Trying anything suggested here or anywhere on the web is always at one's own risk.
This process will restore a ZPC-GX31 keyboard to like new performance. Proper cleaning and lubrication as described here will restore a ZPC-GX31 keyboard to the snappy and smooth performance it had when new. There are several reasons why the keys will start to stick - spilled drinks, wearing off of factory lubrication, weakening of the rubber pieces which give each key its snap action, and contamination by dust and hair. The following will completely solve these problems and return the keyboard to perfect operation.
This will require about 2 hours time once the proper cleaning materials are collected.
Cleaning materials:
Cotton swabs
Cosmetic foam rubber cleaning pads (use only with lighter fluid, NOT alcohol)
Paper towels
Rubbing alcohol
Water
Lighter fluid
Fine tipped tweezers
Scissors
Kitchen strainer
Household cleaner, Windex or equivalent
Super Lube Dry Film spray (critical - DO NOT SUBSTITUTE!) available in the automotive section
This is a PTFE (Teflon) based lubricant which dries perfectly DRY and is ideally suited for this application.
Proceed as follows:
DISASSEMBLE IMPORTANT: Make a keyboard map so as to remember where each key goes. Carefully pry each key loose with a small screwdriver and place in a container. They pop off. DO NOT use excessive force. There will be a small rubber piece for each key. Remove all of these and place in a separate container. CAREFUL, these are small and like to jump away.
CLEAN KEYBOARD Clean the keyboard with cotton swabs SLIGHTLY DAMPENED with water. Replace these often and BE SURE they are only slightly damp. If they are too wet the excess water will contaminate the keyboard through capillary action. This will clean all water soluble contaminants like soda, coffee, and sugar residue. For the very small places, cut the foam rubber into small pieces and use the tweezers, again SLIGHTLY DAMPENED, for cleaning. Each and every key space must be cleaned inside and out; this is critical since this is where the key touches and moves. Repeat this procedure again using rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs but NOT the foam rubber as it disintegrates when used with alcohol. Finally repeat this procedure using lighter fluid and foam rubber. Even the smallest key guides can be cleaned with small pieces of foam rubber and tweezers. This action will remove any petroleum based contaminants as well as the grease that is sometimes used on the wider keys which may have guide wires.
CLEAN KEYS Some keys have wires attached and some grease on them, clean these first with cotton swabs and lighter fluid. Remove all traces of the grease. Place all keys in a kitchen strainer. Spray with household cleaner and let stand for 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with hot water and place keys on paper towels to dry. Let dry completely.
CLEAN RUBBER COMPONENTS Place all rubber components in a kitchen strainer. Spray with household cleaner and let stand for 5 minutes. Use stopper in the sink so that none are inadvertently lost. Rinse these thoroughly with hot water and place on paper towels. Fold the towels over and press to squeeze most of the water out of the pieces. Let dry completely.
LUBRICATE KEYS Place all keys bottom-up on a paper bag. Lightly coat the keys, at a 45 degree angle with Super Lube Dry Film lubricant. Do this from all 4 sides to assure penetration and coverage into the small and critical guide spaces inside each key. Let dry (this happens nearly instantly). DO NOT overdue this step as the carrier solvent may affect the plastic.
LUBRICATE KEYBOARD
Mask off the ZPC-GX31 with paper and scotch tape. Apply lubricant (as above in LUBRICATE KEYS) to the keyboard and let dry.
The machine now has perfectly cleaned and lubricated keys and rubber components for the keyboard.
REASSEMBLE Place all rubber components into the keyboard. Install keys with wires. Make sure wire is secured in the key, usually snapped into place. Place ends of wire in the guide slots adjacent to the key location when aligning the key. Firmly press down to snap the key into place. Install the rest of the keys by aligning and firmly pressing down.
Pricing, specifications, availability and terms of offers may change without notice, are not transferable and are valid only for new purchases from Cybernet for delivery in the 50 United States. Taxes, fees, and shipping and handling charges are extra, vary and are not subject to discount. Cybernet cannot be responsible for pricing or other errors, omissions, or consequences of misuse of this website and its functions, and reserves the right to cancel orders arising from such errors. Discounts cannot be retroactively applied. Orders are subject to cancellation by Cybernet. Unless you have a separate agreement with Cybernet, all sales are subject to Cybernet's Terms and Conditions of Sale.
Looking for space saving all in one PCs, all in one medical computers, hospital computers, or all in one desktop computers that can reduce clutter and free up your workspace? Cybernet Manufacturing, Inc. is the right place to find what you need. Cybernet is the industry pioneer in all in one PCs, all in one medical computers, touch screen PCs, keyboard computers, fanless all in one PCs, and IP65 industrial PCs. Since 1996, we have been developing and manufacturing reliable, high-performance all-in-one computer solutions that can be customized to fit any enterprise environment. We serve a wide range of industries, including banking, health care, education, government and POS systems for retail. Cybernet’s product lines include several all-in-one computer designs that fit in compact packages. Our iOne-GX45 is an all in one, customizable LCD PC that has the computing power of a desktop PC packaged in an LCD monitor. Similarly, the iOne-H5 and iOne-G4 are powerful touch screen PCs with a widescreen display. The ZPC-GX31 is a computer housed in a keyboard, with a “zero footprint” on your desktop. There are two medical grade touch screen PCs ideal for use in a hospital or clinic, including a medical all in one computer (the iOne-MP171) and a fanless all in one medical computer (the iOne-MP172) that both have an antimicrobial coating for sterile medical environments. The iOne-MP172 can also be used as a fanless industrial PC. All of our all in one computer products are customizable to fit your specific environment, and our account reps work with you one on one to determine the right configuration to meet your specifications and your budget. The ease of deployment and installation for our all-in-one PCs will lower your overall ownership cost.
Cybernet also offers a full range of computer accessories to complement and maximize the use of your all-in-one PC. From hard drives to medical carts and mounting arm solutions, we have everything needed to maximize your all in one computer.
Cybernet builds in exceptional reliability and quality to all of its products, but also delivers personalized support from day one. With a U.S.-based tech support team, we are standing by to help you get the most of your all-in-one computers. Should the need arise to have the all in one PC sent in for repairs, we also guarantee fast turn-around times to minimize downtime and keep your operations up and running. When an all-in-one PC is returned to Cybernet for warranty service, it is subjected to the same thorough testing as a new all-in-one PC. At Cybernet, our primary focus is on customer satisfaction.
Copyright 2001 - 2013 Cybernet Manufacturing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
