[Coco] Starting to unpack COCOs from storage

[Michael Miller]

There is no solving what is wrong with this keyboard - which is that it is a chiclet keyboard and I hate them. 😊


-----Original Message-----
From: Coco <coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com> On Behalf Of John E. Malmberg
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 8:48 AM
To: coco at maltedmedia.com
Subject: Re: [Coco] Starting to unpack COCOs from storage

On 4/30/2020 6:25 AM, Michael Miller wrote:
> You wouldn't happen to be willing to sell the keyboard from that dead 
> CoCo3, would you? I'm still looking to replace the chiclet on my CoCo 
> 1...

Sorry, no.  I still think I may be able to get this one running again, so not ready to part it out.

Depending on what is wrong with a chiclet keyboard, on older calculators, I remember having some success with using conductive paint 
to repair worn out pads.   Conductive paint used to be sold for making 
hidden burglar alarm wiring.

But it was very tricky to take them apart and put them back together, but back when $100 took a month to save up and the scientific calculators cost at least double that, it was worth the try.

I remember having to use an exacto knife to separate the membrane by carefully cutting at the plastic pins.  I think for reassembly I used a soldering to either melt the pin or melt some more plastic.  Had to be careful and fast there because the soldering iron was way to hot for the job.

Not something I would do now unless I was desperate.

Tandy used to sell these 58 key keyboards that were about a COCO size. 
I do not know compatible the matrix of them is to the coco.  I suspect that I would have to cut traces on them and add jumpers to make them work.

Regards,
-John


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