Spilled Coffee On My Key Board

[ironbutterfly]

Ok, so I freakin spilled coffee on my keyboard at home and no longer have use of the v,b,n, or space bar.

I have a DELL computer, can I use any keyboard to replace it or do I have to buy a whole new Dell keyboard?

Also, I am NOT tachie at all, providing I get a new board, do I have to do anything beside plug it in?

I am at the office now, so any help would be great:type:

[AsTheNight]

When I had a Dell several years ago, we replaced the keyboard that came with it with a wireless keyboard - I don't remember the brand name but it wasn't Dell.

I think we had to install drivers but that was easy enough - I think you have to do that before you plug in the new keyboard, though.

I'm as far from a tech person as it gets, just thought I'd share the info until someone who has a clue comes along. :D

[Stormy2500]

I have an HP and I bought a wireless keyboard/mouse at Costco - Logitech brand. Installed the driver disk and everything is perfect. Except my son takes off with the mouse and keyboard though :bhead:

[venus_de_milo]

Nope, just go down to Wal-mart and buy any keyboard you like. Unplug your old one and plug in the new one. It's as easy as can be.

[ironbutterfly]

Ok I am going to see what I can find local, thanks guys. Are keyboards insanely expensive?

[216amyc]

Ok I am going to see what I can find local, thanks guys. Are keyboards insanely expensive?

No, I just saw Best Buy has a Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard for $19.99.

[ironbutterfly]

No, I just saw Best Buy has a Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard for $19.99.

Oh GOOD, I was afraid it was going to be a buttload. I have 2 office stores near me, so Ill check there first. Thanks for the replies. As a non techie I'm sure you could imangine my manic panic at no space bar:rofl3:

[jmahurin40]

my keyboard is a mess. im thinking about buying a flexable, washable keyboard.
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38.l1313&_nkw=foldable+keyboard&_sacat=See-All-Categories

[Cameo55]

Ok, so I freakin spilled coffee on my keyboard at home and no longer have use of the v,b,n, or space bar.

I have a DELL computer, can I use any keyboard to replace it or do I have to buy a whole new Dell keyboard?

Also, I am NOT tachie at all, providing I get a new board, do I have to do anything beside plug it in?

I am at the office now, so any help would be great:type:

I would not have believed it had I not seen this, but you can actually wash your keyboard. Refer to link below:

http://mindprod.com/bgloss/keyboardcleaning.html

Desperation Keyboard Cleaning

If a drastic cleaning and drying fails to revive your keyboard, you can resort to a desperation cleaning. For a desperation cleaning you will need the following:

Dawn dishwashing soap.

Now you are ready to start the desperation cleaning:

Put the complete disassembled keyboard in a sink of warm water with little Dawn Dishwashing detergent in it.
Let it soak for a while to remove grease that may have worked its way inside. Everything is submersed, including the electronics.
After it has soaked an hour, give it a going over with the toothbrush but don’t scrub the electronics.
Rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse in clear, soft, warm water. You don’t want any soap residue fouling the contacts.
Let it dry overnight. If you are in a hurry, you can use a hair dryer on warm or the lowest setting of your oven.
Replace the keycaps and continue as per a thorough cleaning,

----------------


The most important thing to remember is to use a keycap-puller. Almost any other tool will damage the keycaps or keyposts.
Never pull the back off an IBM keyboard. Little spring and flapper plates will jump out at you and you will never get it back together again.
If the keyboard does not work when you are done. Don’t panic. Give it overnight to dry.
If a key is behaving intermittently, pull the cap off and poke all around it with a toothpick. Usually you will find a little tube of dust blocking the key from sliding smoothly.
If that does not work, give the the key post a blast of compressed air to blow out any dust you cannot see, both with the key up and depressed.
Double check your keycaps with a map of the keyboard. It is pretty easy to get Ctrl and Alt reversed or your arrow keys on incorrectly.

[ironbutterfly]

Uh oh, I popped a couple of this AM with a plooker ( long skinny metal thing) not a key puller:frown3:

[HoneyI'mSweepin]

I have a dell as well and popped all the keys off .Put them in a net onion bag and put the keys and board into the dish washer .(No Soap) I did not let it go to the dry cycle . I removed everything layed out a towel for the keys and and took the board an put it out side to dry in (Good weather) . I had took a pic of the key board before . I have had the same key board for 7 years washed it two times . I also bought a $1.00 key board at a garage sale for back up and used it while the other key board dried ... Any key board will connect with your dell. Hit a second hand store .

[Vaya]

Wal mart has some keyboards starting at 10$ know I have a SO who likes to fry keyboards. *LOL*

[LadyCat]

Sorry to hear that

[venus_de_milo]

HoneyI'mSweepin has a good idea--my thrift stores often have keyboards.

And yes, I have washed mine before too--popped off all the keys (just used a screwdriver), washed them with soap, and cleaned the main part with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. That's fairly time consuming, though.

[ironbutterfly]

Thanks for the ideas guys, I knew I could count on you :grouphug:

[ironbutterfly]

Until you get it cleaned or replaced...........


CLICK START


NOW IN THE SEARCH BOX TYPE THE WORD: KEYBOARD
YOU SHOULD THEN SEE A CUTE LITTLE KEYBOARD ON YOUR DESKTOP THAT YOU CAN TYPE THE LETTERS WITH YOUR MOUSE.

I found out about that yesterday, thank you so much.

[jolee62]

Good luck to you!!

[LaLaaLaaa]

Hope you get it all fixed up soon. :gvibes:

[ironbutterfly]

I just popped all the keys off and wanted to barf- It was so nasty:goofy:

[ironbutterfly]

Back at the office :type: Soaked overnight in dish soap and water, have it drying today. Hubby said let's just go get a new one if they are under $30, but I said nah let's wait a day and see, why spend the cash if we don't have to. So cross your fingers for me:lendhand:

[fastfreddie1959]

Back at the office :type: Soaked overnight in dish soap and water, have it drying today. Hubby said let's just go get a new one if they are under $30, but I said nah let's wait a day and see, why spend the cash if we don't have to. So cross your fingers for me:lendhand:

Go to the second hand stores and get them for about $2 a piece:yesyes::rofl2:

[LadyCat]

testing cool fun lolXxxxxx

[ironbutterfly]

k, i plugged the board back in, nothing happened, not working and a beeping noise:cry:

[Cameo55]

k, i plugged the board back in, nothing happened, not working and a beeping noise:cry:

Well, you gave it your best shot. I have an old keyboard that I'm going to wash in the same manner. If your keyboard is beeping, it might be a good indication you have a key that is sticking yet for some reason (perhaps not completely dry, etc). I wouldn't throw it out just yet, give it a week or so to dry, work the keys then try it again. You'll still have to buy another keyboard though unless you want to wait a week or so for this one to dry completely. Then again, it might truly be damaged and in need of replacement.

[dala]

I tried washing a keyboard once and it didn't work for me. Luckily you can get a new one for about $10.

[ironbutterfly]

Going to get a new keyboard today, do I have to do anything special to install it other than plugging it in? Just make sure to plug it in when the computer is off?

[elangomatt]

I have never tried washing a keyboard to fix it, but I can tell you the washing thing works with PS3 remotes. I spilled soda on mine so I took the batteries out, ran it under water and then let it dry out for about a week and it is good as new. I didn't use any soap though. I didn't think it was necessary.

We never bother trying to resurrect keyboards at work since we have plenty of extras just laying around.