grrrrrr iBook has sticky keys

H

HateEternal

Mac Metal Head
So on the way out to montana for an awesome boarding adventure I was watching some DVDs on my iBook. The stewardess comes around to pass out drinks and as she is passing a drink to the guy next to me she freaking spills on my keyboard and a little on my screen. I could have killed her right then and there.

Anyways now some of my keys are sticky and its really getting on my nerves. does anyone have a good technique in cleaning them? otherwise ill just try and figure something out on my own, the keys seem to come on and off pretty easily.

What really pisses me off is before the flight i was thinking ill close my computer when she comes around with the drinks, but when the time came i wasnt thinking about it.
 
Oh man, I think alchohol based cleaners are a safe bet since it evaporates while it cleans things up, but I'm not sure. Maybe the types of cleaners you would find for tape or video heads? Again, please don't try this on my word alone, but I think that might be a place to start from. How about your trusty local radio shack for advice? Call an Apple store? Anyone else?

Or sue the darn airline! :) - like they would ever accept responsibility for anything!
 
Alcohol has the potential of stripping the letters off of your keys (at least on WinTel laptops). I am sure your local computer store can provide you with a cleaner that works. Maybe a damp cloth is all you need. Obvious Joe says: 'Be sure to remove your keyboard from the laptop before undergoing any of these steps.'
 
Oh, I meant alcholol for the "under the hood cleaning" dealing with the little switches for each key, but see, this is why I deferred to someone wiser!

P.S. You may want to change your thread title since I thought this had to do with the accessibility feature "sticky keys."
 
karavite said:
Oh, I meant alcholol for the "under the hood cleaning" dealing with the little switches for each key, but see, this is why I deferred to someone wiser!
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::ha:: You are too funny karavite. Your advice for the 'under the hood' cleaning is right on the money! :D
I use alcohol for that as well, if needed, but obviously only a very light amount.
 
Yes, but my lack of clarity could have caused HateEternal to really become a top notch touch typist!!! Thanks for clearing this up.
 
haha thanks guys, ill try the alcohol when i get my hands on some, i tried a damp cloth, it kind of worked untill it dried again then they became sticky again. Man this is so annoying. If i can get it cleaned out by me i might see if this is covered under applecare but i kind of doubt it because it wasnt the hardwares fault this happened.
 
Try putting a few drops of soap onto the cloth, then getting it wet and rubbing it against itself. The stickiness should come off better.
 
I'm afraid you'll have to buy a new keyboard.
In 20 years, I killed two keyboards with "fluid sugar". I even opened the second one to try to clean it, but no way. It's dead.
 
Kensington makes cleaning pads just for this circumstance. You may need to take off the keyboard and pop off the keys giving you trouble.
By the way, do not use rubbing alcohol.
 
Cheryl said:
Kensington makes cleaning pads just for this circumstance. You may need to take off the keyboard and pop off the keys giving you trouble.
By the way, do not use rubbing alcohol.
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See, I knew someone who actually knows what they are talking about (regarding alcohol would show up! Please don't try the alchohol idea!
 
I would remove the keyboard, then make up a solution of liquid dishwashing soap and warm water. Place the keyboard with keys removed (probably wouldn't hurt to take them all off.) and submerge in the solution for an hour or so. Move the keyboard briskly back and forth while submerged to loosen the sugar substance. Replace the soapy water with warm clean water and repeat the shaking while submerged. Repeat at least 3 times. Place either next to a warm air vent or use a hair dryer on low heat settings to blow dry the keyboard. Keeping in mind that some residual moisture may stay in the keyboard. As an added option, submerge the keyboard, without the keys in alcohol and then remove and allow to air dry. This comes with no guarantees but I have done this before with success.
Good luck...
 
I got it fixed, I used some Video head cleaner fluid, mostly alcohol and i know you suggested that it was a bad idea but I had already done it and things are working fine now.

Thanks again guys. I <3 this site.
 
Tell us how it works later ( = if it works still fine or doesnt't) lets say in a month or so .. just in case someone else will need to try it too. :) Good it works thou'
 
HateEternal said:
I got it fixed, I used some Video head cleaner fluid, mostly alcohol and i know you suggested that it was a bad idea but I had already done it and things are working fine now.

Thanks again guys. I <3 this site.
Click to expand...

There are two kinds of alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is the no-no. The kind you used is correct. I believe it is the 92% which is perfect for electronics.
 
Yes, isopropyl is what you want, not rubbing unless you are massaging your iBook. Grain alcohol? Hmmm, well it may come in handy if you are traveling with your iBook in the deep south! :)
 
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