Hello, Computer!

[maytagbear]

The "C" key has been acting up for a while, and I have been trying to work around it, but it is just working my last nerve.

I've vacuumed the keyboard, blown it with canned air.....all sorts of things, but I am going to look for the dokuments and take it to the shop. Don't like the thought of being without it for even a day (ha!),but will be good for my character. Key works sometimes, does not work other times, and sometimes works too well. (repeats).

Wish me lucccccccccccccccccccck, please.

I'll be around a few more days (need to get a ride),but won't be posting much.

IN OTHER News:

Jimmyb is a very nice Sekret Santa. He sent a pleasant! seramik village building, the koin-op laundry.

Lawrense/Maytagbear

If I don't get bak here soon, Merry Merry, Happy Happy. I will be on in the New Year, for sure.

 

[retro-man]

Somethings just wear out if you use it too much. OH MY! anyways go to your local Staple Office Supply store and buy a new keyboard. I always keep a couple of new extras around the house. They are relatively cheap. I can get one usually for under 20 bucks most of the time around 15.00
Jon

 

[j2400]

It's a good idea to keep at least one spare keyboard around in case something goes wrong. I once had a key on a keyboard go out suddenly right when I needed to write a number of important letters. I ended up using a typewriter that I kept around mostly for historical interest.

I now keep at least one extra keyboard around. It wouldn't be too hard to find something that works electrically--pretty much any store that sells computer stuff has keyboards. But I'm picky--I really hate using a cheap keyboard. I have on this computer an IBM M series keyboard. Even though it may be older than some posters here, it works well--the best keyboard I've ever had. Once I discovered how much I like the design, I grabbed another one in a thrift shop...just in case.

 

[maytagbear]

Thanks---

but this is a laptop.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[whirlcool]

Laptops have a port in the back for an external keyboard. All you need to do is plug it in and the laptop should identify it at boot time. This is what I use when I am using my laptop at home.

 

[j2400]

but this is a laptop.

Ouch! That does make matters more problematic. One can generally use an external keyboard, of course, but that's not practical for many of the times/places one might use a laptop.

The thing that makes me sort of shudder is the talk of the MacBooks. The new design apparently creates a much more solid keyboard, and one that some say works much, much better. Problem is, when the keyboard wears out, it's involves replacing a large chunk of the case.

 

[rp2813]

If the laptop is under warranty and you kan do without it for a while, you kan probably get it fixed for free. If for some reason it's not kovered, you should still be able to konnekt an external keyboard. Onse I've got more workspase in the home office I intend to konnekt an ergonomik split keyboard I have to my laptop.

Good luk but don't hesitate to keep posting. I get a kik out of the ssssssssstutter effekt your see key kreates!

 

[toggleswitch2]

That's krappy. Sorry to hear.

 

[panthera]

Hey Lawrence,

Don't know if you got my private email, so repeated here:

Start
Control Panel
Ease of Access
Ease of Access Center
Quick Access to common tools:
Start On-Screen Keyboard

That will, at least, give you access to the dratted stuff which requires a "c".

You may have to use a "USB" keyboard with that model, not a problem.

But I bet they can fix you up without too much problem - on that model, it's a two minute exchange.

Those old IBM keyboards, together with the expensive Cherry models from the early '90's were wonderful, not like the current stuff. My $300 Cherry was killed in a flood and I have yet to find anything which came close.

 

[sudsman]

I just got a new HP and I HATE the keyboard with it.

I changed it back to the old one that is almost 10 years now.. And works better anyway.

 

[mattl]

It's usually pretty simple to change keyboards on laptops. If you are a bit adventurous you can usually pick one on ebay cheap.

May favorite keyboard is the Omnikey Evolution. It's built like a tank, has "real"keys with springs and clicks as you type. It's the split type keyboard with a mouse track pad in the middle that I never use. Hate the newer style, soft mushy keys. I scoured various used computer shows and picked up 3 or 4 old style keyboards, solid, heavy units that will last forever. Usually get them for $5.

This is a stock shot, mine had a laptop like track pan in the middle, I use a trackball for a mouse works great.

 

[maytagbear]

YAY!

Everything's all right, for now.

The battery had also gotten static-y, and the machine itself was not running at all...I thought it might be very dead...

However, the Geek at BestBuy popped out the battery, and popped it back in, and all is well.

He also blew out enough cat fur to knit a kitten.

He did not charge for this...but I still have 23 months left on the warranty plan.

For me, my computer has a smiliar role in my life to most peoples' television and telephone, so, I was sad and more than a little upset and worried.

Life Is Good.

Yes, I am going to get a separate keyboard VERY soon.

Thank you all for the good wishes.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[toggleswitch2]

Was it cat fur or bear fur?

Good news!

 

[autowasherfreak]

IBM Model M Keyboards

Are the only keyboards I use at home. They are the best keyboards ever made. I can't count how many times I've dropped them, or knocked them off the desk, and the only thing that happens is a key or two will pop off. The model M keyboards were modeled off the same keyboard design as the IBM Selectrics. I have no problem going between a Model M keyboard, and one of my Selectrics, but if I use a cheap keyboard and then go to on of the Selectrics, my speed drops and errors increase.