2 different problems: shift key problem and spilled liquid problem

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first - My right shift key popped off. I still have it and would put it back on myself, but there is a little silicone knob that was glued to the middle of the keyboard that is gone. Is there any way to replace that little knob that goes under the key?

second - I spilled Gatorade all over my laptop. I managed to attend to it right away. The liquid spilled onto the back of the of the computer so luckily it didn't get into the keyboard. But I didn't think to take the battery out and clean under there. I've not had any problems with the operation of the computer, but today a cd got stuck in my optical drive. I managed to get it out eventually, but I am positive the problem is that it is STICKY in there. Is there a good way to clean the optical drive without opening the computer? I don't think I have the necessary tools to do that. Plus, I'm a pretty new Mac user - and while I've crawled all around the insides of PCs, I have never even seen the inside of a mac.

Any advice or tips would be welcome.
 

chscag

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1. The key knob: Try to use some kind of a makeshift to get the key back on, otherwise you'll wind up replacing the entire keyboard because of it.

2. Cleaning the drive requires removing it and lots of care because of the optical reader. The drive itself may have to be replaced before long. Go to
www.ifixit.com and take a look at their disassembly instructions regarding the drive. They also sell replacement drives.

And, go over everything you can see or access to make sure it hasn't been contaminated with Gatorade. Problems relating to spills usually show up after a period of time.

Regards.
 
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how about this:

do you think a small ball of stick-tac would work as a makeshift "shift" knob to put under the key?
 

cwa107


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do you think a small ball of stick-tac would work as a makeshift "shift" knob to put under the key?

The rubber dome you speak of serves two purposes. For one, it acts as a spring, pushing the key cap up. Secondly, it has a metallic contact inside of it that actually shorts the circuit on the circuit board where keystrokes are registered. In my experience, once the dome pops off, the keyboard is pretty much toast.
 
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:(

the silicone thing, key dome? well it was completely clear - no metal piece. Are you sure the whole keyboard is toast? not just the one key? I mean I've been using the left shift since this happened, but the guy above indicated I needed to get the key back on in order to save the whole keyboard.
 

cwa107


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the silicone thing, key dome? well it was completely clear - no metal piece.

Check again, it's recessed inside of the dome, under the tip of the dome. You wouldn't see it unless you turn the dome inside out. It's just a tiny, little contact. The rest of it should just be silicon.

Are you sure the whole keyboard is toast? not just the one key? I mean I've been using the left shift since this happened, but the guy above indicated I needed to get the key back on in order to save the whole keyboard.

What I meant by that is there is no way to repair the single key. I've tried gluing them before, but the repair is never permanent. You're better off just replacing the keyboard - it's not all that difficult or expensive.

http://computers.search.ebay.com/ma...ce-Input_W0QQcatrefZC12QQfromZR40QQsacatZ3676
 
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relatively inexpensive is relative

:Smirk:

I am trying to avoid hauling the thing to the genius bar 30 min from here. Do any of you know if they would replace the single key or the whole keyboard to repair it?

Of course, on the other hand, i could open the thing up and clean the gatorade residue during keyboard replacement....

but lastly, I simply have NO MONEY right now - so spending 50-70 dollars for a new keyboard is kindof a problem anyway - for that matter so is having to pay someone at the genius bar to fix it.

*sigh* That little silicone dome was attached for a while after the shift key popped off. I knew it needed to be protected, but I have a couple of dogs and one of them ran across the keyboard and just tore it right off. I can't find anyplace that sells "mac keyboard key domes" anyway.

Thanks for all your help. I guess I'm going to have to try to convince my husband why I should spend the money for the keyboard and whatever else I need to open the machine.
 

chscag

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A new keyboard will cost around $129.00. As cwa107 has said, trying to fix the single key may be temporary at best. You really need to get inside the machine anyway and make sure no Gatorade residue remains. I have no idea how much Apple would charge but you can ask them for an estimate before leaving it to be repaired.

Regards.
 

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