Razer Black Widow Ultimate 'G' and 'H' keys not working

[Automaton]

So my BWU was working fine, until I cleaned it about 30 minutes ago. I removed the letter and number keycaps (using a credit card), and proceeded to use a Q-tip to scrape between the switches and also use compressed air on the keyboard. When I put everything back together and plugged the keyboard in, to my dismay the G and H keys had simply stopped working. I've tried re-installing drivers etc and using different USB ports. The switches also appear to work fine as they both click like the others. What could I have possibly done to cause such a thing just by cleaning under the keycaps? And how can I fix this? I'm having to resort to my microsoft curve keyboard with rubber domes Feels like I'm typing on jelly.

[Limmy]

Did you try to put some compressed air into the switch? Some debris may have been stuck between the contact, maybe?

[ripster]

Check this. I may try hosting it here as well since the original home is rootwormed.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1255538/help ... t_17215757
DO NOT CLICK THE GEEKHACK LINKS!


I suspect one of the switches is stuck in ON.

[Automaton]

Thanks I'll try that if updating/reinstalling my firmware doesn't fix it (realised, stupidly, that I hadn't tried that).

Also, why shouldn't I click on the geekhack links? I used to post on geekhack, and when I wanted to post this thread I went to

Spoiler:

http://www.geekhack.org

to post it and it said something about a rootworm D: Has my computer been infected with it? Will something like malwarebytes get rid of it?

[Automaton]

I don't really know what you want me to do, considering most of that threaad is intended for people who have spilt something on their keyboard. Also note that I don't even know how to open up my keyboard, let alone clean the insides of it etc

[litster]

I read this and I thought it was a geekhacked joke, as only the G and H, not working.

[ripster]

Yeah, that OCN link I guess is hard to follow without pics.

First test with a key switch tester like Aquakeytest.

http://www.otd.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_tabl ... n&wr_id=50

Then try using some contact cleaner.

I like Caig Labs DeOxit

http://www.amazon.com/DeOxit-Cleaning-S ... B0002BBV4G

[kint]

I guess there's the need of some basics.
Under the keycaps there are the switches. The clicky thing you hear has almost nothing to do with whether the switch is working or not. Inside the switch are two small metal pieces making contact when you push the stem (the part with the "cross" on top of it) down. So the guess is you blew some sort of debris between the contact with the compressed air.
You can try to actuate the switch several times by holding the keyboard upside down, maby this way the debris will fall of.
Otherwise you would have to open the switch itself to check. Afaik those are plate mounted, meaning normally you'ld have to desolder the switches. grab a small flatblade screwdriver and stick it into the notch on the corner of the switchs upper housing, as deep as you can without applying too much force. Now pry the screwdriver in the direction of the stem, and check whether the switches upper housing snaps open on that corner. Might work, maybe not. If it does work, redo with the lower corner of the same side. Now you have to make sure this side doesn't snap back together when redoing the other side. good luck.

[ripster]

more pics......

Sometimes it is simple as a dust bunny crudding up the mechanism.





Those perpendicular half cylinder gold plated "bars" are the famed Cherry Corp Gold Crosspoint Switch Contacts.

[kint]

ripsters makro pics can store a hell of characters as these hold my whole post !

[ripster]

A picture can tell a thousand words...

Edit: I am forum throttled to one post an hour so technical help from me may appear slow.

Here was what I told this guy in the same situation.

http://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/comme ... ries_6gv2/

And Congrats on fixing ONE key. I thought for sure that would help the other. Sure you didn't spill something in that area?

G and H not working... sounds like a r00tw0rm virus.

AND I GET ACCUSED OF TROLLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Automaton]

semi-good news:
simply turning the keyboard upside down and shaking it, blowing on the G key and pressing it a few times has fixed it No such luck with the H key. On that program I downloaded, it shows the H isn't actuating at all. I can't really figure out how to take off the switches; if it involves more than unscrewing I don't really think I should try - I might just mess things up even more. Should I send it back to razer? Also just FYI I'm not a Razer noob I'm looking to buy a keyboard with cherry MX red switches soon, probably a tenkeyless one (leopold).

[edit]
Do you need to remove the switch to use the contact cleaner you posted?

[kint]

semi congratulations then.
In general you don't have to remove the switch, but you'ld have to open it. Remove the top cover to get the stem and the spring out and have a look at the metal contact pieces. This is the tricky part with plate mounted switches as usually they can't be opened without desoldering as said before.you can try nevertheless.

sorry cut that. Also cut my post above. I forgot the ultimate is illuminated, the LED preventing the switch to be opened. You'll have to desolder the switch after unscrewing/opening the keyboards case.
My guess is Razer won't warrant anything - so either get the tooling (solder iron) /knowledge to do it yourself (we'ld help remotely) or find someone in your surrounding that can.

[Automaton]

will the warranty not cover me if I conveniently forget to mention that I removed the keycaps, and I just say the H key stopped working of its own accord?

If not, I'll ask a couple of local computer technicians if they know how to do this. If all else fails I'll give it a go myself and post my progress on here

[Limmy]

If you bought the board from razer within a year, I don't think there is any reason why they wouldn't fix/replace your board.

[mkawa]

personally, i'd actuate the switch a few thousand times first, then i'd smack the board. if that doesn't fix it, it's quite stubborn and you may need more extensive repair.

to others reading though, please don't blow compressed air everywhere to clean things. it may be cool to huff it, make a cool noise and magically freeze stuff when you turn the can upside down, but usually regular air and a brush does the trick much better than compressed air does, and it's significantly better for the environment as well.

[didja]

G and H not working... sounds like a r00tw0rm virus.

[Automaton]

Guess what I'm typing on.
Yep, the BWU

took about 400 key-presses and lots of intense shaking of the board, but finally the H key is working again Thanks for all the help everyone. I'll never use compressed air on it again, lol. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

On an unrelated note - can anyone think of some cheap keyboards that are still good quality with red switches? I don't want to just get the cheapest one I can find if it turns out to be bad quality.

[edit]
For instance, would
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-key-cap-K ... 836wt_1396
be any good?

[maxrunner]

Check this. I may try hosting it here as well since the original home is rootwormed.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1255538/help ... t_17215757
DO NOT CLICK THE GEEKHACK LINKS!


I suspect one of the switches is stuck in ON.

What happens if you clicked on gh links?

[didja]

I don't think anyone knows for sure since quite a few things were done to the server at different times, but if you're patched and have antivirus you're probably ok.

[maxrunner]

I used ubunto and android :p

[didja]

Many exploits are Java, Flash or Adobe Reader based now so you're not safe on anything if you are unpatched and even then not always.

But you're definitely more secure on Linux than most Windows or Mac users. (Oops, did I just open a can of worms?)

[Automaton]

considering buying this sometime this month:
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_30037.html

Look like a bargain