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Keyboard switch failed (cherry mx) What do?

Posted: 16 Dec 2013, 01:36
by boondaburrah
So I've been typing on this keyboard (Rosewill RK-9000BR) for just over a year now and the 3/octothorpe/pound/numbersign/whatever key has decided that doing nothing most of the time I press it would be more interesting than leading life as a normal, productive keyboard key.

My question is, is there a way for me to replace the cherry mx brown switch itself (plate-mounted) or am I better off buying a new keyboard for want of a single key? Soldering I can do, desoldering I can not. Not at scale. Not if I want the circuit board to survive. If there's a way for me to get /just that switch/ out by soldering and not have to desolder the whole keyboard I might do it. It's kinda hard to type include, define, pragma, ifndef statements etc without the octothorpe.

In the case that I buy a whole new keyboard, which one should I get if I want it to last for more than a year and take the same keycaps? (Note this is most similar to a Filco ANSI layout.)

Posted: 16 Dec 2013, 03:45
by IvanIvanovich
Switch is individual, so only need to desolder and replace the single switch if only the one is bad. It's generally a very simple thing, though some of the newer boards with RoHS solder can be more difficult to desolder.
You can buy switch from 7bit, or mechanicalkeyboards. Perhaps get some different kinds while you are at it to try some out if you have not.