a hard lesson learned

[Roberto49]

Tonight I lost an old dear friend due to my carelessness with alcohol. Sometimes I like to drink a beer or two and tonight was one of those nights. I have heard and read all the warnings so many times but always thinking “It can’t happen to me”. Let me tell you IT CAN.

Today is Thanksgiving, the day we all give thanks for the many blessings we have. The greatest blessings in my life are my family and friends. And today I was responsible for an old friends death. We had been friends, more like partners, for over five years. He had seen me through some very tough times and been there when no one else was.

I don’t write this to preach or castigate anyone for what they choose to do but merely as a reminder that accidents can happen so fast and one moment of inattention can cause a lifetime of regret.

It all started innocently enough. I had watched a little television after the usual turkey dinner and then took a nap. Waking up I decided a cold beverage would taste good and that would be the prelude to a lazy evening. I opened a beer and proceeded upstairs to my computer room to check email and perhaps catch up on some correspondence. I booted the computer, opened the beer and waited for the login screen. Then, the moment I have relived countless times, I pulled the mouse to me and the cord slid the can to the edge and over. Instantly, the foamy ale went all over my “Natural” keyboard.

Immediately I flipped it over hoping beyond hope that the pride of St. Louis would all drain out. No time to call 911, I began emergency surgery as I cradled it in my arms. With a small screwdriver I endeavored to flip the keys in a frantic manner. Keys were flying, down the hall, down the stairs scaring the cats and sounding like popcorn as they hit the walls. Knowing time was of the essence I ran to my shop and began dismantling my friend. Powering up my air compressor thinking I could blast the deadly liquid before any real damage. Cranking the compressor to 135 psi, the compressed air was driving the liquid out but having a strange effect on the membrane that contains the neurons of my friend. Surely this membrane that could take incessant pounding from fingers could withstand hurricane force winds. Optimistically I thought the damage was reversible so I retrieved the keys. This turned out to be no small feat but it was nothing in comparison to the daunting task that was replacing them on the naked body of my friend. Sometimes I would have to just close my eyes and pretend to type so I could tell where to place the keys. The standard keyboard keys went quickly. Control, Alt and Delete keys came naturally because of my experience with Windows, but how often do you notice where your “Insert” or “Screen lock” keys are?

After much trepidation I reattached the keyboard and booted the computer. A strange noise began as the hard drive was spinning up but this subsided. The BIOS screen acknowledged the keyboard, the system continued to boot. Windows started! Success was mine, but my elation was short-lived. My Windows key would not activate the menu, ok I can live with that. My Enter key would not work, ah the calculator enter key worked, ok I can live with that. I proceeded to open a word document to test the rest of the keys. Erratic behavior, fast and furious error messages began. Being a Windows user, I can live with that. Egad whenever I hit the E key, E3 appeared, maybe I can live with that. Then the real damage became apparent there was no right side of the keyboard functioning, save the calculator keys. Then it began to affect the video drivers, colors were flashing like a 70’s disco. The cursor began to “dance to the music” of that disco. The hardest part is knowing when to let go and alas I knew it was time.

Solemnly I hit the shutdown and wiped a tear from my eye. You see this keyboard and I have been through six computers together and a myriad of changes in hardware of those computers. Together we learned DOS and with the help of Mavis, I became a touch typist. I use a lot different keyboards at work and home but there was something about my old “Natural”. The new ones are either “Internet” keyboards with hot keys and such or the “Elite” that does not have the heft of a real “Natural”. They just don’t make them like this anymore.

An ironic twist to this story is that I have been losing my hair at a progressive rate over the last few years and I think I found where most of it went. It was under the keys. My wife asked, “Did you save it?” I would have but it was the wrong color.

So let my tale of woe be a lesson to you. Alcohol and keyboards don’t mix, also alcohol and keys.

[DrZaius]

*wipes tear* Great story man.

Let this be a lesson folks, don't drink and type, it's just to risky!

[Hpro]

To recove your friend from the "Keyboard Heaven " there is acutally a easy thing to do remove all the backscrews then carefully remove the backcover - then in a natural you will find some more screw which screwing on the left middle and right side of the keys - remove them also Pull of the middle part make sure that you don't break the plastic latches - the you will see the three plasic layers where the acutall connections are made - if you look very good then you will see Bottom Middle Top screend on them - so there shouldn't be any problem to separate them then carefully clean them and (with a dry soft cloth) on a flat table !!! best with a piece of window glas underneat to make it even and a piece of this paper on top of the Window glass to make it somewhat softer so the plastic of the natural doesn't get scratched...wipe all thos three plastic sheets and then look where the connecting edges are - be carefull those one can be destroyed very easy -...

Now take all the keys out remove anything whihc is electroincs cirquit from the case (top bottom) take all this and Wash it in hand warm Water - NOT the electric parts OK?
Dry them very carefully - then reasseble the keyboard - and you will be surprised that your friend has come back to life again...Make sure that where you see the RUBBER pressing against the contacts which are printed on the plastic is even and that the holes in the plastic sheets are matching it's counterparts.. Fasten teh screw thight but do not overdraw them..because all is plastic so you can easily kill the screw holes...

OH I'm talking about the Microsoft Natural Keyboard here...but in fact it's almost the same for almost all other keyboard as well..
HTH

[HAL9000]

Cleaning as such may work on some keyboards, but on others, as soon as liquid contacts the plastic sheet carrying the connections, they're screwed.

[Hpro]

I was talking about the PLASTIC CASING and not the Sheet - there no liquid should be used - it will destroy it..but wipe it with a clean soft piece of cloth will work perfect..

[Roberto49]

Thanks for the tips but I am afraid the "membrane" did not stand up well to the combination of stupidity, Budweiser and 135 psi. I went out this morning and purchased a Natural Pro and really like the resistance of the keys.

I not much a fan of the "hotkeys" across the top. Guess it reminds me of some Compaq and Gateway keyboards. I have to admit that with this new one the "F" keys are with easy reach and maybe I can learn to love these new "features".
I have to use Compaq computers at work so I disliked being reminded of them.

[Colonel Sanders]

While if I had know about this sooner I could have probbably made an "organ donation". However you laready and I think I can find use for the other old keyboard. May your freind rest in piece..

At least it was a cheap freind unlike your monitor/everything inside the case.

Logan

[Gintaras]

Best way to clean keyboard is in a bathtub with a shower handle.


just let it dry very well.

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by Gintaras Best way to clean keyboard is in a bathtub with a shower handle. just let it dry very well.

Gin- To dry mine I just put it in the microwave at low power for 10 minutes...

Roberto49- You are a witty and accomplished writer. Also, can you explain to me what it is about the F Keys that make them easier to reach? My board makes me lift my hand to reach them. Kinda hard in a game....
Btw, is it the Microsoft Model#: A11-00342?
You can see it at this link: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...on=natural+pro

[glc]

Another thread resurrected from the dead...........

[Werewolfdaddy]

In honor of the year anniversary.

[TimPoet]

hehe, I thought it was for Nov. of this year!
Saw someone looking at it in Who's Online (I like to lurk there...) and saw November and unwittingly resurrected it.

[Nuclear Krusader]

In memorial, WWD, in memorial...