68kMLA Classic Interface

This is a version of the 68kMLA forums for viewing on your favorite old mac. Visitors on modern platforms may prefer the main site.

Click here to select a new forum.
Intermittent Macintosh Keyboard M0110
Posted by: drybones99 on 2016-03-29 00:01:24
My Macintosh Plus is hooked up to an original Macintosh Keyboard M0110, and many of the keys are intermittent/unresponsive. Playing Prince of Persia became almost impossible, as did typing. I tried using WD-40, and then, when that didn't work, I tried desoldering the switches and cleaning the contacts with contact-cleaner. That didn't work either, so I have decided that the best choice would be to replace the intermittent switches, and perhaps all of them. I need to know what exact switch the Macintosh Keyboard M0110 uses, so that I can replace it. The switch needs to feel the exact same, and preferably be the same color. Can anyone link me to that exact switch on Digikey/Mouser or a similar site?

Posted by: rsolberg on 2016-03-29 00:53:01
I believe your keyboard uses Alps SKCCAF (light cream) key switches. I'm pretty sure production of this particular switch ended before 1990, so used or new old stock will be your only options.

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Apple_M0110

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Alps_SKCC_Tall_Cream

https://68kmla.org/forums/index.php?/topic/26492-m0110-keyboard-not-working-help-me-troubleshoot/

http://www.retrotechnology.com/aux/mackeys.html

Posted by: unity on 2016-03-29 07:50:13
Do you have another Mac to try that keyboard on? It may be the motherboard.

Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-03-29 09:38:42
Press firmly on the offending keys, and wiggle your finger.  That might clear it up.  If it doesn't ... how good are you with a soldering iron?

Posted by: drybones99 on 2016-03-29 23:08:34
I already tried pressing on the keys and wiggling them, which didn't work. I am pretty good with a soldering iron, as I have desoldered about seven key switches, and then removed them. I deconstructed them, so that I could clean the contacts with contact-cleaner. Despite this, the problem has persisted. Can anybody link me to an eBay-like site that sells that exact key switch (Alps SKCCAF light cream)? Retrotechnology.com doesn't accept Paypal for non-international orders, so I would prefer not to use that.

Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-03-30 08:08:31
What I did was bend out just a little bit the copper contacts.  That way when the key is depressed, it'll contact more firmly.  That seemed to bring back to life many of the intermittent keys I had.

Posted by: olePigeon on 2016-03-30 08:18:19
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Computer-Mechanical-Keyboard-PCB-Model-M0110A-/111922257606

Buy the whole thing and just take what you need. 🙂

Mac Plus keyboard, but I think they have the same key switches, don't they?

1