68kMLA Classic Interface
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| Click here to select a new forum. | | Insides of a dead Extended Keyboard II (ADB) | Posted by: Addicted on 2026-08-19 21:42:07
Got stumped on other repairs today and finally opened up a dead Extended Keyboard II.
I had put this off for a long time thinking it might not be "serviceable". But it was surprisingly easy to dismantle, and went right back together.
The problem was some previous repair gone wrong. Each ADB port is wired to a series of spring clips on either side of the main board, and each conductor is bared and inserted into one spring clip in each connector. It is a solder-free friction fit. One of the conductors had been bent, folded sideways like < , and the bend was shorting to the ground adjacent to it. I straightened it, re-twisted the conductor's strands and soldered them into a solid, and put it back. The keyboard works again.
Resisted the temptation to change the color of the status LEDs 🙂 The original green looks best, and is authentic.
Sharing in case anyone has this fine keyboard and is considering replacing broken or loose/wiggly ADB sockets. Go for it. | | 1 |
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