caps lock stuff

[warren182]

Got an old heap of a laptop that I just use for downloading etc. Spilled some coke on the keyboard, still works ok but caps lock seems to be stuck on. Tried dismantling/cleaning the keyboard, but no luck. Only way of getting caps lock off is by pressing f7/f8 together, or weirdly by typing nu or un? Can't do a disc check on start up because the jammed caps lock cancels it, and can't use a usb keyboard as the usb slots aren't working (it really is a heap!). Is there anything I can do to unjam or permanetly turn caps lock off??


Thanks

[Plotloss]

Start>Run 'osk'

Turn it off via that.

[LordGrover]

Plotloss said:

Start>Run 'osk'

Turn it off via that.

How cool's that?

[warren182]

Works, but everytime I type nu or un it comes back on?

[GreenV8S]

If it really is a hardware problem, you might try rinsing it off with distilled water? I've read that most of the problems from stuff spilled on keyboards is caused by the sugars left behind after the water has dried off. If you can get rid of this, then you should be OK.

Obviously disconnected + battery removed while washing and drying.

[leorest]

My current contract involves electronic diagnostics of terminals returned from merchants. The top two reasons for scraping a terminal are liquid damage and lightning damage. Anything else and it's worth while fault finding it to component level. Sugars in the liquid get into the fibres of the pcb at edges and through vias and start to crystallise and/or grow cultures.

Work with it (using On Screen Keyboard) while your patience holds up but when it gets too much just stick it in the bin and walk away.

If the liquid damage is only on the surface of the board you might get away with washing it and letting it dry in the airing cupboard for a minimum of three days but on the other hand you might not!
Best of luck