Bay 12 Games Forum

Finally... => Life Advice => Topic started by: JoshuaFH on April 07, 2009, 04:57:59 pm

Title: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: JoshuaFH on April 07, 2009, 04:57:59 pm
Here's the deal: my sister, while I wasn't looking, must have been playing a game on my computer and bashed her hand into the keyboard, and now the spacebar is partially broken.

It still works, yes, but now it's all clumsy and stupid. The button refuses to depress until it's pushed EXACTLY in the middle, otherwise it just 'rocks' and refuses to cooperate.

I'm thinking of taking a screwdriver and prying it out, examining what's wrong, then repairing it with some super glue and I keep handy. The alternative is buying a new keyboard, and this one's been loyal to me for around 5 years now.

What do you guys think?
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Awayfarer on April 07, 2009, 05:04:32 pm
I'm all for frugality. No sense getting a new one if you can fix it yourself. On the other hand, if you do fix it and it breaks in a few weeks I'd take that as a sign to buy a new one.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: woose1 on April 07, 2009, 05:05:30 pm
I expected for your post to be something like this:
"Ahhrghe lpmyspa ceba risbroke nhel p!"
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Asheron on April 07, 2009, 05:58:55 pm
Here's the deal: my sister, while I wasn't looking, must have been playing a game on my computer and bashed her hand into the keyboard, and now the spacebar is partially broken.

It still works, yes, but now it's all clumsy and stupid. The button refuses to depress until it's pushed EXACTLY in the middle, otherwise it just 'rocks' and refuses to cooperate.

I'm thinking of taking a screwdriver and prying it out, examining what's wrong, then repairing it with some super glue and I keep handy. The alternative is buying a new keyboard, and this one's been loyal to me for around 5 years now.

What do you guys think?
Try to repair it, there is nothing that you can lose but your life if you forget to unplug it before fixing it. If that doesn't work, you should perhaps get a new one.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Gunner-Chan on April 07, 2009, 06:04:51 pm
It probably just got knocked out of place, pry it out and set it in properly.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Jakkarra on April 07, 2009, 06:47:47 pm
All of the above.

But there is a chance that the chip beneath it has broken, depending on your model, check if it has one, or two rubber depressions beneath it.

Love, jakkarra

Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Tahin on April 07, 2009, 09:38:36 pm
Sounds to me like the little metal clip which stabilizes the button and keeps it from "rocking," as you describe, was knocked out of place. Depending on the exact model of keyboard, they can be a little tough to put back in place, but it's definitely possible.

If you're really unlucky, some of the plastic might have broken, though, and in that case you're kind of screwed.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: mainiac on April 07, 2009, 09:43:44 pm
There's a good chance that it will be easy to fix by taking it apart.  Go for it.

If that fails, get a program that rewrites key registries and designate your caps lock key to be space.

If you have a mac, you are SOL.  Mac keyboards are tamper proof.  But don't buy a new keyboard, buy a new computer.  You'll thank me.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: 612DwarfAvenue on April 08, 2009, 02:56:21 am
All of the above.

Plus, follow these steps.


1: Take Sister.
2: Take Baseball Bat.
3:  ???
4: PROFIT!
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Yanlin on April 08, 2009, 05:03:39 am
Heh. I keep a dirt cheap replacement keyboard in case of emergency. If that fails, I have a virtual keyboard that uses the mouse. (Basically like a touch screen, but with a standard mouse.)

Armok help me if my mouse fails... It's a one of a kind 2000 DPI 1GHz polling rate mouse. That might seem pretty easy to get for you guys, but over here, it's ÜBEROVERPRICED and generally bad models. This Habu Razor was a rarity.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Carcer on April 09, 2009, 12:12:44 pm
I expected for your post to be something like this:
"Ahhrghe lpmyspa ceba risbroke nhel p!"

This very nearly killed me.

You might be able to fixx it with some super glue magic, but be prepared to send it to the junk yard.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Tahin on April 09, 2009, 02:22:07 pm
So, ChaoticJosh, any progress in fixing it? If you can carefully pry up the key, then take a picture of it's place on the keyboard and the underside of the key, we might be able to better help you put it back in place.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: JoshuaFH on April 09, 2009, 02:24:03 pm
I've tried prying it out, but it's firmly stuck in there. It seems if I try to force it, then I'll only end up breaking it more.

That and I'm growing used to typing like this.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Tahin on April 09, 2009, 03:20:42 pm
Hm... What kind of keyboard is it? It really shouldn't be that difficult to get out. Try prying it up with a screwdriver.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Duke 2.0 on April 09, 2009, 04:17:52 pm
If that fails, get a program that rewrites key registries and designate your caps lock key to be space.
And watch as your pinky becomes the size of your thumb with muscles.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Tahin on April 09, 2009, 04:53:31 pm
If that fails, get a program that rewrites key registries and designate your caps lock key to be space.
And watch as your pinky becomes the size of your thumb with muscles.

Left shift wouldn't be too bad, actually... you'd just have to get used to only using the right shift key for shift, which is how I usually type.

Capslock, despite being useless, is a bit too high to be comfortable to hit constantly like that.

But try to fix that space bar, first.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Jakkarra on April 09, 2009, 06:54:13 pm
why not format your "windows" key as space? its close, in a convenient position (despite being slightly awkward) and is virtually useless annoying at the best of times.

alternatively, simply buy a new keyboard, they arent that expensive.

Love, jakkarra
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Vucar Fikodastesh on April 09, 2009, 08:10:12 pm
why not format your "windows" key as space? its close, in a convenient position (despite being slightly awkward) and is used in dozens of handy keyboard shortcuts at the best of times.

Fixed that for you. ;)
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Jakkarra on April 09, 2009, 08:24:17 pm
i find shortcuts to be more work than simply clicking on the appropriate icon. the only one i use is Ctrl-Z.

soooooooo, meh.  :)

Love, jakkarra
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: JoshuaFH on April 09, 2009, 08:39:28 pm
I use Ctrl + z, c, v, n, and y on a regular basis. Don't know what I'd do without'em.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Vucar Fikodastesh on April 09, 2009, 08:46:35 pm
List of windows keyboard shortcuts. (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449)

Some of the keyboard shortcuts I use regularly are, Alt+F4, Alt+Tab, Win+D, and Win+F.

Sorry for going off-topic. :-[

If you can't pry the space bar loose then you probably need to buy a new one, if you can't live with it as is.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Jakkarra on April 09, 2009, 08:51:39 pm
i dont know why, but i appear to be some form of derailment magnet....

also, could you update us on your current position in regards to the spacebar issue?

if you do happen to purchase a new one, id suggest going with one of those new folding ones, they are very resiliant, and can bear the brunt of any liquid based attack. (especially tea, mmmmm tea...)

love, jakkarra
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: JoshuaFH on April 09, 2009, 08:54:29 pm
I'm teaching my dumb thumb to press the button either hard or correctly or both, and I'm getting quite used to it.

Still mad at my sister though.
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Jakkarra on April 09, 2009, 09:00:22 pm
what could be fun to do to get back at her is (if you have the time, and resources) it to gradually sew folds into her clothes, causing them to be thinner. this can produce maximum Lulz when combined with the Hack-the-scales trick ;D

love, jakkarra
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: Tahin on April 09, 2009, 10:23:43 pm
That, my good sir, is assholeish.
I like it.

But really, try to fix it. It really shouldn't be too difficult to pry off. What kind of keyboard is it, anyway?
Title: Re: Broken Spacebar ARGHH!
Post by: JoshuaFH on April 09, 2009, 10:58:58 pm
It is a Cisnet deluxe keyboard.