I just resurrected my Apple II Plus after years of storage. It started up OK, but the shift key doesn't work, a condition that renders the computer virtually useless. Neither of the two shift keys works. Can anyone tell me how to remedy this? I would be most grateful for any help.
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Help! My Apple II Plus shift key doesn't work.
- Thread starter McDonough
- Start date
TanruNomad
Veteran Member
From my experience, about 95% of the time it can be resolved by simply pressing the key repeatedly like 50 times and also just pressing and holding down the key for a couple seconds at a time. However, if the key is stubborn, you may need to remove it a clean the contact under that specific key with some isopropyl alcohol or similar solution. Best of luck!I just resurrected my Apple II Plus after years of storage. It started up OK, but the shift key doesn't work, a condition that renders the computer virtually useless. Neither of the two shift keys works. Can anyone tell me how to remedy this? I would be most grateful for any help.
Great Hierophant
Veteran Member
Do you have the shift-key mod installed in your system, the shift keys are rather useless, except for the top row, by default.
Nonfunctioning shift key
Nonfunctioning shift key
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my cry for help. Repeated hitting of the key or holding it down did not fix the problem, and I haven't been able to figure out how to remove the key and get at the contact to clean it. (I pulled the key off of its post and squeezed the plastic latches that appeared to be what holds the key assembly in place, but the assembly would not budge.)
Upon further thought, it seems unlikely that the problem is a dirty contact: neither shift key works and all the other keys work fine. If it were a dirty contact problem I would expect at least one of the other keys to have the same problem. If only two keys had dirty contacts, the chances of bot being shift keys would be slim.
Is there a possibility that the problem is electronic rather than mechanical?
Nonfunctioning shift key
From my experience, about 95% of the time it can be resolved by simply pressing the key repeatedly like 50 times and also just pressing and holding down the key for a couple seconds at a time. However, if the key is stubborn, you may need to remove it a clean the contact under that specific key with some isopropyl alcohol or similar solution. Best of luck!
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my cry for help. Repeated hitting of the key or holding it down did not fix the problem, and I haven't been able to figure out how to remove the key and get at the contact to clean it. (I pulled the key off of its post and squeezed the plastic latches that appeared to be what holds the key assembly in place, but the assembly would not budge.)
Upon further thought, it seems unlikely that the problem is a dirty contact: neither shift key works and all the other keys work fine. If it were a dirty contact problem I would expect at least one of the other keys to have the same problem. If only two keys had dirty contacts, the chances of bot being shift keys would be slim.
Is there a possibility that the problem is electronic rather than mechanical?
Great Hierophant
Veteran Member
Start here : http://support.apple.com/kb/TA30700.
Note the limitations :
Software must be aware of the shift-key mod.
80-column cards use the mod to display lowercase characters.
Characters will not appear on the screen in lowercase in 40-column mode without replacing the character generator ROM.
Note the limitations :
Software must be aware of the shift-key mod.
80-column cards use the mod to display lowercase characters.
Characters will not appear on the screen in lowercase in 40-column mode without replacing the character generator ROM.
pcjunky
Experienced Member
This could be a bad keyboard encoder. Does your apple keyboard have the daughter board underneath?
Drken
Experienced Member
... I haven't been able to figure out how to remove the key and get at the contact to clean it. (I pulled the key off of its post and squeezed the plastic latches that appeared to be what holds the key assembly in place, but the assembly would not budge.) ...
The keyswitches are soldered to the circuit board so you need to desolder them (2 contacts per switch) before removing the keyswitch.
I don't know about trying to open up the switch, taking it apart & cleaning the contacts, then trying to reassemble it. Without having to desolder the switch, I simply use some Electronic Switch & Contact Cleaner made by Ideal that I picked up in the local Radio Shack, and that seems to work well. Just shoot a bit into the switch where the post goes into the base, and then work the switch for a minute or two. I've had good luck with that. But often times, I have to replace the keyswitch with another.
I believe I am inherently lazy because I always go with the easiest & fastest method first...
Ken
www.Apple2Online.com
Start here : http://support.apple.com/kb/TA30700.
Note the limitations :
Software must be aware of the shift-key mod.
80-column cards use the mod to display lowercase characters.
Characters will not appear on the screen in lowercase in 40-column mode without replacing the character generator ROM.
I also just dusted-off my Apple ][+ and the keys were not happy on the keyboard. I opened the case and removed the keyboard, then blew a crapload of compressed air through it. I then reconnected it and the keys were better but not perfect. It required a few solid taps on each of the keys to get them to be less sticky or whatever it was from lack of use.
I also have the shift key mod installed but, with the wire connected, the left-side shift key is stuck in the on position. I'm note sure if that's related to having the joystick also attached or what but, when I disconnect the wire, the shift key works fine.
necrobumping here since I had this issue and the fix was very minor in my case. I just received an Apple II+. The keys all worked except the shift keys. I opened the case and it appeared the board connecting the keyboard (remove the cover, then look up under case over the keyboard) was sagging to the point where not all connections were made. I gently pushed the board back into the pins and the shift keys now both work.