iBook g3 clamshell replacement keyboard?

[yanksrock100]

So I went through the daunting task of replacing the hard drive in my clamshell G3 with an SSD, however not without battle scars. I think I broke a pin on something on my keyboard, because a whole column isn't working anymore. Specifically the keys 7,U,J and M.

So should a replacement keyboard do the trick? Anybody know where I can even find a replacement keyboard? I have been looking everywhere, and all I cant find any clamshell keyboard replacements on eBay or anywhere else.

Thanks!

 

[AphoticD]

I've found intermittent logic board connections in some old macs can be resurrected with a little isopropyl alcohol. Spray on the keyboard's connection points/pins and then plug it into the main board to clear away any gunk or residue which could have built up from copper pins oxidizing over the years. I recently brought the trackpad on a non-working white iBook G3 500 back to life with this technique.

 

[yanksrock100]

Oh wow, interesting. I will try this!

I've found intermittent logic board connections in some old macs can be resurrected with a little isopropyl alcohol. Spray on the keyboard's connection points/pins and then plug it into the main board to clear away any gunk or residue which could have built up from copper pins oxidizing over the years. I recently brought the trackpad on a non-working white iBook G3 500 back to life with this technique.

 

[CooperBox]

Firstly, well-done for completing a change of the HD for an SSD. These are tricky little devils to work on (especially the first time round). Did you use the 'quick and dirty' method, or the full-monty approach - removing the screen and then the EMI shield complete?
Like AphoticD, I'm inclined to think that you have the keyboard connector cable not fully seated. As you now know, access is easy enough to the cable, but rather than giving it a harder push to fully seat it, I suggest pulling up on the plastic loop to disengage it completely. Then (as already suggested) give both ends a clean with isopropyl alcohol, then with an air duster spray can, ensure that there is nothing hiding between the pins. Give it several good blasts of air. Refit using gentle but adequate force to ensure that the connector is completely seated.
I'd be surprised if this didn't cure it.
Taking the worst scenario, if that didn't fix it you're then obviously into looking for a replacement keyboard. In my experience they are hard to source, and the alternative would be to find another cheap clamshell, as a doner unit. Here on mainland Europe they can be found from 60euros (70 USD) fully functional, albeit with AZERTY keyboards. Laptops here (France) with QWERTY keyboards are like unicorn headgear.
Pls let us know if a clean & reseat of the connector cures the problem.
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I've since seen that there are Clamshell keyboards available from a Mac spares specialist in the UK, 'The Bookyard'. These would of course be QWERTY keyboards.

 

[TC_GoldRush]

I heard you could Google search g3 keyboards, worked for me. Be sure to get the right color. Also try replugging in the keyboard a few times, making sure its plugged all the way in.

 

[yanksrock100]

Firstly, well-done for completing a change of the HD for an SSD. These are tricky little devils to work on (especially the first time round). Did you use the 'quick and dirty' method, or the full-monty approach - removing the screen and then the EMI shield complete?
Like AphoticD, I'm inclined to think that you have the keyboard connector cable not fully seated. As you now know, access is easy enough to the cable, but rather than giving it a harder push to fully seat it, I suggest pulling up on the plastic loop to disengage it completely. Then (as already suggested) give both ends a clean with isopropyl alcohol, then with an air duster spray can, ensure that there is nothing hiding between the pins. Give it several good blasts of air. Refit using gentle but adequate force to ensure that the connector is completely seated.
I'd be surprised if this didn't cure it.
Taking the worst scenario, if that didn't fix it you're then obviously into looking for a replacement keyboard. In my experience they are hard to source, and the alternative would be to find another cheap clamshell, as a doner unit. Here on mainland Europe they can be found from 60euros (70 USD) fully functional, albeit with AZERTY keyboards. Laptops here (France) with QWERTY keyboards are like unicorn headgear.
Pls let us know if a clean & reseat of the connector cures the problem.
_
_

I've since seen that there are Clamshell keyboards available from a Mac spares specialist in the UK, 'The Bookyard'. These would of course be QWERTY keyboards.

I wasn't brave enough for the full HD procedure, I went for the "quick and dirty" method. I actually ended up doing it a couple times because of install issues, so in the end I felt like a pro.

And wow, you were right. The keyboard wasn't fully seated! I was about to buy a new keyboard.

Thanks!

 

[weckart]

So should a replacement keyboard do the trick? Anybody know where I can even find a replacement keyboard? I have been looking everywhere, and all I cant find any clamshell keyboard replacements on eBay or anywhere else.

Thanks!

I vaguely remember that the iBook Clamshell keyboard is similar if not identical to the Pismo/Lombard keyboards, at least electronically. I would have to check on the position of the cabling to the logic board. I might be wrong, however. Obviously, you will need to swap keycaps unless you want to go for a mix and match look.