Fixing the function keys of a Kinesis keyboard
The Kinesis Advantage series of keyboards has a row of tiny function keys at the top. These cheap rubber keys are the shame of the expensive Kinesis keyboards. The latest version in this series, model KB600, has the tiny function keys made out of plastic, no more rubber―feels better.
The Esc key in my ancient KB133 Kinesis was registering key presses only when I was pressing very hard. The Kinesis support was very responsive but they said they don’t have replacement parts for this old keyboard model. Long story short, they hate contributing to e-waste but that “seems to be the next step”.
Top-left Esc key on the function keys row was broken
To fix this, you need a screwdriver, universal glue, hot glue and a regular pencil.
Open the keyboard to access the electronics
Take out the yellow fake PCB by melting the plastic holding it
Take out the transparent plastic film with the grey paths
Observe the small crack causing the interruption
Use a pencil to cover the crack with graphite
Check the connectivity and cover with glue so it does not go away
Use hot glue to mount back the yellow fake PCB. That’s it.
