OESF Portables Forum
Model Specific Forums => Cosmo Communicator => Cosmo Communicator - Hardware => Topic started by: iJacks on November 26, 2019, 08:56:50 am
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Does anybody know a, safe, way to remove the keys on the Cosmo? My "S" key keeps getting stuck, probably a bad spring not returning to the right position. I'll be getting in touch with PC about this, but in the meantime was wondering if there is anything I can do myself?
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https://geminiplanet.com/how-to-clean-the-gemini-keyboard/ (https://geminiplanet.com/how-to-clean-the-gemini-keyboard/)
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https://geminiplanet.com/how-to-clean-the-gemini-keyboard/ (https://geminiplanet.com/how-to-clean-the-gemini-keyboard/)
Thank you. Good job I have my Gemini at home. The Cosmo doesn't have the removal tool (no need for it). Hopefully it just needs to be reseated...
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The one area I have noticed this from the time I received the Cosmo is in the top row keys. Numbers either don't work or type double. It makes entering passwords challenging. I've gotten used to it, as I use a very slow, deliberate quick, forceful press and release on these keys and it works most of the time. It does slow me down, but I'm hoping that the keys (or whatever) will settle over time and become more reliable.
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So far I've had to remove almost all of the keys on the left hand side and replace them. Seems that they are not sitting quite flush (from a rotational perspective) and are hitting each other every now and then. Seems a little better now, time will tell. Mind you, considering the delays for "quality control" issues I am a touch disappointed with the keyboard - especially when this was one of the main failings of the first batch of Gemini devices.
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Does anybody know a, safe, way to remove the keys on the Cosmo?
Assuming it's the same as the Gemini and Psion 5mx: a blob of Blu Tack has always worked for me.
Press it down firmly to cover most of a key (but none of the surrounding ones), then yank it sharply upwards; the keytop will usually come with it. (May need a few goes until you get the hang of it.)
I think this way is safer than the alternative of trying to lever the keytops off, as it has no hard surfaces to do any damage, and the keytops seem to come off much easier if they're kept straight and level.
(While you're there, you can also use the Blu Tack to remove dust and debris from the rubber mat under the keytops.)
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Unfortunately my G key gets its top-left edge stuck down - if I press it down off-centre towards that corner at all (not pushing it sideways, mind). I suppose I'm lucky it's just the one. I've attached some photos of the situation. When it's stuck, the corner remains pretty much touching the floor.
@gidds Thanks for letting us know about your blu-tack trick; I'll try that!
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Ah dear.
Well, removing keys with blu-tack worked great - see the attached photos for what the inside looks like.
I thoroughly dabbed blu-tack all over the underside of the key and the slot, but it didn't change anything.
So now there's two C-shaped stuck out bits that form a sort of X shape. I noticed a lip at the top of one of the C's which I thought might be a mistake from the plastic casting mold and the cause of the stickiness, so.. I scraped it off with a tiny screwdriver. Unfortunately, this hasn't improved the situation a whole lot, at the cost of the key no longer having much resistance to coming off. Derp. I may have to request a replacement key. We'll see how it lasts.
So I'd recommend not scraping off the lip xP
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I also had problems with one key n0 4 i fixed with the blu tack method pic to the left was before and right after
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Have my Cosmo for three weeks now. For a device that should be a winner because of the physical keyboard, I'm not impressed: left shift key and X don't register unless pressed very firmly. Spacebar is unreliable. About 50% of the time it works, and about half of that time it puts out 2 spaces. Sent PC an email about this, but apart from getting a confirmation that the email was received, no reply. Needless to say I'm not happy with this.
Is this something that will get better with use or is this just a crappy design?
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Have my Cosmo for three weeks now. For a device that should be a winner because of the physical keyboard, I'm not impressed: left shift key and X don't register unless pressed very firmly. Spacebar is unreliable. About 50% of the time it works, and about half of that time it puts out 2 spaces. Sent PC an email about this, but apart from getting a confirmation that the email was received, no reply. Needless to say I'm not happy with this.
Is this something that will get better with use or is this just a crappy design?
Follow-up: got an email from PC-support today that the keys may need to be reseated (take them off, clean underneath, put back on). Tried it, but it doesn't help at all (as I expected after reading the other posts in this thread). Will follow-up again with PC and keep you informed.
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The one area I have noticed this from the time I received the Cosmo is in the top row keys. Numbers either don't work or type double. It makes entering passwords challenging. I've gotten used to it, as I use a very slow, deliberate quick, forceful press and release on these keys and it works most of the time. It does slow me down, but I'm hoping that the keys (or whatever) will settle over time and become more reliable.
Do you get this everywhere or just in certain apps? I have noticed that certain input fields give me double inputs on numbers, but it seems like a software issue as most fields handle them properly.
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The one area I have noticed this from the time I received the Cosmo is in the top row keys. Numbers either don't work or type double. It makes entering passwords challenging. I've gotten used to it, as I use a very slow, deliberate quick, forceful press and release on these keys and it works most of the time. It does slow me down, but I'm hoping that the keys (or whatever) will settle over time and become more reliable.
Do you get this everywhere or just in certain apps? I have noticed that certain input fields give me double inputs on numbers, but it seems like a software issue as most fields handle them properly.
Everywhere. the worst are the center number keys - 4-6.
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Several people (me including) reported that keyboard does take some time to break in with usage. I did have few keys that were hard to register, now after month and a half I can not say I have any problem with that. Of course, your mileage may be different
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Have my Cosmo for three weeks now. For a device that should be a winner because of the physical keyboard, I'm not impressed: left shift key and X don't register unless pressed very firmly. Spacebar is unreliable. About 50% of the time it works, and about half of that time it puts out 2 spaces. Sent PC an email about this, but apart from getting a confirmation that the email was received, no reply. Needless to say I'm not happy with this.
Is this something that will get better with use or is this just a crappy design?
i have a problem with the T key, its only responsive if you press on the left side. or the middle very hard, the right side no response.
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I am having issues with any bluetooth keyboards (really good ones) on android generally. On the android Yoga book thera are options in settings for adjustment of hardware keyboards that work. I'm curious how the Cosmo keyboard will work on Linux. I guess it is not only a hardware problem.
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Hi The Bruce
Have my Cosmo for three weeks now. For a device that should be a winner because of the physical keyboard, I'm not impressed: left shift key and X don't register unless pressed very firmly. Spacebar is unreliable. About 50% of the time it works, and about half of that time it puts out 2 spaces
Follow-up: got an email from PC-support today that the keys may need to be reseated (take them off, clean underneath, put back on). Tried it, but it doesn't help at all (as I expected after reading the other posts in this thread). Will follow-up again with PC and keep you informed.
Had the same issue with the D key. Got the same reply from PC so reseat the key. It finally got better, but removing the key "popped" the inner ring below it (see above pics without key) out ... after putting is in again and reseating the key it works now. Unfortunately, the key is now no longer level (like in one of the above pics) and lost most of its travel ... <sigh> ...
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Several people (me including) reported that keyboard does take some time to break in with usage. I did have few keys that were hard to register, now after month and a half I can not say I have any problem with that. Of course, your mileage may be different
I've had the same experience as vldmr, the recognition of keystrokes has become more reliable over time. I've had it over a month (light usage of keyboard), the "2" key is much better than when I first received my cosmo. It's by no means perfect but its not causing frustration anymore (also I'm reluctant to re-seat the key for fear of breakage).
Based on my experience, I think its worth waiting to see if usage "breaks it in" before busting out the ole spudger. Each to their own though, I'm sure a seasoned tinkerer could correct an errant alphanumerical without consequence.
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Sorry for bringing up this old topic, but i just got my cosmo a few days back. I really like the keyboard, but unfortunately i too have some issues with it. My S key is not working properly. I have to tap it dead center for it to register. This key is the one i have the most trouble with, and honestly, I'm reluctant to sending it in to Planet because i fear that, if they replace it, i might get a unit with more problems.
My question is if any of you having trouble have managed to either fix it your self somehow, or has the problems dissapeared with use? And if they have, how bad were they in the beginning?