# My underline/hyphen key is gummed up and sticking
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [September 22, 2000, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198 "2000-09-22T20:39:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/21 "2000-09-23T15:03:18Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by aha \*
> \*\*
> Right now however I am leaning towards CP’s suggestion. Why? Because he has my nick in his signature of course.
> \*\*
You’re going to request “WEstern Union” eighty-four times?!!
We can help you with this. Besides, these cheapie black KBs are nowhere near as cool as the one you describe.
How much does this monster of yours cost to replace and how many calls must we each make?
---
### Author:  [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/22 "2000-09-23T15:47:07Z")
Geezz CP simmer down now. What season are we in? Summer. Which way is opposite of up? Down. When am I writing this? Now.
Simma down na.
I actually meant this suggestion of yours.
> [@](#):
>
> Pop the key off with a screwdriver and blow vigorously.
I am working up the guts to do it now.
By the way this **is** compelling mpsims material ain’t it?
---
### Author:  [@Skribbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skribbler)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/23 "2000-09-23T17:19:52Z")
Do as was suggested. Pop the key off because it is designed to come off. Take a Q-tip and dip it in alcohol, gently swab around the open socket and remove all grime. The key is pushed back in place by a little rubber nipple under the mounting post. If the post gets dirty, the key sticks. You can, after the alcohol drys, take a Q-tip sprayed with WD-40 and gently swab a little on the lower shaft of the mounting post.
Try just cleaning with alcohol first.
---
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/24 "2000-09-23T18:30:57Z")
[QUOTE]
\*Originally posted by Skribbler \*
\*\*DThe key is pushed back in place by a little rubber nipple \*\* {/QUOTE]
Ha! Sex in an aha post!
> [@](#):
>
> [B} take a Q-tip sprayed with WD-40
> \*\*
Ha! WD-40 in a CP post!
---
### Author:  [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/25 "2000-09-23T18:33:20Z")
If removing the key results in a total loss of operation for those characters, just remember:
Alt + 0045 ==\> - hyphen
Alt + 0095 ==\> \_ underscore
Alt + 0151 ==\> — em quad dash
---
### Author:  [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/26 "2000-09-23T19:21:53Z")
> [@](#):
>
> This is one of the finest keyboards one could possibly hope to own. It is the keyboard of all keyboards. It by God is the keyingist keyboard I have ever had the priviledge to drop a digit on to
Or drop a load onto 😃
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!oooooooooooooooooooooooooo dammit my o key is stuck!!!
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
---
### Author:  [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/27 "2000-09-23T20:15:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \*
> \*\*Pop the key off with a screwdriver and blow vigorously. \*\*
The answer to so many of life’s problems.
---
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/28 "2000-09-23T21:18:58Z")
I was gonna play it all the way through, costing him .06 a
song, but since he is saving up for a new KB, I’ll settle
for knowing which of these pimply fac…fine musicians
he is.
---
### Author:  [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/29 "2000-09-23T21:26:08Z")
CP I am the one in front ( assuming we are looking at the same pic) making the fashion statement with the checked coat and polka dot tie. And if you aren’t looking at a picture I am the one singing lead. ahhhh that voice like butta…
---
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/30 "2000-09-23T21:46:00Z")
Okay.
So, my sister want’s to know, “Who’s the good looking one?”
---
### Author:  [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/31 "2000-09-23T21:49:37Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \*
> \*\*Okay.
> So, my sister want’s to know, “Who’s the good looking one?”
>
> \*\*
Ouch! Why you I oughta…
---
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [September 23, 2000, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/32 "2000-09-23T22:07:12Z")
I told her that one is Keith Richards.
---
### Author:  [@DRY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DRY)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2000, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/33 "2000-09-24T07:16:52Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by aha \*
> \*\*And just for the record I think DRY is mean for putting all those sex links in his reply. Yes I am guilty of liking…wait no loving sex ( especially with the human species) but intimating that I have looked at porn on my computer one handed is down right malicious.
> \*\*
I most certainly did NOT intimate that you have looked at porn on your computer one handed (unlike Nen, who didn’t intimate, either–he said it directly!).
I meant to intimate that you got your rocks off starting those threads!
😛
---
### Author:  [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)
#### Post date: [September 24, 2000, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198/34 "2000-09-24T15:01:10Z")
DRY sed:
> [@](#):
>
> I meant to intimate that you got your rocks off starting those threads!
Dear DRY,
(hanging head in shame) Guilty as charged.
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-underline-hyphen-key-is-gummed-up-and-sticking/34198.md?page=1)