So I have poured a bit of OJ on the left of my laptop keyboard. That was a couple of days ago. Now the left Ctrl and Shift buttons are gunked up. When I press them, the action is all gunky and the Shift button does not work at all. :smack:
Has anybody any suggestions as to how I might remedy the situation without having to send it back to the manufacturer - Sony?
Thanks.
I would moisten a stiff napkin, slide the edge under the keys and swish it around a little to loosen up the gunk. Then I would take a dry napkin and slide the edge under the keys and swish it around a little to absorb the now-moist-gunk.
If that doesn’t work, hit it with a rock.
By the way, better to have OJ on your keyboard than OJ lurking outside your condo late at night (sorry, couldn’t resist… 
).
Oops, didn’t notice it was a laptop. Probably not a good idea. :smack:
At first I thought this was going to be a joke (like slash-slash-escape). Will the keys pry off? If so, that would be my first step. If not, I’d soak Q tips in alcohol and swab inside as best I could. You might also try shoving alcohol-soaked paper towel between the keys using a fingenail file to mop up the OJ.
Napkin Technique: Very tricky to squeeze anything between the keys. Unsuccessful.
Hit With Rock Technique: Rejected by health and safety comittee.
Dishwasher Technique: Rejected. Non dishwasher proof style laptop.
Pry The Keys Off Technique: Pry the keys off? Err… OK. (roots around for screwdriver). Hmmmmm. Thinks “well they don’t work anyway”. Oh… they come off! Much spraying with Foamclene ensues. Result: thoroughly degunked keyboard! Nice pleasant Ctrl and Shift action on both sides of keyboard. Much happiness. The Shift button still does not work. Suspect FUBAR. To test FUBAR hypothesis, may consider repeat of PTKO technique with even more Foamclene later.
Thanks to all for your suggestions. 
Our European correspondent is testing the Dishwasher Technique as we speak, in the interests of fighting ignorance. It helps, of course, that he has a keyboard knocking around which is both pre-gunked and previously abandoned. More updates as we get them.
You might be able to breathe some ligfe back into that shift key, yet. Get some pure acteone (not regular nail polish remover, which contains fragrance and other undesired additives) from a beauty-supply store. Pry off the shift keycap and put a few drops of it down the hole where the shaft goes. Put the keycap back on and work the action severalo times, while tilting the keyboard towards the edge where the key is located–the idea being to dissolve the gunk and let the solution run off to the outer edge, away from the key contacts. You may need to repeat this a few times, but with luck and patience, you’ll have your shift key working again. If you can’t fiond any acetone, you can also use pure isopropyl alcohol, shich you can get as tape head cleaner from electronics stores. Acetone is a bit more aggressive and also dries faster, though it is generally safe for most plastics.
Just be glad you don’t have O.J. Simpson on your keyboard! :eek:
I don’t know about your particular laptop model, but can’t the whole keyboard pad be “flipped up” on most laptops?
Acetone Modification to PTKO Technique: carried out spot test of acetone solvent on the hand-rest-bit next to the mouse-pointy-thing. Surface disappears. Grey-white blodge remains. Next stop: isopropy alcohol. If this fails, may revisit Hit With Rock Technique’s HAZOP analysis.
European correspondent: Looking forward to a report on the Dishwasher Technique. It appears you have a more accute case of keyboard gunk to deal with!
Well, you need wait no longer - this report is being typed on the very keyboard that was gunked. Typage certainly possible, although keys still somewhat stiff - I blame this on the drying-on of dishwasher chemicals and possibly some left-over moisture. Reckon it should loosen up with use though. The lettering on the keys is slightly faded. Had to dry them with a hairdryer, felt slightly foolish. I am also slightly disturbed that reassembly has left me with a single, small, leftover screw. Where did it come from? Was it important? Thinking about it, I probably should also have done the following things:
a) Only put the dishwasher on a short cycle,
b) Omitted the dishwasher tablet,
c) Not washed the keys with the rest of the dishes.
Still, I have a functioning keyboard, with a pleasing lemony smell. How many people can say likewise?