Dead keys, Think Outside Stowaway keyboard

Rocket_PC · 08-28-09, 01:23 AM

Dear friends here at Mobility Site,

First, thank you Mobility Site for sending my the birthday greeting this summer.

My question concerns inoperable keys on my Think Outside Stowaway Universal Bluetooth Keyboard. Model number XTBT01. My pocket pc is the Dell Axim x51v.

The keys that do not respond are the M, J, K, L and the right space bar. Note that these are a cluster of keys at the right of center of the keyboard. The keyboard folds at that location, also. I have not spilled anything on the keyboard, and take somewhat good care of it, although it has at times been packed into my backpack. I've had it for a couple years, only using it occasionally.

Any suggestions on what the problem is? I can do minor repairs on mechanical things, but this instrument is so delicate, I believe I may ruin it if opening it, myself. I did spray out the keys with canned air, with no luck. Is there a place I can send this for repair? Any possibility this could be some software problem?

Thank you for your time and attention on this subject.

Don

Gigi · 08-28-09, 08:40 AM

Hi Don,

Have you tried contacting the manufacturer for assistance? From what I have read, Think Outside (now iGo, I believe) has excellent customer service. Even if the keyboard is no longer under warranty, they still might be able to help you.

EDIT: It seems you are not the only one with this problem. See here for an example:

http://www.expansys-usa.com/ft.aspx?k=35084

Give some of the suggested fixes a try. Good luck!

Rocket_PC · 08-29-09, 02:30 AM

Hi Gigi, Thank you for your reply to the message I posted yesterday.

If you say the manufacturer has good support after warranty time, then I'll have to look them up by Google (here in the next few days). I have misplaced the receipts/invoice, but could probably use the serial number on the keyboard.

Thank you also for posting the link to expansys. Appears that the people posting there have the same exact problem with the keyboard that I have. I may try the repair suggestion there, though I am concerned that the manufacturer would reject requests for repair if the product has been tampered.

Don

spunker88 · 08-31-09, 08:23 PM

Something similar happened to my ir keyboard. For some reason if i punched the key repeatedly like a hundred times it would start working again. I also found that fresh batteries were always needed, of course that was a separate issue, as the automatic shutoff function died.

I was really pleased with the think outside keyboards when i first got them, but nowadays i think they are low quality.

Rocket_PC · 08-31-09, 09:38 PM

My "think outside the keyboard" is made of plastic; For the price, it should have been aluminum. The ppc holder creates a stupid hump in the middle when folded. So, because it isn't flat, it prevents me from stacking other items onto it, when packing my bag. There is a large irregular gap when the keyboard is folded. With this gap, there is no structural support to prevent outside pressure of the keys onto each other, when the keyboard is folded and being toted. I don't believe they did much thinking when they named their product "Think Outside the Stowaway..." It was overated and overpriced, with no competition, as there was absolutely no other choice for a bluetooth keyboard for pocket PCs.

Anybody with suggestions on how to open the back of the keyboard? I'd like to apply electrical tape, as explained here, I believe is to keep the circuit open for failing keys.

Don

spunker88 · 09-01-09, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Rocket_PC

My "think outside the keyboard" is made of plastic; For the price, it should have been aluminum. The ppc holder creates a stupid hump in the middle when folded. So, because it isn't flat, it prevents me from stacking other items onto it, when packing my bag. There is a large irregular gap when the keyboard is folded. With this gap, there is no structural support to prevent outside pressure of the keys onto each other, when the keyboard is folded and being toted. I don't believe they did much thinking when they named their product "Think Outside the Stowaway..." It was overated and overpriced, with no competition, as there was absolutely no other choice for a bluetooth keyboard for pocket PCs.

Anybody with suggestions on how to open the back of the keyboard? I'd like to apply electrical tape, as explained here, I believe is to keep the circuit open for failing keys.

Don

I actually took mine apart and redid the battery compartment since the auto shutoff stopped working. I tightend connections i could reach and with the new battery compartment it seemed to work better.

One thing i noticed when i had mine apart was that the wires they used on areas with moving parts were way too thin. Regular use was enough to ruin them after a few years. I upped the guage wherever i could.

This fix worked for about a year as i couldnt get inside to the actual kb without ripping the whole thing apart.

Rocket_PC · 09-01-09, 11:24 PM

Thank you for your reply. I don't intend on "tearing apart" my keyboard. I hope that I get a reply at Exspansys. The activity there is very slow. However, they did have a solution for repairing the failing keys. A switch that is activated when opening and closing the keyboard is taped down. Like I said, after removing all of the small screws, the plate covering is still partially fastened. I also should try contacting the new business owner of this keyboard, "iGo", for suggestions. Currently, because of my night shift, it has been too late to call them during their business hours.

Don