I am thankful that Vince can work on computers and loves doing it. I don’t usually ruin things but I seem to be pretty rough on computers.
One thing that happens that isn’t my fault as far as I can tell is that my fingers wear the letters off the keyboard. I don’t look at the keys when I’m typing so it doesn’t bother me but on the rare occasions when Vince has to use my computer, he gets so frustrated that most of the letters are missing. It happens with every computer I use and it’s happened for years. I’m not sure if I just use the keyboard so much or if my skin is to acidic . . I have no idea.
Another thing that is my fault is that crumbs (and sometimes Dr. Pepper) get under the keys. A crumb that is so small you wouldn’t think it could cause any problems can completely stop a key from working. I’ve learned that when a key stops working or gets sluggish and I have to mash it really hard, I just get a kitchen knife, lift it up just enough to keep it from popping off and blow under it and it’s sadly surprising how much “stuff” comes flying out.
The other day Vince had to use my computer and he was flipping out because some of my keys were harder to press than others. I went and got my kitchen knife and was prepared to fix it when he said “NO! That is not how you fix a compute!” Works so well for me! 🙂
Keyboard
He said “I can order a new keyboard for $10.” A nice, shiny keyboard with all the letters! It feels like a new computer, except it’s kinda lopsided and pieces are missing. You can see where I’ve rubbed the mouse pad bald.
Vince, who cannot take the old keyboard off and throw it away, had it out messing with it. He was so sure it was worn out and I tried to tell him . . no, there’s just too much “stuff” under the keys. He tapped it across his lap and crumbs, a stitch marker or two and no telling what else fell out. I think he believes me now . . too much stuff under the keys. He’s in there messing with it now and he said “You should see what’s under some of these keys!” I said “You might specifically want to look at the C, the M, and the R.”
Then I said . . why are you messing with it when you can buy a new one for $10 and he said “This is how I learn!” Good answer, Vince!
I would say I’m going to do better and keep the new keyboard clean but I know how I am.
Maggie says
My husband put a new keyboard on my computer and it was an amazing fix!
Kim says
I have a pink rubber cover on mine, I love it I can take it off and rinse of the junk plus the letters don’t wear off.
justquiltin says
My computer keyboard at work has most the key letters rubbed off too but my laptop at home which is older hasn’t rubbed off at all. It’s funny to watch at work when one of the young IT guys comes to work on it and can’t find the key he needs. They always ask if I want a new keyboard — doesn’t bother me since I’m of the era where you learned to type on a typewriter without watching the keys.
debbierhodes says
I type by touch too.. we replace the wireless one for desktop when they rub off because he doesn’t know where letters are. I am the computer expert here and believe me I am not an expert!!! Right now the l and n are almost gone.. I had taken my old lap top to local computer place when a key came off.. they wouldn’t replace one key said my laptop wasn’t worth getting a new keyboard… had to believe them because I didn’t know.
TerriS says
I type for a living and I wear the letters off a new keyboard in a matter of months. I just leave them, but once in a while, my husband will get me a package of those stick on letters to put on the keys. I use a laptop, but I don’t use the laptop keyboard or mouse for work. I use a full sized wireless keyboard and mouse, and I don’t use the mouse much, because every time I have to take my hands off the keyboard, it slows me down. . The laptop keyboard is smaller, and it really slows me down too. I get paid on production, so the faster I can type, the more money I make, so I stick with the full sized keyboard instead of getting used to the laptop keyboard. I get crumbs and junk in it, but I just tip it up, or use a can of that air to blow it out and then it works fine. I end up replacing the keyboard about once a year because I use it so much it just wears out!!
JEANIE IN MO says
I’ve started putting plastic wrap on my keyboard to keep the crumbs and lint out. It works well and when holes wear thru on the most used keys I change the wrap. I’ve never worn the letters off a keyboard though.
Diane in CA says
Amazon sells silicone rubber keyboard skins.. fit perfectly.. come in a bunch of colors and they are cheap!!.. No more crumbs in my keyboard.
Dar in MO says
I don’t wear the letters off the keys very much, but I do have a problem with crumbs and other things getting under the keys, especially when I snack late at night. Where does Vince find a new keyboard for your Toshiba. That’s what my old computer is, which is where most of my useful software resides. I sure wish he were close to me so I could get him to clean it up for me. It runs very, very slowly, but I still use it almost every day.