AR-168S strange problem

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  • kirkeb
    Technician
    • Dec 2012
    • 31
    #1

    [Misc] AR-168S strange problem

    Keyboard will not work. Or almost won't work. Numeric keys, menu, enter, exposure, magnification, mode switch won't work. Print button only works if you press and press and press, then only works if you hit the magic spot. Every time you press a key the display gets cloudy.

    However if you press #*C* to put in test command mode those work fine. Once in test command mode, the numeric keys work flawlessly. As does the print switch. The lightest touch activates it. Hit the CA key to get out of test command mode and the keys won't work again. At first I was thinking keyboard PWB. Then after discovering that they worked in test command mode....

    Any ideas?
    Tags: None
    • ZOOTECH
      Senior member of CRS

      Site Contributor
      2,500+ Posts
      • Jul 2007
      • 3375
      #2
      Re: AR-168S strange problem

      Originally posted by kirkeb
      Keyboard will not work. Or almost won't work. Numeric keys, menu, enter, exposure, magnification, mode switch won't work. Print button only works if you press and press and press, then only works if you hit the magic spot. Every time you press a key the display gets cloudy.

      However if you press #*C* to put in test command mode those work fine. Once in test command mode, the numeric keys work flawlessly. As does the print switch. The lightest touch activates it. Hit the CA key to get out of test command mode and the keys won't work again. At first I was thinking keyboard PWB. Then after discovering that they worked in test command mode....

      Any ideas?
      The key switches may work under the diag conditions, but the control for regular operations may not enable the switches.
      Just guessing here, but the keyboard pwb should be the first thing to try.
      "You can't trust your eyes, if your mind is out of focus" --

        Comment

        • DAKOTADAN
          Technician

          50+ Posts
          • Jan 2011
          • 61
          #3
          Re: AR-168S strange problem

          Originally posted by kirkeb
          Keyboard will not work. Or almost won't work. Numeric keys, menu, enter, exposure, magnification, mode switch won't work. Print button only works if you press and press and press, then only works if you hit the magic spot. Every time you press a key the display gets cloudy.

          However if you press #*C* to put in test command mode those work fine. Once in test command mode, the numeric keys work flawlessly. As does the print switch. The lightest touch activates it. Hit the CA key to get out of test command mode and the keys won't work again. At first I was thinking keyboard PWB. Then after discovering that they worked in test command mode....

          Any ideas?
          I have had to resolder all the pin conections under the keyboard
          PC board, they get cracked loose from people stabbing
          at the keys to hard. Hope this helps
          Dan.

            Comment

            • draph
              Trusted Tech

              100+ Posts
              • Jan 2010
              • 132
              #4
              Re: AR-168S strange problem

              Go into menu and check what the key beep length is. You can adjust the length of time a key needs to be held down before it takes effect.

              Had a customer play with this on an AR-208. Drove me nuts until I stumbled onto it.

                Comment

                • blackcat4866
                  Master Of The Obvious

                  Site Contributor
                  10,000+ Posts
                  • Jul 2007
                  • 22995
                  #5
                  Re: AR-168S strange problem

                  Originally posted by DAKOTADAN
                  I have had to resolder all the pin conections under the keyboard
                  PC board, they get cracked loose from people stabbing
                  at the keys to hard. Hope this helps
                  Dan.
                  Machines of this era had a lot of problems with cold solder joints, either at the switches or at the board connector. Most of the time it's obvious (especially with a 10x lighted magnifier). Here's the test that I would do:

                  1) Set your meter to the lowest resistance setting (usually beeps)
                  2) Place your leads on the opposing legs of the switch, and press the switch 5 or 10 times. Readings of less than 0.5 ohms are preferable. If more I would replace the switch from a scrap PWB.
                  3) If the switch meters OK, follow the traces out from your contacts points to the next solder joint, then meter again while pressing the switch. If you get resistance or intermittency you've got cold solder joints at the switch.
                  4) Repeat many more times for the remaining switches. The ones that usually wear out are Print or Start, Stop/Clear, and Exposure Setting.

                  In a pinch, you can relocate a switch from a location that you hardly ever use, to a function that you frequently use. Keep in mind that these little plastic switches are easy to cook to death with the soldering iron. Run the iron a little hotter, solder quick, and move on. If it doesn't take quickly move on, and try again when that leg has cooled down a little.

                  I was just thinking today that the manufacturers must have improved the panels recently, because I have used only a few switches in the last 5 or 6 years. The last couple were HP LJ4200 paper size switches, on the paper size PWB. That model must be a dozen years old. =^..^=
                  If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
                  1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
                  2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
                  3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
                  4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
                  5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

                  blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                    Comment

                    • kirkeb
                      Technician
                      • Dec 2012
                      • 31
                      #6
                      Re: AR-168S strange problem

                      Originally posted by draph
                      Go into menu and check what the key beep length is. You can adjust the length of time a key needs to be held down before it takes effect.

                      Had a customer play with this on an AR-208. Drove me nuts until I stumbled onto it.

                      Winner!
                      Thanks so much for all replies.
                      (It drove me nuts as well. Why this would be a feature, or needed, is beyond me.)

                        Comment

                        • draph
                          Trusted Tech

                          100+ Posts
                          • Jan 2010
                          • 132
                          #7
                          Re: AR-168S strange problem

                          Hey, thanks for letting us know. I've been wondering what the out come had been.

                            Comment

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