Seem to poop out a common computer keyboard after five months. Benn getting the used $1 to 3 specials (the current one says COMPAQ at top) at the local electronics swap meet. But yesterday it began to squeek when certain keys are pushed down. I invert and shake out the dust every so often, but that is only part of the problems here. The keys began to jamb or give resistance more than one month ago, but now are noisey too. About time to install another "Special" then. But first, it works good, and would like to attempt to rescue this one. I would like to lubricate the shafts to the keys a bit, making them go up and down easier (and with less noise and resistance). Everything still works OK right now, but what should I use or what have you tried? The "O and A" seem to be going into their last days now as they stick and jamb quite often. And where do you obtain one of the Fix-it kits nowadays? Wm.

Hold the keyboard upside down over the sink and use a wet brush on it. Go both directions between the keys. Wipe off the excess dampness and let it dry for a day. If still squeaking then try spraying WD-40 on it. Go lightly with it.

I tried the WD-40 route years ago. I froze nearly all of the keys stiff. Anything involving water was bad too. For after two days of drying, the KB got plugged back in and then got a howling noise out of the computer, like from a short or something. I figure whatever used to be sold in repairmen's Kits is what I need. But I don't know what it was, if available separately, but know it was not the aerosol Plain Air they once carried. Wm.

Well, I have cleaned keyboards with water as I described. You need to hold the keyboard upside down when brushing with a wet brush.

You've just been a bit unlucky with keyboards and the throw-away society has resulted in little interest in supplying repair kits. I've had keyboards completely apart, cleaned them and fixed non-working keys. Like you though, I found that when the keys themselves are squeeky clean - they squeek LOL. Maybe the "slightest trace" of sewing machine oil rubbed around the key base sides would help. Then wipe it off because they have only got to have seen the mere presence of lubricant. You would need to experiment on the worst keys but this does mean dismantling. EDIT: Googling "Computer keyboard lubricant" gave several ideas, but there is a risk that some products could actually attack the plastic and make things worse. Rather than spend money on cleaners/lubricants, probably the best way forward is to save up for a more upmarket replacement. I've found Logitech stuff pretty reliable. some other bloke...

Since it's a 98% chance that it's a tosser....see if you can pop out the keys. Be sure t set them up in order so you know how to put them back in. Once the keys are out cleaning is much easier. :-)