Comments on: Das Keyboard: Disassembly and Analysis

By: Laci

Laci — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:22:09 +0000

Great work, Geoff!

I was thinking about this hack myself, but you've made it. You're the man!

By: Geoff Breach

Geoff Breach — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 07:22:09 +0000

László thanks for your advice on how to get this keyboard apart! I'd have made a big mess if not for you! Your notes on the positioning of the hidden clips was very helpful.

You might be interested to know that I've just posted a page that extends your advice by showing how to 'hack' the keyboards to make the left 'Fn' key function as a Windows/Super/Command key.

http://www.geoffbreach.com/hacks/das-keyboard-hack/

Best wishes!

Geoff

By: Laci

Laci — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:08:26 +0000

Hey Darin,

First, you have to disconnect the space bar from the underlying switch which you can do by applying a moderate upward force to the space bar by using some solid object, like a scissor.

After the space bar won't sit on the switch you'll notice that a metal frame still connects the space bar and the metal plate. You can easily flip the frame out from the underlying holder with the tip of the scissor.

Finally, I think you can apply pretty much any kind of grease and it should work fine. Reassembling the space bar is pretty straightforward.

By: Darin

Darin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:44:03 +0000

Hello everyone. I just got my Das Keyboard today and I also noticed some squeaking with the space bar. I'm wondering if someone could tell me how to remove the spacebar keycap without taking the whole thing apart, and what type of lubricating grease to apply. I don't want to mess thing thing up.

By: Laci

Laci — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:10:15 +0000

I'm happy that your Das works, Dimitry. I've only used Das with Ubuntu without any such problems, so don't have any experiences with Windows 7.

By: Dmitry

Dmitry — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:43:02 +0000

It'a amazing, but my keyboard works! There're some glitches, but it works. So, after reboot it isn't identified by Windows 7. I had such problem before, but USB Y-cable helped me.. now I have that issue again, and cable doesn't help. After every restart I have to replug keyboard.

By: Dmitry

Dmitry — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:40:48 +0000

Laci, thank you for quick reply!
There's no retailer here in Russia.. I've ordered this keyboard via Internet and "Das keyboard" support can't help me. So, I'll try to contact Metadot.
Thanks!

By: Laci

Laci — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:51:56 +0000

Hey Dmitry, I'm not sure where can you have a replacement PCB from, but your retailer from which you got your Das might know so I suggest you to ask them or contact Metadot directly. The other alternative is finding with a multimeter which SMD on the PCB got broken and order only the broken components but it can be *much* work, so it's probably only for electronics geeks. Hope it helps.

By: Dmitry

Dmitry — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:39:22 +0000

Hi,
I've been using Das Keyboard III for 6 months and can say that it's the best keyboard I've ever used. But several days ago, it was spilled with some clean water... :( And now it doesn't work. Do you know, how can it be repaired? All keys are ok, but the controller PCB doesn't work properly: when I plug it to computer, all 3 LEDs turn on lighting and there's no reaction on pressing any key. So, do you know the exact name of this controller (to find it at Google)? or can it be replaced by some another controller? Or maybe you can tell me, where I can order it...
Thank you.

By: Laci

Laci — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:54:55 +0000

You do not have to disassemble the keyboard in order to apply the grease. You just remove the space keycap, apply the grease and put the keycap back.