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Help with sticky keys

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:37 am
by ripple
I have an RCA RCU810 with a JP1 plug added and have been able to reprogram my keys just fine. I have some problems with keys that seem "sticky" and am wondering if others have experienced this. 3 or 4 keys (up/down/select/guide) appear to do nothing when pushed *unless* you hold the key for 4-5 seconds. This happens even if I push the key and don't move it around which leads me to believe it's not just a dirty contact. If the contacts were dirty I would think it would either work or not work when I hold the button without moving.

Is this really a dirty contact issue or is there something else going on?

Thanks,
Kevin

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:07 am
by Nils_Ekberg
Is this a case where you are using a built in device or added an upgrade? When you press these buttons do you see the LED blink or any indication that a signal was sent?

This may be that for the particular device the one press signal may not be long enough or repeat enough for the device to accept it.

We need more details on the device code that you are using to be able to figure out if it is the code or the hardware.

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:12 am
by ripple
This happens with all built in devices and an upgrade. My RCU810 doesn't have an LED so the only indication I have that it is sending anything is when the device responds. If I push and release the select key, nothing happens. If I push and hold it for 4-5 seconds, the device finally responds. When I use the original remote for the device it responds instantly.

I can tell on the LCD display that the button is not recognized unless held down because if I push Code Search until Code Set is displayed, pushing the down arrow doesn't do anything unless held. All this implies it's hardware to me, I guess I'm just wondering if cleaning the button contacts will help. Any ideas what else this could be?

Thanks,
Kevin

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:52 am
by Nils_Ekberg
Thats kind of what I was expecting. It sounds like hardware to me also. I just wanted to rule out software problems.

Since you already modified it for jp1 I guess there is no way of returning it unless you can remove the pins and make it look like they were never there. There is good odds they will not look inside anyway.

You could try taking it apart and making sure everything is seated correctly. It may be as simple as buttons not lined up with pads. While you are in there you could clean up what you can get to and see if that helps.

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:56 am
by The Robman
I really don't think you need to worry about removing the pins if you do decide to return the remote. Not only is it very unlikely that anyone would look in the battery compartment, even if they did, why would they suspect that they pins shouldn't be there?

You'd only get in trouble if the person at the returns desk just happened to be a JP1-er, but even then I would expect them to honor the secret society JP1 code and not give you any grief! :)

Seriously though, I think you should just open it up and make sure everything's in OK.

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:39 am
by ripple
Thanks for the advice guys. I've actually had the remote for over a year already so doubt I would bother with trying to return it (secret society or not :) ). I'll give it a thorough check inside and if it still acts flaky then it's time for me to get a new remote (one that comes with pins already installed of course!)

Kevin

Not responding keys

Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 11:36 am
by allen_harbour
Hi,
I had a similar problem with deifferent keys.
Time didn't seem to do much but I had to push very to get the PLAY key works.
I dissemble the remote and cleaned the contacts on both the circuit board and the key pad. It was even worst.
I then us a pencil and rub it on the black portion of the problem key and it work fine for now.

Hope this will be of any help.

Regards

Allen