Are OLPC XO keyboards having widespread problems?

The OLPC XO -- it's all rainbows, hugging, and laser beams of learning, right? Maybe not, kind reader. Apparently, users of the diminutive, educationally themed laptop are experiencing a rash of "stuck key" issues which are causing tons of headaches (and possibly some heartbreak as well). It seems that keys are becoming stuck in activated positions, and / or are being triggered by key presses nearby. The company is aware of the problem, but can't pinpoint a single cause, as the components are made by a variety of manufacturers. For now OLPC is asking customers to RMA the laptops so they can get the repairs they so desperately need, though we're not sure how this is going to play out in the developing areas where the XOs are being rolled out. Well, they can probably just take them to the hospital.

[Aguiluz @ Apr 20th 2008 8:09PM]

It's apparent they haven't done a field test yet. :-(

[cmonkey @ Apr 20th 2008 8:22PM]

They been doing field tests for over a year.

The keyboard revision on some of the mass production XOs have stuck CTRL and/or ALT keys. It's a pretty minor problem since there are fixes for in hardware and in software. Also, the cause has been known for a while; that's just an old forum post.

The hardware fix is to take it apart (intentionally an easy thing to do), and clean the area below the key with rubbing alcohol.

The software fix is to remap the key to the Meta (think Windows) key, which is currently unused.

http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Stuck_keys

[Rocketboy @ Apr 21st 2008 4:50PM]

So the fix is basically 'don't do that'?

[Fusion @ Apr 20th 2008 8:19PM]

thats one ugly laptop

[Aguiluz @ Apr 20th 2008 9:26PM]

Actually... It looks like...

It makes me think... Of candy. I like it!

[ThePengwin @ Apr 21st 2008 1:50AM]

On the topic of ugly, thats one ugly avatar crop

[beoirluvsbeer @ Apr 20th 2008 8:41PM]

Problem is simple: Yes
Easy fix to it: Yes
Indicator of long term problems due to outsourcing and quality controls: Yes

I wonder if the designers realized that some of the people that get these items go to school in 3rd world nations where the school floor is dirt, and electricity is probably close to non-existant.

[David @ Apr 20th 2008 9:51PM]

"I wonder if the designers realized that some of the people that get these items go to school in 3rd world nations where the school floor is dirt, and electricity is probably close to non-existant."

Um, this is the whole point of this laptop. It's been designed specifically for such facts, which is why there's mesh networking (for all machines to share one internet connection), why the keyboard has a rubber covering in the first place (keep out dirt), why it's user serviceable and why you can also obtain solar charging or even hand-pull charging accessories. It's specifically *because* of the highly publicized attention to this kind of detail that failures such as stuck keys stand out and have become news.

[andres @ Apr 20th 2008 9:02PM]

i would expect, after all, thats who they designed them for

[N30 G30 @ Apr 20th 2008 9:36PM]

The keys are sealed in to protect the computer from dust and liquids.

also...
"DC power: 6mm (1.65mm center pin) connector; 11 to 18 V input usable, –32 to 40 V input tolerated; power draw limited to 15 W;"
http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/hardware/specs.shtml

It is very power efficient.

They did think of putting a crank in, but:
"The yellow crank, while cute, in the end proved impractical; it migrated to the AC adapter as it also morphed into one or more other types of human-power devices."
http://www.laptop.org/en/laptop/design/

[gletob @ Apr 20th 2008 8:47PM]

Is it can or can't? fix it engadget ("For now OLPC is asking customers to RMA the laptops so they ca get the repairs they so desperately need, though we're not sure how this is going to play out in the developing areas where the XOs are being rolled out.")

[Neebs @ Apr 20th 2008 8:55PM]

"laser beams of learning, right?"

Don't you mean frickin' laser beams of learning?

[andres @ Apr 20th 2008 9:03PM]

don't you mean sharks with frickin' laser beams of learning

[Larson @ Apr 20th 2008 9:09PM]

I think you mean frickin radioactive ultra-doom-sharks with frickin super powerful blue laser beams of learning on their frickin heads. Because blue laser beams look cooler.

[phisrow @ Apr 20th 2008 9:06PM]

@Beoirluvsbeer;

These things are specifically designed for hostile environments. They used a sealed membrane keyboard, rather than an off-the-shelf one in order to deal with dust and moisture. The laptop accepts a wide range of voltages, and can survive exposure to an even wider range. They aren't perfect; but the designers knew exactly what they were doing.

[Jake E. @ Apr 20th 2008 9:26PM]

Minnnnnnnnnnnnne seems to worrrrrrrrrrrrrk just finnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne.................................

[Kurian @ Apr 20th 2008 10:46PM]

You comment should ideally be Highest Ranked, but for some reason I can't seem to put my finger on..FAIL.

[Crush @ Apr 20th 2008 10:51PM]

@Kurian

Actually I got a little chuckle when I read his post. With that, you, sir, fail.

[Rynth @ Apr 21st 2008 5:48AM]

Looks to me like hes using a bluetooth logitech keyboard..

[smk @ Apr 21st 2008 9:38AM]

Oh gawd their wireless IR keyboards suck more :D

[zunq @ Apr 20th 2008 9:40PM]

"though we're not sure how this is going to play out in the developing areas where the XOs are being rolled out"
Given that they never seen a computer they'll probably interpret it as a feature. Gives new meaning to "sticky keys".

[YoMomma @ Apr 20th 2008 10:00PM]

great review!

[wilwilwil @ Apr 20th 2008 10:36PM]

Two Laptops Per Child?

[christopheraven @ Apr 20th 2008 10:39PM]

but does it play Robotron?

[Laughing Man @ Apr 21st 2008 1:18AM]

It is sad to say, but it looks like a good idea will die in a mound or returns and replacements. They will end up in the red if this keeps up for much longer.

[aardvark sandwich @ Apr 21st 2008 7:36AM]

God DAMN, thats ugly.

[smk @ Apr 21st 2008 9:37AM]

Is it a good idea to microwave this?

[DrunkenCP @ Apr 21st 2008 10:11AM]

The keyboard was the deciding factor in my buying an Eee PC over an XO. I was weighing the pros and cons of both, and that horrendous looking keyboard tipped the scales to the Eee. They should have taken into account how many times a key on a keyboard gets hit. The rubberized keys would probably work fine on a calculator, but not something that gets flailed away on for extended periods of time. My Eee lives in a clean, dry world where it's carried around in a case and has friendly electrical outlets everywhere though, so there you have it.

[Jacob Rose @ Apr 21st 2008 11:51AM]

On the other hand, I've had mine since right after the ordering process, and mine failed just after the warranty period ended. Actually, it started before then, but I didn't realize that it was a hardware problem until my Ctrl key finally stayed stuck.

I replaced my XO's keyboard with a tiny USB model that (mostly) fits in the same space: http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-USB-Keyboard-into-an-OLPC-XO-Laptop-/

The amazing thing about these laptops is the software. It's a bit flaky, and a bit slow, both of which are mostly the result of small memory and slow clock speed, but when you get two of these laptops in a room and put them on a mesh network, you'll see the real fun of these machines.

It's too bad that such a key (ha ha) component has so many common failures (stuck keys, keycaps pulling off, etc), essentially dooming a large percentage of these machines. Seems like OLPC should have included some replacement parts with each XO, especially a backup keyboard.

[Greg Baz @ Apr 21st 2008 1:44PM]

The fix for the stuck keys is to block pr0n.