I never had a problem with the membrane keys on my TS-1000, bt it sure did spawn a hefty aftermarket. Some were simply mechnical devices that fit on top of the real keyboard and then pressed the touch pads when you hit the key, others were full-fledged cases that you set the whole computer into and conected the regualr keyboard to the port where the original membrane keyboard connected. And everything in between. I myself built a little box to plug in the side that gave me motor control of my tape recorder plus a power switch and LED to turn the thing on and off, and a reset button.

My old TRS-80 Model 4P (a superior transportable design - they thought of everything, like how the handle was not at the physical center of the case but at the center of gravity for easier carrying. Served me well carrying it back and forth from college.), a TI99/4A I picked up on closeout, my Super Elf in its nicely designed and enameled case, and my TS-1000 are all stored away working at last check. Just waiting to open up my own museum of computer history. I have some classic early books as well. And my first DOS system still lives, a Zenith Z-158 4.77/8MHz dual speed system (bumped up with a NEC V20 CPU and 8087 match coprocessor, and dual 32MB RLL drives), I donated it tot he model railroad club I belonged to after I wrote a couple of FPD programs to track membership and who owned what equipment.

>Randy
>
>Can't say I'm surprised about the Sinclair, presumably people figured out years ago how to replace those keyboards...
>
>I regard my TRS-80II as a Model T Ford. People chucked them away when better models appeared, but one day nostalgia will see the things lovingly restored to show our grandkids who will hardly believe it.
>
>Regards
>
>JR