Green fluid on the connector (Model F)

[Andre.S]

Can I continue using the keyboard as is?

The fluid is odorless. It is detected after the Soarer converter has been connected for a while. I wiped it off, but it's still unclear if there's any residue. Otherwise, the keyboard works perfectly.

[Falkenroth]

Looks like some kind of dielectric grease to me. Somebody probably just trying to protect it from corrosion.

[modelf]

I acquired, later sold, a 1981 model F (XT) keyboard with green greasy stuff on the DIN5 connector. I just assumed it was put there by IBM.

[AndyJ]

A normal PC-XT Model F has 1u striking surfaces on all keys, even when they're 1.75 or 3u.

Only the keypad '+' key is like that on this board. The rest of the keys have tops the same as their bottoms. And I've never seen a beveled Enter key like that.

Is this an example of one of those "stick on cover" kits, or custom keycaps, or some kind of terminal keys on a "Personal Computer" badged board?

[Polecat]

My F-XT has the black version of those. Stick on covers, with the original caps underneath. Mine has a plain IBM badge, no "Personal Computer". No model number unfortunately, but it speaks normal PC/XT. .

viewtopic.php?p=485652#p485652

A couple replies down I posted links to a few more examples and some history and details.

[JacobMurphy]

Thank you so much for sharing the link.