Keys Don't Work

[matapule]

My wife has a Dell laptop. Suddenly, the following keys don't work: z, x, c, v, m, comma, dot, right shift, and "enter." I took off the keypads to check for dirt or debris underneath. Nothing. She says she didn't spill anything on her keyboard.

Any ideas?

[TuNnL]

Re: Keys Don't Work

Buy a new keyboard. Keyboards are cheap (unless you prefer a wireless “comfort keyboard”). In any event, like anything else, keys eventually stop working.

I have an extra keyboard I’ve never used.

[matapule]

Re: Keys Don't Work

I have an extra keyboard I’ve never used.

Thanks for your offer but I have an extra keyboard too. The problem is, this is a laptop that she takes with her everywhere.

[Peshkwe]

Re: Keys Don't Work

Out of curiosity what style of laptop is it? Inspiron? ...latitude? what number?

Those keys are shortcut keys, maybe something got locked?

Try messing around with the function stuff:

http://support.dell.com/support/topi...n&toggle=false


Or try to look in the manual for your system:

http://support.dell.com/support/syst...cat=86&~cat=12

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Keys Don't Work

If it's the Dell Inspiron 2650, those keyboards go out quite often. I've replaced keyboards on three of them already. Replacing them is easy and it starts with removing the lid hinge covers then prying off the bezel trim piece ahead of the function keys. From there you'll see three or four mounting screws that hold down the keyboard. Once those are removed the keyboard will come loose and all it takes is to remove the attached ribbon cable and it's off.

Installation is just the reverse and it's done. 20-minutes and it's a completed job. Check out this website for fairly good pricing and delivery on laptop keyboards.

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Keys Don't Work

( woohoo! sup craig? welcome back )

[craigwatanabe]

Re: Keys Don't Work

This is gonna be one of my rare appearances as my new job has taken me from laid back retired to slammin car salesman. Working six days a week 11-hour days was not an easy transistion for me, but the training gloves are off and it's been a busy September for me.

Whovever said the car business was slowing down never worked for Big Island Toyota. I just sold the last 2009 (that's right...2009) Toyota Corolla XLE yesterday in Hilo. We gotta order more. I also sold the last 2008 Prius (NW package) that was allotted to us for September. It hasn't even been built yet and it's sold.

Man if this is the bad times for car sales, I can't wait until it get's better

Yeah so with my hectic schedule the only time I have now is RIGHT NOW, I'm hitting the sack in a couple of hours. Friday and Saturday I was running 13-hour work days. Tomorrow it'll be back to 11-hour days.

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Keys Don't Work

Working six days a week 11-hour days

*whistle*

well I'm glad business is brisk. thanks for the heads up, craig

[matapule]

Re: Keys Don't Work

If it's the Dell Inspiron 2650, those keyboards go out quite often. Check out this website for fairly good pricing and delivery on laptop keyboards.

Thanks Craig. Yes, I ran the diagnostics and the internal keyboard is toast. It is a Dell Inspiron 1705. It's cheaper putting in a new keyboard than buying a new laptop.

[matapule]

Re: Keys Don't Work

Just put a new keyboard in the laptop. I found a new one on Ebay for $20. It took 10 minutes to install. Everything is back to normal. Pretty easy and painless once you figure out what the problem is.

Mahalos to everyone, especially Craig W for all the help. We are ohana!