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Laptop keyboard problems
Posted: 2004-11-13 05:31pm
by RedImperator
My laptop keyboard has mysteriously quit working on me. It simply stopped working the other day, in midsentence. None of the keys work, including, irritatingly enough, the volume controls for the computer's speakers. A regular keyboard plugged into the keyboard port will work.
I can't figure out why this happened. The machine is old and has taken some abuse--I'm wondering if it might be a short. I'm hoping it's a software problem, but I'm totally baffled at the moment. Any suggestions?
Posted: 2004-11-13 05:58pm
by Crayz9000
Is it a Dell, perchance?
Posted: 2004-11-13 06:02pm
by Batman
While I can't rule it out completely, I seriously doubt it's a software problem.
1.While laptops have this annyoing tendency of NOT having a BIOS battery (you have no idea how often that has frustrated me) if yours is of the rare breed that DOES, pull it.
2.It might be a short. My sympathies.
3. Unplugged/broken keyboard connector. If you're confident enough to open it up (no offense intended, I simply have no clue how computer-savvy you are) do so and check. I have no idea how you unplug a laptops internal keyboard but I HAVE seen it happen so...
4.I can't believe this was not the first thing I thought of. I blame old age.
Is the keyboard dead, PERIOD, or is it merely dead once the OS is up? Trying to operate the BIOS functions ought to be a dead giveaway. If the BIOS reacts but the OS doesn't, I'd say it's a software problem.
*looks it over*
Doesn't look like it's much help. Sorry.
Posted: 2004-11-13 06:32pm
by RedImperator
Crayz9000 wrote:Is it a Dell, perchance?
Yes, as a matter of fact. Is this a common problem?
Posted: 2004-11-13 06:45pm
by Crayz9000
RedImperator wrote:Crayz9000 wrote:Is it a Dell, perchance?
Yes, as a matter of fact. Is this a common problem?
Yes; Dell's laptop keyboards are known for being weak and unreliable. If you can, I'd suggest you send it back to the factory for repair.
Just do a Google search for "dell laptop keyboard failure" and you'll see what I mean.
Posted: 2004-11-13 08:16pm
by RedImperator
Unplugging the machine and removing the battery fixed the problem...for now, at least. This isn't the first time it's happened. I think it's getting to be time to retire this piece of junk.