Laptop malfu6nctio6ni6ng keys

Bettingmad

Ca6n a6nyo6ne provide a6ny help with this pro5blem. I am o6n my DD laptop a6nd 6notice that the keys are 6not worki6ng correctly. My DD claims she does6nt k6now why this has happe6ned although I-/m 6not so sure. As you ca6n see from my text its very frustrati6ng typi6ng.
The pro5blem keys are

b - 5b
n - 6n
/ - -/
? - _-?

@- this key totally does6nt work a6nd was typed with character map
% - %B
^ - ^N
- -/

The seco6nd colum6n is what I get whe6n tryi6ng to type characters i6n the first colum6n.
Ca6n this 5be fixed _? Your help will 5be greatly appreciated as DD has take6n over my PC
Tha6nks

Psychofly

Sounds like something has been spilt on the keyboard making a few short circuits. Either that or it's just general wear and tear. You could probably get the laptop keyboard replaced but it's not usually a particularly cheap option. Certainly cheaper than replacing the laptop.
How long has this been happening ? If a liquid has spilt over the keys then the problem could clear up after it's dried out properly. If it is just wear and tear which is just as possible, then it's obviously not gonna sort itself out.
Does your insurance cover accidental damage ? How old is the laptop ?

Pont

Lol - I had this problem last week - it drives you mad doesn't it?!
OK, my problem started because I spilled coffee over my laptop - did DD perhaps do similar????
My advice (but bear in mind I'm not a techie):-
1) Try to hook in an external keyboard - it will perhaps indicate if it's a keyboard problem or a laptop problem.
2) If it's a keyboard problem (mine was) - order a new laptop keyboard (partsmaster was the best deal I found - around £20) and replace.
3) If a laptop problem try to restore to an earlier time period - worth a try.
I'm sure there's more knowledgeable people than me here who can offer better advice. However, mines working fine now. Good luck.

Psychofly

It could also be a problem with dirt and dust (less likely than spilt liquids). You could try getting a can of compressed air and see if that solves the problem.

£20 is quite a good price for a laptop keyboard if you're confident you can fit it. Sometimes companies will charge you a small fortune for laptop parts.

Bettingmad

Gosh that was quick, tha6nk you for your replies, I have spoke6n to DD a6nd asked if she has spilt somethi6ng over it, she tried de6nyi6ng it 5but she is 6not a very good liar. She told me that she spilt a small ammou6nt ofcoke o6n it a while ago a6nd tried to clea6n the key5board after removi6ng the keys with wate o6n cotto6n 5buds.
Is it difficult to cha6nge a key5board _?
The laptop is a Le6novo 3000 6n200

Psychofly

It shouldn't be too difficult mate but it does vary a lot between different laptop designs. Some of the just clip off, others unscrew. You should be able to find instructions on the web somewhere or you could check the companies website ? I reckon as long as you've got a couple of screwdrivers and a little patience you shouldn't have too much trouble.
Shame you're not in Stirling, I could of helped you out if necessary.

Oh and apologise to your daughter for me if I got her into trouble lol. Spilling things on laptops and keyboards is easy done lol.

Bettingmad

Tha6nks for all your help, will 6now go off a6nd do some research o6n fi6ndi6ng a replaceme6nt key5board. O6ne fi6nal questio6n, does the key5board 6need to 5be uk versio6n or will a US o6ne do the jo5b _?
Its her ow6n laptop so 6no trou5ble has 5bee6n caused to her:cool:

Psychofly

UK one would be better but a US one would do if that's all you can get. The only difference is what is written on the keys. In a US keyboard the '2' key has the @ symbol. A UK keyboard has the " symbol. The " and @ are basically the opposite way round on US and UK. It won't make a difference when typing if Windows is set to UK layout, it just makes it a little confusing if you have to look at the keyboard to find these keys.

US layout might be easier to find and therefore cheaper.

Bettingmad

Tha6nk you very much Psychofly a6nd the others for all your ki6nd help:beer:

Pont

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/US-Notebook-Keyboard-for-LENOVO-3000-C460%2FC462%2FC100_W0QQitemZ160337090075QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090523?IMSfp=TL090523122003r35451

http://www.sparepartswarehouse.com/IBM-Lenovo,Lenovo-3000,Laptop,Keyboards.aspx

Both seem reasonable prices but from HongKong/USA.

My Advent 9617 was easy to change. Remove battery, unscrew back, prise back clips at edge of keyboard (from top), remove keyboard, disconnect from terminal (pull out), wipe off gunge carefully, connect new keyboard (push into gap), insert new keyboard, push down firmly until it clicks into place. Hey presto - it works (well it did in my case!). Good luck.