PANIC - Space bar not working student has to finish assignment!!!

rsykes2000

Try a USB keyboard if no PS2 port on laptop.

krishna

Are you sure there isn't a paperclip, staple or something else caught under the space bar? It's actually quite common in my experience. I'd try lifting the spacebar off with a screwdriver to check. That will also allow you to check if the spring has come dislodged and it's not usually difficult to see how to reconnect it.

As for the"-" instead of a space, provided she isnt using the - for anything else you can do a find and replace to sort that out. Only thing is it will replace hyphens as well. So to be sure, if she really needs to do this she would be better off using a less used character like a # or a =. Then when finished do Find > Replace. In find box type # (or whatever character you choose) and in replace box type a single space (which obviously won't actually dispay). Then click Replace All and you're sorted.

Richard1a

Before she does anything (particularly taking it to a shop,) make sure that her work, particularly her assignment, is backed up - and not just on her computer c: drive.

If its a laptop take it to a computershop and get an external keyboard that you can actually see being plugged in and working - you don't want to waste time going home and finding it doesn't work.

If it's not due in until Friday, rather than wasting time at shops etc my advice would be to save it to disk or e-mail it to a friend and borrow their computer. If this isn't possible can she use the University / Hospital library computers.

Best of luck
R

Lady_K

Thankyou

She is back home from the halls for tonight as she has her car mot tomorrow so she has brought it back with her. It does feel slightly different from the other keys like it doesn't connect my daughter said she thinks the springs are intact though as she can see in a certain light but I'll have a look.

I am a bit worried about taking off the key cover would it be just that single space bar to take off?

tomstickland

Copy and paste the space in from another document.
ie: CTR-C on a space and then use CTR-V to paste it in each time.
It also has a character code. Something like Alt + 032.

krishna

Space bar is slightly different from the other keys because it is long. So usually there will be two springs, one at each end, and a wire support that ensures the whole key is depressed, regardless of where you press. Just don't force it if you try to remove it. They all tend to vary a bit as to how they are set up.

Lady_K

Any tips on the best way to take it off? I just don't want to break it or make it more expensive to repair

tomstickland

Get a screwdriver or knife, hook it under and it should click off.

Stompa

marka87uk wrote:

Alt+0160 is what I often use...

Don't do that, it'll give you a hard space (ASCII 160) rather than a normal space (ASCII 32) and may have undesirable effects.

Lady_K

Thanx, I got it off ok and things looked normal so I put it back on carefully, tested it and its working fine now phew! Shes in bed now so she will be happy when she gets up

Thanx for everyones help will know what to do if it ever happens again