Problems with laptop's keyboard!

geraint83

Hi,

I've had my present laptop (a Dell Inspiron 8100) since 2001 and has been working great until the 6, 7, y, u, h, j, n, and m keys on the keyboard stopped working recently (the broken keys form a diagonal line).

The problems could possibly be due to the fact that one of the PCMCIA ports contains a USB2 adaptor card and that it might be using up too much of the computer's power. While this card is attached, the mentioned keys don't work at all, but when the PCMCIA slot has been empty for a while and the laptop restarted, the keys work for a while before failing to respond again.

Does anyone here have any idea what the problem could be? Is it likely that I'll have to change the keyboard (which would cost around £20 on eBay) or is the motherboard at fault (a hefty £100 on eBay which would make it more economical to buy another laptop)?

Any advice would be appreciated!

albertross_2

Try taking the keyboard off (usually held in by screws on the bottom marked K), and reseating the ribbon cable which attaches it to the motherboard, and make sure numlock is off.

geraint83

albertross wrote:

Try taking the keyboard off (usually held in by screws on the bottom marked K), and reseating the ribbon cable which attaches it to the motherboard, and make sure numlock is off.

Sorry if this is a silly question, but in saying 'reseating' do you mean actually unplugging the ribbon and then re-attaching it, or only making sure that it isn't squashed under the keyboard?

Thanks.

albertross_2

unplugging and replugging, or just push it down firmly. You can sometimes do it without unscrewing the keyboard by putting firm pressure with the palm of your hand all over the keyboard (The socket is usually in the centre)

The pcmcia card may just be flexing the case slighlty, causing the ribbon cable to become slightly loose.

geraint83

Thanks for the advice albertross. I've taken a look under the keyboard and the ribbon was slightly crushed (possibly by the removable floppy drive which I exchange for the CD drive in the front bay). I unplugged and then replugged the cable, but when the laptop was turned back on the problem was worse with more keys not working.

I'm guessing that the problem is down to there being a bend in the keyboard ribbon, so I'll have to buy a new keyboard.

It couldn't be anything else, could it?

albertross_2

Oh.. sorry it got worse..!

All I can suggest is to test it while the keyboard is unscrewed to see if you can identify where the break in the connection is. I have fixed a broken ribbon cable before by sticking a bit of tape in a strategic place, which held the break in the cable together.

Also, double check that it is firmly in the connector.

Failing that, you may be able to just get a new ribbon cable, or a new keyboard from ebay, or Dell.

When you say slightly crushed, is it obviously damaged, as they normally have a bend in them. I'd be surprised if the floppy drive bay caused it, they don't normally go anywhere near the ribbon cable.

replacements aren't cheap..

http://www.portables.co.uk/acatalog/Dell_20FEU_keyboard.html

geraint83

Thanks for all your advice.

Have tested the keyboard unscrewed and was unable to fix the problem. The ribbon has a number of creases in it where it has been crushed, and although the ribbon itself isn't torn, perhaps the wires in the ribbon have been squeezed to much (how, I'm not sure...).

I also checked and the connection was firmly in place.

I don't think I have any other option now than to try a new keyboard. I've searched on eBay and have found the 1C401 rather than the 20FEU - the auction says that they will both fit the inspiron 8100 but that he former doesn't have the nipple mouse (this isn't really necessary since I've never used it).

The new keyboard would be priced £24 on eBay, and if it doesn't work I'm sure I'll be able to try and sell it again! I'm just hoping that it isn't anything else that's causing the problems...

geraint83

Albertross:

Thanks for all your advice. I bought a new laptop from eBay in the end (the one without the nipple mouse) and it arrived today. Just attached it and it works perfectly!

Hopefully the five year old laptop will keep on going for a while yet... (well, until I've finished my dissertation!).