Laptop keyboard fault :(

simpywimpy

Took my sons laptop in for a recurring fault with it not charging. The bit where you plug your charger into the laptop wasnt holding the connection so needed replacing again.

Shop I normally use have had it nearly three weeks now and replaced the connector but are now saying the keyboard isnt working...well it was when I dropped it off ....but they are now saying that with the charging connector shorting it may have blown something inside.

My point is that it wasnt shorting, it was just loose inside . Are they trying to pull a fast one here?? I have a feeling they are going to charge me for the keyboard repair too (or a separate keyboard if they cant)

totalsolutions

Can't short to something else --its partially loose inside and has nowhere to go to touch and cause a short, IYSWIM. I call it hogwash.
And go easy on the little sockets and learn to fix it yourself as going on your record (two) repairs already you will have too.

JasX

Either 1 they've damaged the motherboard in the course of the repair, can happen on its own but usually doesn;t so long as repairer doesn;t mishandle the laptop when stripping it down.

Or 2 laptop data cable wasn't plugged in properly under laptop when they put it back together (or a replacement keyboard is needed), I'd hope the repair company would have the decency to test it with another known good laptop keyboard to tell them which it is.

In actually in any of the above cases I'd expect them to sort it out for you.

busenbust

Is the machine under warranty? Allow the manufacturer to perhaps resolve the problem(s) .

closed

Check the ribbon cable connecting the keyboard to motherboard is firmly in, and they haven't damaged the plastic connector(s) that holds the ribbon cable in place.

CHR15

Those little ribbon connectors can be little swines to remove/attach.

Sounds most likely they have damaged it whilst disassembling/re-assembly.

You could most likely see it quite clearly but I suppose, if you sent it into a shop to get the pin changed, this is beyond your capabilities.

Keyboards don't cost much though, if we knew the make model, we could find a price for a replacement.

marleyboy

Insist you knew the keyboard was working when they got it, and that only something "they" have done could cause the keyboard to suddenly stop working, effectively a keyboard doesn't short out by the power connector, its effectively a separate component attached to the unit via a ribbon cable,thus quite impossible to short out.

simpywimpy

Thanks so much for your replies. It's my 17yr olds laptop and they never treat them gently enough.

The shop definately said the connector had shorted the keyboard so at least now I am armed with the correct info - it can't happen!

They were supposed to phone me today but didn't and judging by their attitude when I told them it was definately working, it will be a bit of a fight to get them to fix the keyboard fault for free.

simpywimpy

UPDATE
The shop is saying that there is nothing they can do to fix the fault. The laptop will work with an external keyboard but they have no idea what the fault is and think it couldbe something in the motherboard.

I have insisted that they fix or replace it seeing it was working when I gave it them but they have no proof that it was and will only give me another similar laptop at cost. They quoted one with windows xp so older version than mine which is an e-systems entry level (as described by the shop not me) for £85. Either that or I just take the laptop back as is.

Basil1234

they have no idea what the fault is and think it could be something in the motherboard.

sounds to me they don't really know what their doing at all!
i would threating trading standards on them also say you will send it back to the manufacturer for report and then repair at their cost as they have created damage thru a poor repair and created damage.
as they said it was a short from the connector, the connector is an insulated item I say they have caused said damage perharps they where not wearing esd protecting whilst handling the motherboard. I used to work in hardrive warranty and sounds to me like they used mickey mouse to repair it!
try the ill send back to the manufacturer for the report and then repair if proved repair done badly at their cost then watch they a*seholes twitch.
If they refuse that say be taking it up with trading standards make sure you take the laptop away with you then and there also.
hope this helps

Taffybiker

I think your next step should be the Citizens Advice Bureau to find out what the legal position is now.