Keyboard not working

dodgyeyes

I have an advent 4211-c netbook and the keyboard is not working. Im not very techie so bear with me! the on screen keyboard is working but many of the keys are not. I have taken out the battery and reinstalled to no avail. the computer says keyboard is working fine - can anyone help? I have also reset computer to factory settigs with no luck.

Lil306

Is there a specific row of keys not working like QAZ or WSX ?

Which keys will work (any/none)? - Could you advise of any that do?
Was it working before hand ?
Did you activate any features before it stopped with the FN key ?

EDIT - I'm trying to find a manual so, I'll reply back if there is a function that disables keyboard input. I know my laptop can disable the keypad with a button you can push (the light goes out) not sure on keyboards.

Lil306

Manual says nothing about keyboard being disabled

It says you can disable the touchpad with FN+F3 but that's it.

Pulling battery should have same affect as shutting it down (by holding in power button) so I'd like to see what (if any) keys work.

2 things I'd also suggest....

1 - Right click my computer, select manage, expand device manager (any expanded entries)?
2 - Shutdown and restart computer, keep pressing F8 to get in safe mode, does it work then?

If it works on safe mode then you have a conflicting service / driver or software

dodgyeyes

hi
thanks for trying to help. keyboard used to work fine - keys working are as below;-

1234567890-=
qwryio]
asd
vbm.

expanded device manager-just shows list batteries,bluetooth etc
cannot get in safe mode - f8 not making any difference
sorry - hope i am following instructions properly
thx again for help

Lil306

I'm a bit of a loss with this one, it's not something silly like it's in Number Mode?

On the keys that don't work are there numbers, or anything in another colour?

You could try using FN+NumLock, this should switch it into the other mode, or it could be another FN+F key (you'll need to check your manual for this haven't got it at hand) it basically switches the functions of the keyboard to numbers mode.

Aside from that I'd suggest a damaged membrane, but that normally follows a pattern of letters like QAZ or RFV....

If anyone can offer suggestions I'd be greatful.

Lil306

You haven't tried to update the BIOS by the way have you, or any programs ran that asked to auto-updated?

Can you get into the BIOS?

On the computers at the University I worked at, there was a function in the BIOS about enabling / disabling boot up numlock or something to that affect, this was turning off the function keys because they were laptop keyboards we had.....

You could try that, when it loads up press the BIOS key (i.e F1, F2, Del) then search for something which says boot-up numlock and change it so it's disabled.

Might be worth trying that, see if it helps, given that you've got a weird mixture of keys, if they don't have numbers on them the only other thing I can think of is physical damage.

dodgyeyes

How do i get into BIOS?
tried f1 f2 del??
not on num lock

thx for your help anyway X

does anyone else have any ideas?

closed

remove keyboard carefully, and reseat the ribbon cable inside.

Have you had any spillages?

dodgyeyes

no spillages.
bit worried about removing keyboard - can i do much damage?
netbook only 15mths old - cld it be fixed under warranty even tho over 12 mths?

closed

take it back to the retailer, and ask them to repair it under the sale of goods act.

JUNIOR

This worked for my acer ,not sure if it will work for for you:o

Swith the laptop off , remove power cable & battery and keep your finger on the power button for at least 10 secs.
To drain the power .
Then replace battery or power cable and reboot .

give it a go , you never know !;)

J