Big problems with my laptop

4Fingus

Can you get into safe mode with the F8 key?

The BSOD will not be caused by a virus. HJT will not help you here. BSOD's are typically caused by hardware failure or driver corruption. When you re-installed windows did you get the updated drivers from the Manufacturers website? You may have a compatability problem.

Also, the issue with the keyboard may be regional settings. If you have a windows CD boot from it and go to the recovery console, test all your keys to confirm they work ok. The keyboard should work in any pre boot environment.

The BIOS version will appear during POST, check it's version number against the latest update from the Manufacturer - Who makes the laptop?

Fiver29

4Fingus wrote: »

Can you get into safe mode with the F8 key?

The BSOD will not be caused by a virus. HJT will not help you here. BSOD's are typically caused by hardware failure or driver corruption. When you re-installed windows did you get the updated drivers from the Manufacturers website? You may have a compatability problem.

Also, the issue with the keyboard may be regional settings. If you have a windows CD boot from it and go to the recovery console, test all your keys to confirm they work ok. The keyboard should work in any pre boot environment.

The BIOS version will appear during POST, check it's version number against the latest update from the Manufacturer - Who makes the laptop?

No I can get to the menu for safe mode with F8, but because the keyboard isn't working I can't choose the option.

Same for booting from the CD, I can get to the menu, but can't key down to choose the right option.

I will see if I can find the drivers and download them onto a pen drive, and try to update them from there. Although I'm sure I updated them at the time (but then my memory is not great, so maybe not).

It's a Toshiba laptop L450D, so I'll go and look for the BIOS version now

Anubis_2

Have you got a usb memory stick plugged in? Have you attempted to install Linux at all or did the Laptop come with Linux on?

A virus can cause aBSOD by the way, and, additionally, this is not necessarily a hardware issue - it is likely to be, but there is also a chance it might not be.

debitcardmayhem

If you can get into Windows 7 then you could use the onscreen keyboard osk.exe. It may help

Fiver29

Anubis wrote: »

Have you got a usb memory stick plugged in? Have you attempted to install Linux at all or did the Laptop come with Linux on?

A virus can cause aBSOD by the way, and, additionally, this is not necessarily a hardware issue - it is likely to be, but there is also a chance it might not be.

There are different types of Linux aren't there? Which is the easiest for someone who's never used it?

4Fingus

Sounds like you have a hardware failure. Can you get onto the BIOS and scroll through the menus with the arrow keys. If these keys do not work in the BIOS your in trouble.

As I mentioned before, in the indusrty we would use a 'known good' component to test it but you do not have that luxury. Cheapest option, get an external keyboard.



@ Anubis - Your the type of person that reminds me why I stopped offering technical advise. "It might not be hardware buts it's likley" - I might win the lottery on Tuesday. It's not likey but it MIGHT happen.

Fiver29

No the keys don't work in BIOS. If I got an external keyboard is there a way to disable the ordinary one so it doesn't cause any more problems?

4Fingus

If you plug an external keyboard in it will usually accept that as the default and no changes to your BIOS will be needed. Keyboards are very basic, they are kind of 'plug and play' but in the BIOS. Shame you are out of warranty. You can pick up a new keyboard for tha model for about £20. You said you have already re-seated the ribbon cable and that's all there is to changing it.

I cross my fingers for you that the fault is not at the motherboard end of the connection. I have changed about 50 faulty laptop keyboards and have never found this to be the case.

Anubis_2

[@ Anubis - Your the type of person that reminds me why I stopped offering technical advise. "It might not be hardware buts it's likley" - I might win the lottery on Tuesday. It's not likey but it MIGHT happen.

It was actually in response to your comment of That it is "DEFFO hardware based" it is NOT DEFO hardware based at all, but is very likely to be (but unlike you, I am not going to claim it definitely is because not enough processes of elimination have been carried out to determine if it is)

You also claimed that BSOD are not virus based /total poppycock! Of course they can be caused by viruses! IMHO as already stated, I feel this is either psu or memory based on the LITTLE information we have.

You remind me of someone who thinks they know what they are talking about. I am willing to bet you are akin to a pc world tecnician, especially advising to use windows 7 memory checker - if you truly knew what you were talking about then you would not recommend such unreliable software to test hardware failures LOL. It has to be the most amusing comment so far and definitely something pc world would do

You are talking to someone who used to build systems, supply, fix and network schools. Also your comment of changing each component to see which one it is, is poppycock too. That never ever needs to be done, you can
easily determine the part if you know what you are doing.

In answer to the OP yes there are various Linux based operating systems, if
you are interested in testing let me know. Infact I brought up Linux because one sure fire way of testing if it is a hardware based failure or not is to use a nix cd

Fiver29

Just an update.

I borrowed a USB keyboard which worked fine. It meant I was able to start the laptop up in safe mode. So I tried reinstalling windows and it went through without a hitch. So I then updated the BIOS and all the relevant drivers I could find. Only finished about 5 hours ago, but so far so good.

Except the laptop keyboard of course. I shall look at buying a new one, in the mean time I'll get a cheapy USB keyboard to use.

Thanks for the help everyone.