WTB: A3x series keyboard with Slovenian layout, FRU 02K5986

[ajkula66]

Yes I know this is above and beyond a long shot, but since Bill still allows us to post in the Marketplace for free, why not... ?

This particular keyboard type can be found on a retired/discarded/forgotten A30, A30p, A31 or A31p that was originally sold in Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro. Or someone may just have a spare for whatever reason - it happened to me on this forum before with a T4x keyboard - so I figured that there's no harm in asking around...

I'm interested in such a keyboard in *any* type of working condition.

PM or email me directly to tataslonATaol.com if you have one - or more - of these laying around. Thank you.

[jaspen-meyer]

You're a day late, just yesterday a guy came by and bought all of my A31 Slovenian keyboards and my flying pink elephant. (That was a joke. I didn't sell the elephant.)


Post a photo the keyboard. I'm guessing the keyboard layout is common to many other European languages and just the plastic keys are unique. Getting an A3x keyboard with a European layout is easy; getting the Slovenian keys is less easy.

Other than A3x, are there other models which use the same keys?

http://www.croatux.com/02k5934-02k5967- ... -1489.html
http://www.bolha.com/iskanje?q=a31+thinkpad

Where is the keyboard? Maybeit's on a Slovenian auction website, or in a box full of used keyboards in a repair shop in Ljubljana.

[ajkula66]

You're a day late, just yesterday a guy came by and bought all of my A31 Slovenian keyboards and my flying pink elephant. (That was a joke. I didn't sell the elephant.)

Thanks for the laugh. It was a good way for me to start this day.

I'm guessing the keyboard layout is common to many other European languages and just the plastic keys are unique. Getting an A3x keyboard with a European layout is easy; getting the Slovenian keys is less easy.

Correct. Pretty much any European layout has the same setup, UK English, German, Swiss...it's the particular keys that are needed. Some of them should be present in a couple of other Slavic languages from what I recall, but not all...

Other than A3x, are there other models which use the same keys?

None that I'm aware of. All A3x keyboards are NMB. I've tried transplanting keys from T30, T4x, T6x units from the same manufacturer, no luck.

http://www.croatux.com/02k5934-02k5967- ... -1489.html
http://www.bolha.com/iskanje?q=a31+thinkpad

Where is the keyboard? Maybeit's on a Slovenian auction website, or in a box full of used keyboards in a repair shop in Ljubljana.

Well, with close to 20 million people who'd recognize that keyboard layout as native over the several languages, there's got to be someone somewhere with a spare that they'd be willing to part with for a somewhat reasonable price...so I'll keep on looking.

[ajkula66]

Bump. Still looking.

[MikalE]

What I have done rather than replacing the keyboard is to purchase letter sets for the language I needed.

I have two T510's that I have clear, matt white letter stickers installed on for the German language.

I gave serious thought about buying and installing German keyboards for these machines, but then I would have to relearn the positions of many characters (but only a couple of letters). It would make fluid typing a challenge.

I just decided to purchase the sticker sets from e-Bay and change the keyboard layout as the need arises. It has worked out well and the decals are practically invisible.

There is a reason Lenovo and other manufacturers print the key letters in the upper left corner of the keys.

[ajkula66]

What I have done rather than replacing the keyboard is to purchase letter sets for the language I needed.

I have two T510's that I have clear, matt white letter stickers installed on for the German language.

I'm aware of this option but really not in the least inclined to take that route.

I gave serious thought about buying and installing German keyboards for these machines, but then I would have to relearn the positions of many characters (but only a couple of letters). It would make fluid typing a challenge.

Not a problem for me whatsoever. Not to mention the fact that both my T43pSF and R61FL sport keyboards with a Slovenian layout. Getting one for an A3x system seems to be a pain, though.

[jaspen-meyer]

Getting one for an A3x system seems to be a pain, though.

Have you tried calling computer repair shops in the region and checked the local auction sites?

Parts for old thinkpads are readily available in Czech and I'd expect they're available there are well.

[ajkula66]

Getting one for an A3x system seems to be a pain, though.

Have you tried calling computer repair shops in the region and checked the local auction sites?

Parts for old thinkpads are readily available in Czech and I'd expect they're available there are well.

I'm certain that they are...having said that, it would likely be a royal PITA to arrange such a transaction outside of this forum...