Thinkpads Forum

My niece dropped a book on the keyboard of my T42 and popped off one of the keys (the "C"). I found a nice thread here with great instructions on how to reinstall the key, but it appears that one of the plastic pieces underneath disappeared when the key went flying, so I don't have everything I need to do the replacement.

I was hoping somebody would have an old keyboard lying around they would be willing to donate. It doesn't have to be a working keyboard or in good shape, since I just want to get some of the support pieces for the key. My keyboard was replaced under warranty less than a year ago and I lucked out and got a good NMB one, so I'd rather not replace the entire keyboard if I can just fix this one key.

If anybody can provide the "guts" of a couple of keys or the entire keyboard I would be eternally grateful.

- recently, when replacing a keyboard on a T42, I managed to "break off" one of the Alt-keys (don't tell anybody!), and it was even such a nice and new Thai NMB-keyboard. Although I had all the parts (and none were damaged), I felt unsure of how to repairing it (= mounting the key again), but I recalled that I had seen an ad at eBay where a chap mentioned that he sell keys and also deliver detailed mounting instructions. OK, first (with no instructions) I tried for myself to mount the key again - but it is soo small and fragile, so I didn't dare continue without the proper instructions. So, I mailed the eBay seller --> here and kindly asked if he would sell the instructions only... and less than an hour later, this very helpful person mailed (free of charge!) the instructions - and said that if usable, I was welcome to pay (what I of course did immediately, in any case, and with an added "friendship-bonus"). After reading the instructions, I managed to fix my keyboard... and I was happy and proud of myself!

All this to say: I suggest you contact this very kind fellow and specify what kind of keyboard you have, and what key you need (he may be reached via mail: laptopkeys [at] yahoo [dot] ca). The price if absolutely fair; only $7.5 incl. S/H. And, hey, remember this: If you repair your keyboard by yourself, it will be much more personal afterwards!

Best regards,

Johan

Hi - First post on this great forum!

I once managed to break my left "shift" key of my T40 keyboard (also the thai one, so didn't abandon it).

I contacted the store where i bought my machine, and they sent me a new set of key plastics for the right shift, FREE of charge! So, you should be able to get one cheap!

Mounting the key is not that dificult! Especially not if you get a complet e new, as these are assembled and basically mounted with one sigle clik.

i have a t60 keyboard that i can sell it to you for $8 shipped. everything is fine with keyboard except that i somehow managed to break the connection jack. however, i dont think you need to would need to use the connection. let me know

Thanks for the offer lazyazn. I'd prefer to find a T4x keyboard or keys if I can, since I'm not sure of the total compatibility of the mechanism for the T6x keyboards. But if I can't find another option I might take you up on your offer. Is yours an NMB or a Chicony keyboard?


I'm still hoping somebody out there has an old keyboard for the T4X series.

I wonder if it has to be an NMB keyboard for the key mechanism to be the same, even within the T4x series.

Hopefully you don't end up searching on eBay...sleaze bags sell 1 key for like $6.

Is yours an NMB or a Chicony keyboard?

i have no idea. how do i check?