T41 keyboard raised...

[labrown]

I recently bought a T41 (2378-EPU) and am loving it except for one minor issue. The right side of keyboard "unit" does not lay flat and is raised slightly. Almost exactly the dept of one of the keycaps, actually. The keyword works file, but the keys on that side are noticably louder. Hitting the enter key results in the keyboard unit clicking down floor the keyboard unit rests in.

Is this a known problem? Should I contact IBM about this or is this something "normal" for some laptops?

Thanks,
--[Lance]

[cynic]

It sounds like the keyboard isn't sitting properly. THis is not normal and definitely not like IBM. You don't even have to send it out. Reseating the keyboard (even removing the keyboard) is customer allowed and really easy-- in fact you have to do that to get to 1 of the RAM slots. IBM has some "movies" on how to do this if you need some help.

So here's the general document instructions.
Here's the movie for removing the keyboard (I just love the vocal instructions--cracks me up each time)
Here's the movie to install the keyboard (yeah, I know it's just the reverse of the above, but they made both movies so I figure I should link both)

Good Luck

[labrown]

I saw those when I was researching this problem on the IBM site, and tried it out. I just went through them again and reseated the keyboard again. It is still slightly raised on the right side. I checked the keyboard when it was detached and it does not appear to be bent or flexed. Maybe it's time to call IBM.

[geobel]

There are dozens of users with this problem. The solution is to put something under right side of keyboard: business card, foam, cardboard, napkin...etc..
Gosha

[cynic]

There are dozens of users with this problem. The solution is to put something under right side of keyboard: business card, foam, cardboard, napkin...etc..
Gosha

No, Lance is talking about something else. He says the right-side of the keyboard is raised. He's not talking about the arrow keys having a little less support underneath so the keyboard flexes/is louder when using them. Quite a big difference. There are a few typos/missing words in the OP, but I think I understand what he's talking about.

If reseating the keyboard didn't help and you don't see anything obstructing the keyboard from laying flat, then I'd contact IBM.

[labrown]

Actually, I think you are both correct. The right side of the keyboard rides higher in the keyboard opening than the left side *and* the arrows keys seem to lack support.

Looking at the keyboard edge on from the right side of the laptop, they keys are higher than the left side. If that is abnormal I will definitely contact IBM about it.

[cynic]

Yes, that's abnormal. The keyboard should lay absolutely flat. (If you look from the side, across the surface of the keyboard, you shouldn't see anything sticking up or obscuring your view to the otherside.) Look at any IBM promo shot from the side of the T (when they are showing how thin it is); that's exactly how it is.

As for the arrow keys, there is less support under there. Common workaround is as suggested above, just make sure you don't cover the hard drive vent hole when you place the material there (the hole is marked with an arrow on the hard drive saying "do not block")

[dt]

I ordered my T42 (2378FVU) on 5/25 with 15% discount, got it 3 days later on 5/28.

The right side of the keyboard also seems not to lay flat. After pressing down and releasing any keys on the right side, especially the arrow keys, a 1/2 second later, there is a clicking sound as the keyboard on the right side rises slightly.

So this is not a normal problem? Should I just send this in for RMA, or try reseating the keyboard myself?

Thanks.

[Conmee]

My now-RMA'd T42 (2373-CYU) with 15" screen had a great keyboard. In fact, the support was solid throughout the keyboard, no flexing and no uneveness... actually fit a little too tightly beneath the keyboard bezel IMHO, but I thought it was much improved over the T40/T41...

Daniel

[taphil]

I ordered my T42 (2378FVU) on 5/25 with 15% discount, got it 3 days later on 5/28.

The right side of the keyboard also seems not to lay flat. After pressing down and releasing any keys on the right side, especially the arrow keys, a 1/2 second later, there is a clicking sound as the keyboard on the right side rises slightly.

So this is not a normal problem? Should I just send this in for RMA, or try reseating the keyboard myself?

Thanks.

Mine did the same thing. Try re-seating it. And while you have the keyboard out, put a piece of "napkin" or something similar (I used felt) under that area, and that should prevent the sound. Lots of people here have done the "napkin" trick.

[geobel]

just make sure you don't cover the hard drive vent hole when you place the material there (the hole is marked with an arrow on the hard drive saying "do not block")

Hard drive is under palmrest whereas material should be placed under keyboard... Do not see any possibility to block HDD vent...


Gosha

[lhsa]

i too have the problem with the raised right hand side of the keyboard. i removed the keyboard, did some slight bending of the aluminum keyboard tray and inserted a business card. the verdict? it sits a little lower, but is still higher than the other side. the direction buttons work a bit better, but i'm still disappointed. also, the fit and finish around the drive bay and the bottom of the screen is very poor. makes me wonder if IBM has lost its ability to make a top notch product.

i compared it to my roomate's R50 and his keyboard is tight and solid.

does anyone else think the 15" is better in this regard? especially the keyboard?

[Lmax]

My T41p has the same problem. The arrow key up to the backslash key are raised higher than the left side. I notice it when I think about it but I never hear or feel it when I am typing away. So since I don't notice it when I am working it just doesn't bother me.

Max

[JaimitoBond]

I don't notice any raised or warped keyboard on my T41p. When you type, you dont hear funny noises either. However, if you just press the arrow keys alone, say scrolling down a webpage, you can tell it flexes a bit, compared to other keys. It doesn't affect typing as much since you don't press down on a button in that area for a long time, unlike in scrolling.

I think the reason the right side is less stiff is that if you look at the screws holding the keyboard, there are 4 of them in the T4x 14" models. And all 4 of these screws are either in the center or the left side of the keyboard. This leaves the right side without any hardware mounting.

When I removed the keyboard, I noticed a narrow, gray looking piece of felt-like material about 2-3 inches long, glued on the metallic casing that holds the optical drive and HDD. It runs from the arrow key area up to the keys just above the enter key. I guess that was designed to keep the keyboard more secure on that side. I checked the HMM, and there isn't a part number for it. I decided to increase the thickness of that felt, and see if it improves the stiffness. I used a same sized double sides tape (thin ones), and after adding three pieces on top of it, the arrow keys don't flex anymore, and the feed back on the right side is now just as good as the left.

[lhsa]

is the keyboard still noticably raised on the right side?

[JaimitoBond]

is the keyboard still noticably raised on the right side?

Not on my t41p.

[Nabeel]

i just got my t42..its a little raised, but you can't notice it. the only thing is the arrow keys make a little bit more noise, but it's not really too bit of a deal

[koolcaz]

hmmm I seem to have the same problem with my T41. At first, I noticed that pressing keys on the right hand side resulted in loud clicking noises (and I could see the keyboard move up and down. That was fixed by sticking something underneath. But I have noticed now that the keys are slightly raised above the level of the case.

I'll see if it is a reseating problem. I noticed that the keyboard frame along the top is below the case edge but the keyboard frame at the bottom is level with the case edge.

Is it suposed to be under the case? Perhaps the keyboard has been pushed too far up.

[Trip]

You dragged up and old and handy post, koolcaz; thanks. I've got the exact same set of problems. It's good to know that this keyboard problem, at least, can be easily fixed.

[syhead]

here's how I improved my keyboard:
Instead of pushing it upwards, by placing a nakpin below it, I placed a tiny piece of plastic in the gap near the fingerprint reader, thereby forcing the keyboard down. Of course, you don't have to remove the keyboard to do that. You have to be patient when doing that. Don't use metal tool, you may scratch your laptop...

If you use the right size of plastic piece, it should be completely hidden. You won't see a thing!

[koolcaz]

good idea syhead. I actually at first tried jamming something near the arrow keys to push the keyboard down. But I found that what I jammed there inevitably always popped back up. Unfortunately I couldn't find anything the right size to fit along the sides.

So I went with the sticking-something-underneath way.

Which worked but I've only recently noticed that my LCD screen is separated from the case on the right-hand side by around 2mm (there is a gap) around the same area where the keyboard is raised. Still operational but disturbing.

The thing is, I can't remember when the gap appeared. And even if I remove the thing (thin cardboard) I stuck to hold the keyboard in place, the keys still poke above the case level. I tried reseating it but it seems the keyboard still "slopes up" from the 'pgup' key to the 'arrow' keys.

It would be great if someone with a flat keyboard could post a closeup of their keyboard in the case so I could compare (perhaps I am just being paranoid).

It's not a major problem but still.......perhpas I will contact IBM about it.

Pictures:
I don't know if you can see, but there is a gap between the LCD and the case. It's that black gap in the middle I've circled.


The left side. The keys are generally okay, below the case level, except for that "FN" key.


The right side. The keys closest to the screen aren't visible but you can see how the keyboard appears to slope up and the keys start poking above case level.

[syhead]

koolcaz, I used a small piece of tape, and rolled it into a even smaller piece.