another keyboard post

[syhead]

I guess I got the chinese keyboard.

The region at the arrow keys flexes a lot. Worse: the arrow keys make a terrible "click" noise, different from the other keys. Does that qualify for an **keyboard** exchange under warranty? I can live with it, but I'll put a new keyboard as soon as I can.

[syhead]

I'd like to add one more question:

Is the scroll button supposed to work in Firefox as the middle button of a mice? Mine does not work, meaning, it does not create/close new tabs.

[K. Eng]

I don't know if it qualifies for a keyboard exchange, but you can fix the flexing yourself. The keyboard is a Customer Replaceable Unit that you can remove without problems.

You will need a small Philips screwdriver and some packing foam about the thickness of a penny or other small coin.

1) Download the ThinkPad Maintenance Manual (there should be a link to it off the ThinkPads.com homepage).

2) Read the instructions on removing the keyboard. This is very easy to do and involves only 4 screws. When removing the keyboard, be careful not to be too rough with the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the system board.

3) Turn over the keyboard and look at the area under where the arrow keys are.

4) Cut a tiny square of foam to tape under the arrow keys. Make sure the piece of foam is not big enough to block any of the air holes in the keyboard or the keys near the blocked holes will not spring back properly. Tape the foam to the area underneath the keys, again making sure not to block any of the holes.

This should fix the flexing under the arrows, and you can use a similar procedure if any of the other keys on the right hand side of the keyboard are having flex problems.

I thought IBM would have eliminted the flex problem by now. One of my friends recently purchased a 2378-VUU and there's absolutely no flex anywhere on the keyboard.

[syhead]

Thanks K.Eng

I tried your suggestion and it worked. However, I was not happy with having something taped bellow the keyboard. THe heat could make the tape shrink and unglue. I know it's unlikely, but what if the floam starts moving around and reach the left side, where the processor is? Moreover, I was afraid that even the slightest rise in the keyboard might result in it touching the screen.

I found and alternative, and better way of fixing it. Instead of forcing the keyboard up I figured a way of forcing it down. All you have to to is:

1) cut a square 8 mm long x 1-2 mm wide. The thickness that worket for me was the thickness of a credit card. I used a prepaid phone card made of hard plastic.
2) Press the keyboard down by pressing the down arrow key.
3) Place the small plastic square in the small gap between the case and the keyboard frame. This gap is located right in front of the down arrow key.

If the square has the right dimensions, it should fit just perfectly and should not appear (unless you look very closely, backwards). Adjust the dimensions as needed. You have to find a material with the right thickness. Finally, you have to be very patient when placing the square..lit's tricky. I did it by placing its tip first and than slowly moving it sideways.

I hope that helps someone else! My keyboard is just perfect now!!!

[K. Eng]

That's an interesting alternative I never considered pushing the keyboard down instead of having something prop it up.

As for your question about the tape/foam method - I used packing tape (clear stuff from 3M used on cardboard boxes), and the heat from the HDD hasn't had any effect on it in the 20 months or so that I've had this machine. The friction between the keyboard, foam, and metal optical bay housing also helps keep the foam/tape in place.

So far I haven't had any problems with the arrow keys hitting the LCD.

[sugo]

I cut a very small right triangle from double side tape that's about 1.5mm thick. Sticked it under the corner under right arrow key. Worked well for me for 4 months.

[syhead]

K. Eng, I think that your way results in a more firm keyboard. I also think that it's very unlikely that you will have problem...

Hi sugo... so, what did you do after the 4 months? A new keyboard solved the problem? Could you tell us what part number for the good keyboard?

[sugo]

For 14.1" t4x, 08K5044 is the good keyboard. But the arrow key flex is more like a chassis issue.

oh I still have the double side tape firmly in place without any problem, it's just that my t42 is 4 months old lol