stuck key error message on t61 15.4w

[Donal]

I'm getting a stuck key message on my t61 and am unable to resolve it. Anybody got ideas for a fix, or am I gonna have to spring for a replacement keyboard? Thanks for any and all feedback.
Don.

[rkawakami]

What is the exact error message at startup? In most cases the code will point to a specific key that is being detected as "stuck". It could be possible that there's something keeping the key from bouncing back up. Still, in the long run, you are probably looking at a replacement keyboard. A quick scan at eBay shows many below $20.

[Donal]

It says something like error code 210 stuck key number 24 or something like that. It was doing this awhile back, but subsided. I forget all I've done, trying to get a work around. The stuck key is the j key. It will not work. It's non responsive. But when a text box opens up, it usually fills it up, just like it was being held down. Did some reading on the forum, and one member, who had a similar problem, said he replaced the fingerboard, and it changed nothing. At this point, I just don't know which way to turn. Was hoping someone on the forum would have a fix for this problem. Still hoping.
Don.

[rkawakami]

Well, if you know that the J key is the problem (code 24 is indeed the J key on a T23; your text box automatically fills up with Js), and you can't get it unstuck by pressing repeatedly on the key, you could try popping the keycap off and looking at the rubber dome underneath. However, there's a potential of permanently breaking the pins off that keep the key on the frame. If that doesn't work then the "fix" is to replace the keyboard.

[Donal]

I've had the cap off and everything looked ok. Depressed the rubber dome repeatedly with no response. Guess I'll have to spring for another keyboard. Was concerned it might somehow be a software problem. Wonder what keyboards would interchange with this one?

Don.

[RealBlackStuff]

Only the ones from T20/T21/T22/T23 will fit/work.

[TTY]

Only the ones from T20/T21/T22/T23 will fit/work.

Presently, i'm not able to check whether keyboards from the T2x series will fit a T61, but even if they should fit, keyboards from the T61 series will also fit. The Hardware Maintenance Manual for the T61 lists valid part numbers, it's available on the Lenovo support site. The support site also has parts information for all ThinkPads, it might be worthwhile to check that parts information in case some parts numbers should have changed since the HMM was last published.

[FryPpy]

Only the ones from T20/T21/T22/T23 will fit/work.

If this is true - huge modding must be done to make this frankenpad. I have 13" T20 (from HMM 13" and 14" | 15" keyboards are different) and see this differences:
- T2x keyboard have 2 screw hloes but T6x - only 1
- T20 keyboard have fixed (mounted on bottom of keyboard) connector while T6x have connector on flexPCB
- T2x keyboard have different (huge) connector, T6x - small
- T2x keyboard have 2 rows of trackpoint buttons...


I have changed keyboards among T60, T61 and T500 without a problems. I think that T400 and from R6x, R500 and R400 can fit but not shure.

[rkawakami]

I think RBS may have been confused since I was the one who brought up a T23 in this conversation. The OP reported an error code on a T61 and since I don't have such a system to confirm it, I quoted the keyboard error code table I created for the T23.

[RealBlackStuff]

Currently I'm baking in the sun in SC (~90 F).
Coming from chilly PA, perhaps I'm suffering from a sun stroke?
Just joking, got indeed confused by Ray's remark, sorry 'bout that!

[Donal]

I've got other Thinkpads, and prolly would be a good idea to switch one of the keyboards in there to see if it takes care of the problem. Got a 14" T61, T400 and a T410. I'll see if one of the keyboards from them fit.

Thanks,
Donnie.

[Donal]

Changed out the keyboard and all seemed to work well. Looks like it's keyboard replacement time.

Don.