Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

The "o" key on my keyboard has been giving me grief. If I press at the top of the key then it does not respone, but if I press at the bottom then it is fine.

Are these keys servicable?

There doesn't seem to be anything under it and my keyboard is quite clean.

You might try removing the keyboard, popping off the key, and see if you can find some foreign material blocking contact. Some people say you shouldn't use compressed air, but I do it all the time and have never had problems.

If you system is under warranty, I suggest calling Lenovo and have them send you a new keyboard. They're easy to install. If it's not covered by warranty, you can pick up a new keyboard for around US $55.

Lift the lower edge of the key cao and it should pop off, clean under it, reseat it.

if that doesn't work and you are under warranty, call and ask for a new keyboard.

If your out of warranty or brave enough to do it yourself (trivial job) then you can grab yourself a new keyboard from eBay or from Lenovo (I got two from Lenovo US).

There are a set of screws in the base (have a small keyboard icon on the surface), unscrew these and the keyboard simply lifts off and you can replace the whole thing.

If your key is not working as mine wasn't it could be the surface contact on the rubber spring may have simply failed. You can lift the key cover off (unclips) and then expose the spring mechanism underneath.

Using a small flat head screw driver or knife you need to push one side of the base of the key and the whole thing will unclip and come off. The surface should have a circuit pattern underneath - this is the contact surface that triggers the key press.

You can buy replacement keys from eBay which include the black key cover and the whole spring mechanism which you simply slot into place and push the key cover into place.

Alternatively if you have a spare T61 keyboard like me then just get the donor parts from that.

I would test just the rubber spring (looks like a cap) with your finger and see if it makes contact with the membrane on the surface and you get the key press on screen - if not then the whole keyboard will need replacing (which is a 5 minute job).

Good luck.

Mine does this when some junk gets under the key. I can usually blow it out. Haven't ever tried removing a key...

Steve