Thinkpads Forum

Greetings to everyone!

I am planning to have my keyboard on my T61 serviced since the directional keys stopped working about 4 months ago. I don't have any idea why the directional keys just stopped working.

According to Lenovo's website, the keyboard FRU part # I have (42T3209) indicates that a Chicony keyboard is installed in my T61. Do you think is it possible for me to have it replaced with an NMB keyboard without having to pay for an extra charge?

By the way, I am living in Manila and have my T61 serviced also in Manila, Philippines.

Thanks a lot for your answers and comments!

When you call the machine in to Lenovo for service ask for the NMB part number and see what happens. I'd say there's a 50/50 shot they either order that part (if it's available) or just ship one of the others to you. The keyboard is a CRU by the way, which means it is shipped to your location and you install it.

Harryc wrote:When you call the machine in to Lenovo for service ask for the NMB part number and see what happens. I'd say there's a 50/50 shot they either order that part (if it's available) or just ship one of the others to you. The keyboard is a CRU by the way, which means it is shipped to your location and you install it.

Harryc,

I just called the Lenovo service center here in Manila and they told me that they had to see the unit first before they can do anything about it.

They also said that they will be the ones responsible for changing the whole keyboard for me (I don't think I have the guts to splice my Thinkpad right in front of me. Furthermore, I have clumsy hands. ))

But do you think they'll replace the Chicony keyboard with an NMB one free of charge? I don't know how the process about such really works...Can you offer me some advice on how to bring up changing the FRU of the keyboard that they'll be replacing, since I want the NMB part?

Thanks again!

They will replace the keyboard free of charge.

Whether you get Chicony, NMB or Alps, is just luck of the draw. They are not obliged to choose a specific one.

If you explain the situation and your preference to them, and happen to fall on a nice technician / service rep, they may try to get the specific NMB part number for you, as long as it doesn't inconvenience them too much.

dr_st wrote:They will replace the keyboard free of charge.

Whether you get Chicony, NMB or Alps, is just luck of the draw. They are not obliged to choose a specific one.

If you explain the situation and your preference to them, and happen to fall on a nice technician / service rep, they may try to get the specific NMB part number for you, as long as it doesn't inconvenience them too much.

Really? Oh yeah!

According to the posts here, NMB keyboards are the best as far as Thinkpad keyboards are concerned.

I really do hope that by the time I give them my unit for servicing there's still more than enough stocks of NMB keyboards so I can also get one.

Again, thanks for the prompt replies!

Heya fellows.

I just received my keypad last Friday after having it serviced. It took only a day to change the keyboard.

Bad thing is, they still used the same FRU part #. So it's the same keyboard (for correction purposes, I originally had an ALPS keyboard, not a Chicony. Sorry for misleading you guys).

However, the first thing I noticed with the keyboard is that it has a different color than the palmrest. It's...a tad too pale (but still black) compared to my older keyboard. Also, the keyboard has a matte feel. Is it just me or is it the same for everyone who had their keyboards changed?

And do you know if this keyboard is the same one being installed on the newer T400s?

Thanks a lot!

bautista.ekonomista wrote:However, the first thing I noticed with the keyboard is that it has a different color than the palmrest. It's...a tad too pale (but still black) compared to my older keyboard. Also, the keyboard has a matte feel. Is it just me or is it the same for everyone who had their keyboards changed?

I think it is just the difference between a used and somewhat worn keyboard and a new one.

Really?

If my memory serves me right, the just-installed keyboard in my T61 is way, way different compared to the original keyboard I had when I bought my T61. The matte texture is really notable; I can't recall the original keyboard having this too matte a texture.

I was thinking if the new keyboard is similar to what they use in the SLXXX series; it's still way too different (the SLXXX series keyboards, for me, are a complete junk; not only do they feel very plasticky but also the labels in the keyboard are somewhat low quality).

Do you think they changed something in the way they now make the Thinkpad keyboards?