ThinkPad 600 keys do not work...

[marcusb]

I have a ThinkPad 600 (great laptop) and recently the following keys do NOT work:

g h ' up button

Would replacing the keyboard (about AUS$95 inc. labour) rectify the issue or could it be something more insidious, ie motherboard, etc.?

PS. If you are wondering how I typed this, lots of cut & paste. Extremely annoying and tedious!

[cmarti]

If only a few keys are not working that means it is indeed the keyboard.

You can find it cheaper here

[marcusb]

Thanks cmarti,

I have seen the new keyboard only for about AUS$45 (USD$33). I thought AUS$95 (USD$70) for a new keyboard including labour was reasonable, except if the problem was something else.

Is it difficult to replace the keyboard? Are there any step-by-step instructions?

From what I have read, replacing the keyboard can be fiddly and a little complicated.

[dsigma6]

check the hardware maintenance manual-

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... 9n1033.pdf

[marcusb]

Thanks dsigma6,

I might try replacing the keyboard.

Looks like it could be a bit of fun. hehe Might be a different story this time tomorrow!

Appreciate any tips & hints.

[dsigma6]

ive never changed the 600 keyboard, but i did take out the r40 keyboard. if the assembly is similar, its very easy.

[cmarti]

The 600x is more difficult to replace than R' and T's ones.

But anyway with the manual, patience and a set of small screw drivers you should be covered enough.

[RRHODY]

FWIW, here are some tips.
Get the hardware maintenance manual from the IBM web site.
Take care in removing the black disks that cover the screws holding the
keyboard. They are the ones on the bottom with an arrow next to them. The
ones without an arrow need not be removed. Be careful, the little disks fly
away like tiddle (sp) winks.
Keep the disks on wax paper for replacement later.
Place the screws on a sheet of paper marking their relative positions
because they're of different lengths. There are screws at the edges where
the hard drive and the CD-ROM are so you have to remove those pieces to get
at the screws.
There is one screw on the top of the keyboard near the IBM logo. It is
under a black disk.
BE VERY CAREFUL when you lift up the keyboard. The keyboard ribbon
connector is fairly substantial, but the smaller ribbon cable for the
speakers is fragile (I've ruined two in the past) I've been more successful
if I can get the keyboard cable off first, then move the keyboard towards
the front to expose the speaker cable.
Even with all the screws removed, the keyboard resists coming up. It is
held at the edges with small tips that are inserted into the base. You have
to gently push the keyboard towards the center as you try to lift it up.
This all sounds more complicated than it is. Obviously, it is a lot easier
the second time.
Good luck.

[rkawakami]

<snip> Place the screws on a sheet of paper marking their relative positions because they're of different lengths.

Actually if your 600 is like my 600E and 600X systems, the arrows on the bottom of the laptop will tell you exactly which screws goes where. The smallest of the screws will have an arrow that looks like:

>

Those are the ones that go at edge of the laptop, in the openings for the optical drive and hard drive. The next-smallest screws go into the holes where the arrow looks like:

->

(Don't forget the one inside the battery compartment!)

The longer screws are of two different lengths (16mm and 19.5mm). There are matching arrows for these screws:

--->

---->

Pretty easy to figure out once you've taken apart a 600 system over a dozen times .

[tfflivemb2]

I would try testing this process BEFORE you buy the replacement keyboard, for two reasons.

1. The task might be more that you bargained for. I find it easy, but others are too nervous with the small amount of play in the keyboard cable. Testing this process will let you know whether or not you will be able to remove it and replace it yourself.

2. By removing and the reseating the keyboard, it might actually cure the problem. I have seen these cables work loose over time. Sometimes reseating them will solve it.

Good luck and welcome to the Thinkpad Community!!