Fixing Dead Arrow Key Via Reprogramming Or Repair *PIC*

[jimwg]

Happy New Year!

I have a heirloom Lenova R60e XP Pro which I don't wish to spent a lot for repair right now but will tinker in it under good directions.

After a few hours spreadsheet surfing requiring repeated pressing --not pounding -- of the arrow keys, the right arrow key, after a few fit and stops in its last hour or so, totally ceased working (the key is slightly "sunken" now). The startup BIOS screen doesn't offer a way to test the right arrow key though the others worked normally. I followed user advice to update the BIOS from the Lenovo site then later to remove the key cap and clean the hinge area and also press its inner plastic nipple to see if it worked. The arrow key works fine with other USB keyboards. I was given advice to use the program "SharpKeys" to reprogram the Web Page UP key into a right arrow key and it works (but I need a similar app for Linux Mint when I boot that second hard drive).

Just as mention, no intention of blame, but in the last days we used ToolWiz Care as a deep system tune-up in case that might have a bearing in this. I'm now using a second USB keyboard with the R60e to reduce further wear and tear on the machine, which otherwise is in very good shape. Is there any means to repair the arrow key or keyboard short of a major repair? I can replace the keyboard if necessary at the right price, but I wish not even to go that far.

I'll likely get a keyboard from eBay when I can spring for it after winter, but just for the heck of it, I'd like to know of anyone who would know how to tinker and fix such a key. After all it's just a simple contact switch under the hinge assembly, is that right? I don't mind taking a screwdriver and tweezers to unstick it or close contact gaps more if I knew how. The manuals don't offer a hint.

Thanks for the assist!

Jim in NYC

Admin note: Moved from T6x forum

[RealBlackStuff]

Here you go, replace just the one key: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Lenovo-T60- ... 5d264e50b8

[jimwg]

Here you go, replace just the one key: http://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-Lenovo-T60- ... 5d264e50b8

Thanks for the info, but I don't need a new key cap as yet. I just would like to see whether I can tinker that malfunctioning arrow key switch assembly back to health just for the quest of it. I'm surprised that people tinker every which way with their laptop's guts but you can't Google anything about anyone doing surgery on a lowly set of keyboard contact switches, at least for Thinkpads!

Jim in NYC

[RealBlackStuff]

You would not only get the dome, the mechanism and the keycap, but also instructions.
Just seeing the pictures on that eBay link is enough info already for a lot of people...
If you need more, search Google with e.g. "how to replace a key in a laptop" 17,000,000 results

[jimwg]

You would not only get the dome, the mechanism and the keycap, but also instructions.
Just seeing the pictures on that eBay link is enough info already for a lot of people...
If you need more, search Google with e.g. "how to replace a key in a laptop" 17,000,000 results

I need to fix the key's actual malfunctioning contact switch itself, not the key cap assembly atop it.

Jim in NYC

[rkawakami]

The "contact switch" is actually the rubber/silicone dome and the printed circuit traces beneath it. There's no metal-on-metal switch contact you might be expecting. Rather, the entire dome, or a pad under it, is electrically conductive and when it is pressed against the traces on the board, that provides the signal to the keyboard controller to register a character. While this may not be exactly the same design as your keyboard, here's an example:



The things that can prevent a keystroke from registering are:

- there's some contamination between the dome and the printed circuit traces; trace could have oxidized or some foreign matter is present
- there's some hardware problem, like a broken trace or defective keyboard controller; smaller chance as this would probably affect more than one key
- there's a misalignment of the dome; it could have separated from the board and turned/rotated such that electrical contact with the board is no longer possible
- the dome is missing; even smaller chance as about the only way this could happen is somebody taking apart the keycap and forgetting/losing the dome; key would not work from that point forward and it would be pretty clear that this is the case since the keycap would always remain down (the rubber dome is what makes the key spring back up)

For the first issue, if the dome is still attached to the board, you'll have to gently remove it by prying it up/off. Once exposed, clean all of the traces on the board under the key using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Do NOT use the alcohol on the dome. Clean off any dirt/liquid/oil from the dome using a dry cotton swab, or if you must use some cleaning liquid, use only a small amount of water. Allow to thoroughly dry before mounting the dome back on the keyboard. I'm not sure what kind or adhesive was used originally so you might have to play around with this.

Second problem is solved by swapping hardware; another keyboard or motherboard.

Third issue is fixed by taking the keycap off and re-assembling the key mechanism.

For the fourth problem, it should be obvious to replace the dome with an identical one.

[jimwg]

VERY MUCH appreciate this info! It's further proof that often the best support is fan support! I'll keep you abreast on my progress when I get to work on it!

Thanks a trillion!

Jim in NYC


MOD edit: removed the superfluous quote

[jimwg]

Just a thought. Around a week before my arrow key issue I updated the R60e's BIOS off the Lenovo download. Could a faulty BIOS upgrade glitch be responsible for my problem?

Thanks!

Jim in NYC

[ajkula66]

Just a thought. Around a week before my arrow key issue I updated the R60e's BIOS off the Lenovo download. Could a faulty BIOS upgrade glitch be responsible for my problem?

Extremely unlikely.