Very odd R40 power/keyboard problem

[zackbass]

My R40 has a very odd problem that I can't quite pin down. Most of the time when I try to start it with the power button absolutely nothing happens, no LEDs, no nothing. It doesn't matter how many times I try to start it, it just doesn't do anything but then sometimes it will magically start.

When it gets started it works fine for a little while but then the keyboard and both pointing devices go dead. My external mouse works fine though. There doesn't seem to be any kind of timing to this behavior, it can happen after five seconds or eight hours.

I thought that the problem could have been a bad keyboard or ribbon cable connection since the power button is also part of the keyboard but reseating the cable does nothing and that doesn't explain the trackpad also going dead since it's a separate device IIRC.

This all points to a system board problem by my judgement but I'm not sure how to go about detrmining that it is actually the source of the problem since the notebook is well out of warranty. Are there any tests I can do or a reputable place to send it to try to get this all fixed?

[AbsoluteRaleigh]

It sounds like a system board..

Could you post the full type # of the laptop? Eg: 2658-XXU

Is there anythig special you do to get it to power on?

[zackbass]

It's a 2896-Q4U. There isn't anything I can do to get it to power on, it works whenever it wants to without regard to temperature, battery or AC adapter, flexing the chassis, bumping the chassis, or time on or off. Any leads are very much appreciated. It just went out of warranty about six months ago.

[antonyip]

I have the exact same problem.
My problem is that there is a old joint between the system board and the harddrive rail. This has affected the grounding of the system board.

Try to take out the keyboard and clean up the cold joint with some electronic circuit cleaner. Then, make sure the keyboard screw are tightly winded up.