Getting IBM to switch out the keyboards.

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Humpa · #91 Post by **Humpa** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:08 pm

SloMo wrote:Just wondering if you have to specify to IBM that you want the "Thai" keyboard when asking for a replacement or will they just automatically send you the "Thai" one? My 30 days is almost up and Im planning on giving them a call.

Don't tell them you want the "Thai" one. They usually don't know where the different parts are made.
Give them the FRU number of the keyboard you want as a replacement.
I believe the 14" T42's only have the Thai made keyboard now. The 15" still has both the Thai and China made one's.

The FRU's are on the first page of this thread - along with a link to the ibm page with the list of keyboards and the FRU's.
They will most likely check that the FRU number you gave them is a valid replacement for your model, as they should.

... also, the keyboard is under warranty - nothing to do with the 30 day RMA.

Matt · #92 Post by **Matt** » Tue Sep 14, 2004 10:19 pm

Ok, so my new Thai keyboard arrives today, and I get all excited about having the problem fixed. So I pop out the old keyboard for the first time, only to discover that it was made.....in Thailand! Oops. The new one doesn't fit any better so I resorted to the business card trick, put the new one back in the box for safekeeping, and am motoring on. A little disappointed, but the biz card trick works so I'll deal.

schk · #93 Post by **schk** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 4:27 pm

My 23785UU model arrived today, 14" T42, and it came with a China keyboard, the 2378DUU which I sent back to exchanged had a Thailand keyboard, so it does seem they still ship out newer models with the China keyboard still.

dmcgibbo · #94 Post by **dmcgibbo** » Fri Sep 24, 2004 11:20 pm

I got a new T42p and the right shift key creaks. It is very minor and I figured I'd wait til my keyboard was heavily used to have it replaced some time in the future if it got really annoying.

But in this thread I skimmed something about a business card trick and others mention having to call within 30 days - what are these? I have a 1 year warranty (and will be upgrading to 3 year) so can't I get a replacement keyboard any time or does it have to be within 30 days?

Humpa · #95 Post by **Humpa** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 2:30 am

dmcgibbo wrote:I got a new T42p and the right shift key creaks. It is very minor and I figured I'd wait til my keyboard was heavily used to have it replaced some time in the future if it got really annoying.

But in this thread I skimmed something about a business card trick and others mention having to call within 30 days - what are these? I have a 1 year warranty (and will be upgrading to 3 year) so can't I get a replacement keyboard any time or does it have to be within 30 days?

I believe there are 2 "business card tricks":
1. Some report flex on the right side of the 14" keyboards (near the arrow keys), and have put business cards underneath the keyboard in that spot.
2. Some have creaking above the pcmia slots, and have put business cards there somehow
I have not done either of these things - be careful where you stick things in your thinkpad!

If your shift key is squeeking (the key itself), I would call and have them send another. That is what the warranty is for. IBM will probably not have you send the old one back, either (though some people have had to).

You have 30 days to send the laptop back for a refund/replacement with no questions asked. That is all the 30 days is. Your keyboard is, of course, covered by your 1 (soon to be 3) year warranty.

Plinkerton · #96 Post by **Plinkerton** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:48 pm

Just ordered the Thai keyboard. Went very well. I gave him the FRU, he said they had it in stock, and now it's on the way, a long with my recovery disks.

I did mention that the ALT key was acting strange. Funny, now it seems to be all better...

DAMMIT! I JUST WANT THE BEST! IS THAT SO WRONG?!

Plinkerton · #97 Post by **Plinkerton** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 4:22 pm

Got the keyboard. Feels much nicer. Says Made in Thailand on the box, and the keyboard, and is the right model number.

darkhelmet03 · #98 Post by **darkhelmet03** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 12:28 pm

Got my Thai keyboard (14'') today as well. Just said to IBM support that the previous (Made in China) had some problems (which it indeed had) and they immediately sent it no questions asked. Kudos for this! FYI I did not specifically ask fo the Thai one or give any FRU#. I risked a bit

but it seems the chinese made for the 14" models has been phased out...

ZPrime · #99 Post by **ZPrime** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 10:09 am

I'm having my keyboard replaced because the middle mouse button on the trackpoint isn't working right. I asked the tech if he could send me a specific FRU and he said no - they will pick whatever is in stock.

I asked him what numbers he showed for my 15", and he did list off the "Thai" keyboard first.

Oddly enough, they've changed both numbers - they used to end in "0," and he read them both off with a "2" at the end. I hope the 2 doesn't mean refurbished or something stupid like that.

ZPrime · #100 Post by **ZPrime** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:18 am

Finally got my new keyboard. They shipped it 10/5 via UPS overnight, and it didn't arrive until 10/8! Guess it came straight from somewhere overseas...

it is the "made in Thailand", so I "got lucky."

My middle trackpoint button works now.

Even better, the keyboard feels nicer. It feels like my old A22p now. I'm not quite sure how the Alps/"made in China" KB is different from the NMB (Thailand) one, but I definately like the NMB much more.

This actually jives with my past *desktop* keyboard experience... NMB keyboards are awesome. Alps doesn't really make many keyboards - touchpads yes, but not keyboards. In any case, I'm happy! Now to see if I can get them to send me a replacement bezel for free (the touchpad buttons are squeeking against the plastic bezel... very annoying).

itsramesh · #101 Post by **itsramesh** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:07 pm

I had a china keyboard too ... just got my new thai one ... feels a LOT better!!

These were the problems i had with my old keyboard:
1) The area on and around the Touchpad was creaking horribly whenever i applied pressure on it.
2) Right end of the keyboard near the palmrest wasn't stable ... whenever i was using the arrow keys they used to rattle.

Its surprising that me and my friend had ordered T42s (2378fvu) together from buy.com and his came with a thai keyboard. He never had those creaking and etc problems.

One question .. did u guys ship your old keyboard back? i asked the CSR and he said that i will get instructions on how to ship it back. But never got any. I guess i get to kep this keyboard.

Leon · #102 Post by **Leon** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 10:45 pm

if they don't send for it (they usually don't), its yours!

DaveH · #103 Post by **DaveH** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:29 pm

I had a Thai keyboard shipped to me effortlessly and free of charge. Maybe I'm less sensitive or something, but I did not find it to be a big difference. My Chinese keyboard never creaked, though it flexed very slightly. The keys were louder by a tiny margin, but seem to spring back more quickly too.

Anyways, the main thing is the peace of mind having the "better" keyboard and a spare one to back it up (as I've had to buy TP keyboard replacements years later via eBay). Also the warm feeling of having customer service of such satisfaction level.

sharpc8690 · #104 Post by **sharpc8690** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:04 pm

Thank you all for the passion.

I've learned about something concerned keyboard that is crucial.

Vasant56 · #105 Post by **Vasant56** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:04 pm

Being canadian, do you guys know what I'd have to go through to get the new keyboard? I know someone here did it after a long process (but I can't find the thread).

What would I go about saying, because apparently canadian tech support doesn't have a thai keyboard listed.

wei313 · #106 Post by **wei313** » Wed Oct 13, 2004 10:11 am

thank you guys.
my keyboard is also made in china and has the creak problem. I called ibm and they will send a new one to me . Hope it's made in tai. Did everybody send back the old keyboard to ibm?

rhema83 · #107 Post by **rhema83** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 11:56 am

My keyboard is probably the China one. Feels so crappy compared to my friend's 15" T42. Just called up IBM and the tech was more than happy to send me a new one.

My palmrest creaks too, especially above the PCMCIA slots. Can somebody enlighten me on where there business cards should be slotted?

wei313 · #108 Post by **wei313** » Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:08 am

Got my tai keyboard last friday. Happy. It's great.

Getting IBM to switch out the keyboards.

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