Key stopped working

Message

Sand · #1 Post by **Sand** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:01 pm

The letter 't' does not type even though I tap it with the same force as other keys. I spend so much time just going back and adding all the t's to my messages. Does anyone know what causes this to happen? I don't know how to remove the keys to see if anything is under there and I don't want to break it. I really don't think it's food or anything like that. It has happened in he past with the 's' key also which is very close to the 't' key so I'm wondering if there is a wire or something in there hat connects hem that could be the trouble. The 's' key works fine now.

Also, may I ask, when I use Search to find a question such as this and I get thousands of hits, is there a way to find the answer posted wihout reading through all thousands of them?

thanks for any help,
Sand

#2 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:09 pm

For most people there is no way to repair your keyboard. You don't mention which model Thinkpad you have or if it is in warranty.
If you have warranty just call IBM and tell them, they will send you another one.
If your warranty is expired you can usually find one here or on ebay pretty cheap. They are easy to change.

Sand · #3 Post by **Sand** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:25 pm

Sorry, my Thinkpad model number is 2379DXU and I don't know how long the warranty is for but without looking for the receipt, I have had it for about two years or more.
I'm pretty computer illiterate so I don't think I will ever be able to change the key board myself.
It's been awhile, but I'm hoping that whataever it is will resolve itself like the 's' key did. I was just needing to know if this is something serious that will continue to pass from key to key, or if it's just something sticking if I could spray some silicone in there. I haven't yet.

But if I do need to get a new keyboard, what would be the usual cost for one? I think the one I have now is thai, with the blue under the keys.

Thanks for your quick reply,
Sand

pianowizard · #4 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 2:30 pm

Sand wrote:Sorry, my Thinkpad model number is 2379DXU and I don't know how long the warranty is for

To check whether you still have warranty, go to this site and enter your T42's serial number found on the bottom of the laptop. Many Thinkpads come with 3 years of warranty.

Sand · #5 Post by **Sand** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 3:10 pm

pianowizard, I went to Access IBM for my Serial number and it had my Warranty Info on there as well, and I found that I am still under warranty until 2008-3-04, so glad to learn that. I also went to the site you mentioned and it repeated the same information.

So how do I go about ordering a new keyboard, and is it free under warranty or just discounted? Do they give you the same quality as you already had?

Thanks,
Sand

#6 Post by **gator** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 4:40 pm

Call IBM support at 1-800-426-7378. I don't know what kind of warranty you have, but if it is Next day Onsite support, you can arrange to get a technician to come your home and replace the keyboard for you. Otherwise, they'll send you a box and you have to ship your laptop.

I suggest you di it yoruself - it is very, very simple. Remove 4 screws, pop out palmrest, remove screw for keyboard, pop-out keyboard and repeate in reverse with new keyboard (don't forget to connect the keyboard connector!)

pianowizard · #7 Post by **pianowizard** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 5:12 pm

gator wrote:I suggest you di it yoruself - it is very, very simple.

I agree. There are instructions in the Hardware Maintenance Manuals.

marlinspike · #8 Post by **marlinspike** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:16 pm

Find out what kind of warranty you have here
(click detect and continue)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... yle=lenovo

It's very easy to do yourself btw and it ships with instructions. If you know how to operate an eyeglasses' screwdriver you can do this.

#9 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:36 pm

Call IBM, they will send you a keyboard for free. Replace it yourself, it is easy. Watch the video here: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 50227.html

Website · #10 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:18 am

I would try spraying out the keyboard with compressed air, before you send it in., or deal with getting a replacement keyboard. I have seen problems where the slightest thing can get into the keyboard and cause problems.

Sand · #11 Post by **Sand** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 12:55 pm

UPDATE

I went to all the sites everyone sent and read all the pertinent information about keyboards. Then I called the 800 number and spoke to a rep here in Atlanta. After going through some steps ie. enabling the Touchpad, etc and finding that it didn't make a difference, he said he is sending me a new keyboard tomorrow.

I am going to study the videos on replacing it myself and thanks to your encouragement I feel confident that I will be able to do it okay. He never mentioned anything about wanting this old one and I forgot to ask, but maybe there will be further instructions about returning it with the new one. Are these replacement boards new or reconditioned? Well, whatever, I'm sure it will work like new.

Thanks to everyone for all your help and support, as usual for this my favorite (and only 'cause I don't need another

computer group.

Sand