Other keyboards compatible with T410 keyboard

[sunshine]

I am really disappointed with the keyboard on my T410. I have had the computer for less than six months and I can't really say if the problem is getting worse with time, but I know that whenever I press keys 1 and 2 with pinky, there is an 80% chance that they won't register.

At the depot the keyboard passes all tests and they refused to replace it.

I also have a Z61m on which you just can't press any key in a way that it would not register. Maybe it's the oversized keycaps on the T410 keyboard that are the culprit, I don't know, but I would happily replace the keyboard on my T410 with Z61m's keyboard. Only the layout is different and it's just not going to work.

Does anyone know what other ThinkPad models may have a keyboard that would be compatible with the T410?

[richk]

I believe T410 and T510 use the same keyboard, but that is all. IBM tried to use the same parts on many machines. Also, the same motherboards and batteries would work on more than one size machine. Lenovo's philosophy seems to be "why design 1 when you can design 10".

[nikki605]

Aren't the keyboard FRUs different from different manufacturers (Chicony, Alps, NMB), also?

U.S. English: 45N2071 45N2141 45N2211

See this topic: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=88915

I have FRU: 45N2071 in my T410 which, if the above topic is correct, is a Chicony.

[Colonel O'Neill]

If I'm not mistaken, the T420/T520/W520 and maybe the X220 keyboards are usable.

[ThinkRob]

I believe T410 and T510 use the same keyboard, but that is all. IBM tried to use the same parts on many machines. Also, the same motherboards and batteries would work on more than one size machine. Lenovo's philosophy seems to be "why design 1 when you can design 10".

Cynic.

The T410 shares a keyboard FRU with the T400s, T410s, T510, W510, T420, T420s, T520, W520, and the X220.

I don't think Lenovo's *that* much worse than IBM was in terms of having "one off" parts. They both have their fair share. If anything Lenovo's actually done more to unify the various product lines: I think the X220 is the first subnotebook to share a keyboard FRU with a T series.

Come to think of it there have only ever been two different non-subnotebook keyboard FRUs in Lenovo's tenure: the *60 design (which lasted for nearly five years through the T400/T500) and the T400s design (i.e. the current one.)

[sunshine]

Let me make sure that I am understanding this correctly. I can get a keyboard from T400s, T410s, T510, W510, T420, T420s, T520, W520, or X220 and it will fit, but since it has the same FRU it is actually the same keyboard and might have the same issues as my current keyboard?

[dr_st]

Please clarify - the problem is only with the keys 1 and 2? And only when you press them lightly / on the corner? I just tried with my T410 and couldn't reproduce the problem.

[sunshine]

Since you asked if the problem is limited to only those two keys I decided to check out other keys. It looks like most of them won't register at all when I press them on the corner or press them lightly. Perhaps, I was under the impression that only keys 1 & 2 have problems because I press them with weak pinky.

Is there a way to attach files to posts on this board? I recorded a 13 MB video illustrating the problem for Lenovo support, but they did not want it.

dr_st, what happens when you press keys on your laptop on the corner? Do they always register? Can you press any key so lightly so that it feels like it registers but it does not?

[nikki605]

dr_st, what happens when you press keys on your laptop on the corner? Do they always register? Can you press any key so lightly so that it feels like it registers but it does not?

Yes. I can duplicate what you described on my T410 keyboard. I can press any key to the point that I feel like I've passed the high point of the spring tension, but the character does not register. I have to press any key until it bottoms out.

Solution: press the keys harder?!?

[sunshine]

I'd better get started on pinky workouts then On a more serious note I do find it highly annoying, especially coming from a Z61m where it's impossible for a key not to register no matter where or how lightly you press it.

[nikki605]

I guess I'm heavy-handed enough that it's never been a big problem for me. Every once in a while, I will miss a character, but I know it's me.

I didn't want to see you wasting time getting the keyboard replaced only to find the same issue on the replacement.

Side note: I see you're in Pasco county, too (Hudson). I'm down in Odessa.

[JaneL]

Is there a way to attach files to posts on this board? I recorded a 13 MB video illustrating the problem for Lenovo support, but they did not want it.

No, there's not. You can host it elsewhere and post a link (just a link) to it, though, with a warning about the size. The limit to display a photo here is 50k. We don't want 13mb files either.

[sunshine]

Lenovo finally sent me a replacement keyboard because of flex. The new keyboard flexes the same and is not any better in terms of registering keypresses, but I'll post the details for reference:
My original keyboard was an NBM keyboard, according to the thread linked above, P/N 45N2176 FRU 45N2211. The replacement is a keyboard I cannot identify (P/N 45N2106 FRU 45N2141), but Lenovo website indicates that it's an English keyboard for ThinkPad X220, X220i.

Anyone have an Alps keyboard you could test?

nikki, small world

http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... D=PD013449

[nikki605]

Yup, small world.

Good luck with your "new" keyboard.