demagogue on 4/3/2013 at 12:41
The letter 'd' rarely works on my laptop keyboard, and 'o' is on its way out... Even when they work I have to hold them down for about 15 sec to register. This is just in the last 2 days. It's not a Windows issue (same issue in the Bios menu), and they gradually went out. So I'm thinking it must be hardware.
So I found a new keyboard for my model for $15, and instructions to take the old one out & put the new one in.... Seems simple enough. But has anyone done anything like this? Is it a good idea? (I read someone paying over $100 to have the service people do it, & warranty is out.) And anyone know any pitfalls to watch out for?
Edit: Oh, and should a new keyboard fix it? Is there a way to check that? I wouldn't want it to be some random wire under the keyboard that's actually the problem. I'm just paranoid about spending too much money trying to fix it maybe.
Al_B on 4/3/2013 at 13:34
If it's just a couple of random keys and not a whole group of them and they've slowly been going then yes - almost certainly just it wearing out and it's unlikely to be a single wire or PCB trace which I'd normally expect to affect multiple keys.
Without knowing the make / model of your laptop it's tricky to say just how tough it will be to change - but it's usually not too bad. Most that I've seen have a couple of retaining screws holding the keyboard from underneath (often marked on the underside of the laptop) and some underneath the plastic surround on the top. Sometimes the surround simply clips off but it may also be held in place by screws.
The keyboard connector is likely to be a FFC or similar connector which may need a little care as they contain a retaining clip which can be a little bit fragile. Depending on the style this will either need to be slid out or lifted up to release the cable at which point you just need to reverse the process with the new keyboard connector.
demagogue on 5/3/2013 at 03:52
Thanks. I'll be going back to the US in about 3 weeks, and I'll do it then. Annoying in the meantime, but easier to get things mailed & I have tools there.
Sorry I didn't mention the model. It's a HP dv6 3143us. I found (
http://laptoppartstore.over-blog.com/article-how-to-replace-hp-pavilion-dv6-keyboard-87707341.html) these instructions, and visually it looks the same (for the first 9 screws anyway). So apparently there are 12 screws involved, a few plastic tabs, and the ribbon. I'll see if I can find videos to get a feel for how the retaining clip comes off.
demagogue on 13/3/2013 at 04:28
I got the new keyboard bought & shipped to the u.s., but I only get back there on the 24th to work on it.
What's funny though, the letters "asd" are now out, and I fear "w" may be next. It's just so clearly "wasd" ... so I have a good idea what's behind everything. ;)
demagogue on 26/3/2013 at 05:05
Btvrand cexw kceymub.oatvrd ],is ymu.otvrce tvr.okcen tvrhan tvrhce .old .once.o :(#33333333333333333333
Translation: Brand new keyboard is more broken than the old one. :(
Edit: So... I'm wondering what to do.
It seems, while the advertisement said the new keyboard is compatible with my laptop version (HP Pavilion dv6 3143us), it's an LX6, while my old one is an LX8. I'm wondering if that's the source of the crazy output & the advertisement was wrong, or if it's just a broken keyboard (that would have been compatible). You can see how it's outputting garbage along certain lines (vr or tvr, .o, ymu, ce, ], and 333 or #33 is constantly outputting.)
It's pretty consistent. Is that more customary to an incompatible keyboard or a broken one, do you think? Is there a way I can be sure? I wouldn't want to buy a new one (again) or even the LX8 version*, and just have the same problem again.
* Or sub-version? There are different numbers (like AELX8U00210, AELX6U00010, AELX6U00210, etc). Worth noting that LX6s & LX8s are sold together as both compatible to my laptop in other advertisements I've seen, too.
Edit2. I wrote the outlet I bought it from & they're sending a new one. I hope it works & the problem isn't that it's the wrong model, but I guess we'll find out.
demagogue on 31/3/2013 at 20:52
The 2nd keyboard finally arrived and FINALLY it's in working order. Thank goodness. It's hard to over-state how much of a nightmare it was to deal with a bad keyboard, and buying a new one only to find it broken as well.
demagogue on 28/7/2014 at 05:31
Hardly a year later and this keyboard went out too. :(
But this time it was an entire line -- every key right of '7ujm' -- and they went out suddenly. So might be more than replacing the keyboard this time? How do i check if it's the keyboard vs something on the motherboard or other issue again? Blugh have to figure out how to get stuff shipped here too.
Edit: external USB keyboard works at least.
Al_B on 28/7/2014 at 11:58
Definitely sounds like a scanline problem but without a similar laptop to swap the keyboard with or a multimeter to diagnose it's pretty difficult to say whether it's a problem with the keyboard or the connector on the motherboard (or a dodgy motherboard PCB trace).
It's probably worth re-seating the keyboard cable in the connector just in case it wasn't inserted quite correctly the first time but it may be easiest to take it to a local IT place if there's one near you.
demagogue on 1/8/2014 at 04:02
A few reboots later, the keys suddenly work again: 8ik,.
So that's a relief, if still a bit disconcerting. I hope they stay working.
demagogue on 5/8/2014 at 05:17
They're out again. It seems some reboots have them working and other reboots don't, but I can't get them working for now anyway however many times I reboot.
Yangon doesn't have so many IT places around is the catch here... :erg:
