Solved re: Internal keyboard died

[reble]

re: Internal keyboard died

This is a Dell Inspiron 15-3541 laptop, OS Windows 7 home 32bit. The laptop has been on for 30 minutes and working fine. I went to start a game and the internal keyboard stopped working for no reason. The wireless keyboard/mouse still works and the laptop still works but the internal keyboard is still dead. I rebooted, no good, I unplugged the charge cord from the laptop and dropped main battery and let the laptop sit unpowered for 5 minutes, no go. I let the laptop sit unpowered for 3 hours, no go. What gives?

Steve

 

[file3456]

It could have in fact died, I'm not sure. I'm kinda in the same boat with my laptop, but some keys just don't function like they're suppose to. I am going to buy a replacement keyboard on eBay and see if that works. I have tried going to device manager and uninstalling the driver then rebooting the computer. That didn't help, but might for you. If not, have you installed any hardware or software prior to the keyboard not working?

 

[reble]

re: Internal keyboard died

No hardware or software was installed prier to the keyboard stop working. I tried uninstalling the driver and rebooting, no go. I guss I will have to replace the keyboard also

It could have in fact died, I'm not sure. I'm kinda in the same boat with my laptop, but some keys just don't function like they're suppose to. I am going to buy a replacement keyboard on eBay and see if that works. I have tried going to device manager and uninstalling the driver then rebooting the computer. That didn't help, but might for you. If not, have you installed any hardware or software prior to the keyboard not working?

 

[Megahertz07]

Try to boot without the external keyboard.

 

[reble]

re: Internal keyboard died

I tried rebooting without the external keyboard plugged in, still no go. I tested the internal keyboard with a keyboard testing prog. If I bang hard enough on the internal keyboard's keys I can sometimes get a few of keys to light up on the tester prog

Try to boot without the external keyboard.

 

[Barman58]

Sounds like a mechanical issue with the Connecting Cables between the Keyboard Matrix and the Motherboard, these can be various types, Easiect to fix would be one where the connection is made using a plug and socket, This could simply need re-attaching but if the issue is with the actual keyboard then it may be possible to replace the keyboard completely (depending on the manufacturer still having stock). Of course a lot of laptops will have the keyboard connected to the Motherboard with soldered connections which could make the re-attaching /replacing the keyboard much more difficult, also the actual matrix may be broken so only some keys are not working, but this would also need a replacement

Keyboard matrix ...



Also this type of work can be expensive if you need to employ a technician to do the repairs, and even if you are capable of doing the work yourself obtaining proprietary parts can prove both difficult and expensive - and so the big question to be asked is Is the repair viable on an older device - A question only you can answer

If you can get by using a remote keyboard then the system should give more useful life

 

[reble]

re: Internal keyboard died

The internal keyboard is easy to replace. The ribbon cable is not soldered to the motherboard, it is a plugin type. I found that out when I opened the case about a month ago to see if the laptop need the dust blown out, no dust found. In order to open the case there is 2 screws under the keyboard. I will check the ribbon cable connection for the keyboard. It mite have come lose during the move. We are just finishing a move from an old apt to a new one.

Sounds like a mechanical issue with the Connecting Cables between the Keyboard Matrix and the Motherboard, these can be various types, Easiect to fix would be one where the connection is made using a plug and socket, This could simply need re-attaching but if the issue is with the actual keyboard then it may be possible to replace the keyboard completely (depending on the manufacturer still having stock). Of course a lot of laptops will have the keyboard connected to the Motherboard with soldered connections which could make the re-attaching /replacing the keyboard much more difficult, also the actual matrix may be broken so only some keys are not working, but this would also need a replacement

Keyboard matrix ...

View attachment 404414

Also this type of work can be expensive if you need to employ a technician to do the repairs, and even if you are capable of doing the work yourself obtaining proprietary parts can prove both difficult and expensive - and so the big question to be asked is Is the repair viable on an older device - A question only you can answer

If you can get by using a remote keyboard then the system should give more useful life

 

[Barman58]

That sounds good, and with it being a Dell there may be spares available, if it's more than a loose cable, I worked with dell for many years and always found them professional to deal with but of course not the cheapest, (unless you were dealing with high volume sales when they could be very flexible)

 

[reble]

It was the ribbon cable. It was jarred lose during the move. Now I just have later were the F10 key cap jumped to when I was popping the latch behind the F10 key. The key it self still work

 

[Barman58]

Great news