Help! Calling all computer geeks

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

I have a Dell laptop.

Yesterday, all of the sudden, the letters B, N, the space bar, the up arrow and the / key are impossible to type. I took the key 'caps' off to see if there was any gunk (none to be found).

I didn't see any structural problems. The keyboard has not been in water, no liquids have come in contact with it, etc.

Again, it's just: B, N, /, up arrow and space bar. All other keys work fine.

If I press really really hard, I may get a space or a B, but the N and the others are hopeless.

Suggestions?

[no name no slogan]

1. Is it still under waranty?

If so, they should be able to replace the keyboard. They're pretty cheap, and completely disposable. They just snap the old one out and pop the new one in.

If your warranty is up, you can probably get it fixed for fairly cheap-- unless you're a DIY person, and you can get the part. Not too major a deal to fix, IMHO.

[MissMillie]

2. Do a virus scan

sometimes viruses can muck w/ your keyboard, believe it or not.

[flowomo]

3. this is apparently a common problem and a symptom...

of mobo failure. Look here:

http://www.summitlake.com/COMPUTERS_NET/Dell_Customer-F...

and here:

http://www.summitlake.com/COMPUTERS_NET/Dell_Users_Writ...

[lpbk2713]

4. There's a ribbon cable that attaches the keyboard to the mobo ......

sometimes it backs out and makes only a partial connection. See if you can get to the under side of your keyboard and check the connection without any trouble. If it looks like you can't don't try it. You might void your warranty.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

5. This is so frustrating.

aaargghhh!