So, I was in the middle of a post...

[MojoXN]

And then my Laptop keyboard just quit worknig. Right in the middle of a sentence. Tech savvy DU'ers, what the hell could have caused that? It doesn't work at ALL, but this external keyboard works fine. What should I do? I called Dell, they were useless. HELP!!!

MojoXN

[don954]

1. you were typing then it suddenly quit?

you don’t have a key to swap between keyboards (internal and external keyboards), right? (most laptops dont, they auto-switch, all dells that I know of auto-switch)

loose connection most likely.

[MojoXN]

6. No swap-switch, it just quit working.

The machine wasn't jarred in any way, nothing unusual, aside from the sudden death of the keyboard.

MojoXN

[don954]

7. reboot, if it dosnt come back, call dell and tell them

your keyboard will not work, even in BIOS Setup (this quickly excludes windows software, a fav shove off by incompent tech support everywhere, bios setup is the "hit F1 for setup" screen when your computer first boots).

If you got the in-home warranty, a keyboard change can be done easily in-home, don’t let them try to make you send it into the service center where you will be out of a laptop for 2 weeks.

BTW, do a full power down, remove the battery and power adapter, then see if it comes back. If it dosnt, the keyboard is dead most likely.

FYI, im a Helpdesk tech & general computer contractor.

[lonestarnot]

8. He said he called Dell and they were worthless.

[don954]

15. ya, but dell still has to honor the warranty if its still under warranty.

[MojoXN]

9. I appreciate the advice!

One of the first things that I tried was entering the BIOS. Didn't work. I called Dell, and all they said is, "You need a new keyboard." Funny thing is, this is my second keyboard for this POS computer. I just put it in myself about 3 months ago. And now, POOF! Just like that, it stopped working.

Do you think it's done for?

MojoXN

[don954]

16. yep, cheap chinese hardware, not worth a dam anymore

keep getting it replaced untill they get a new maker. I had a dell D600 in the other day with the same problem...

[don954]

17. oh ya, FYI

for when your warranty expires:
http://www.laptopparts.com/laptop-keyboard/dell-keyboard.asp
its easy to swap, most of them only have 2-4 screws to pop the keyboard.

[lonestarnot]

2. Reboot.

[MojoXN]

4. I did, several times. No dice.

[lonestarnot]

5. Hmmm... throw it on the floor a couple of times.

[babylonsister]

3. If you're not aware of it, there's a

Computer Help forum is you can't find help in GD. Good luck!


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=242

[HysteryDiagnosis]

10. Oh.... you're not a termite..... nevermind. nt.

[MojoXN]

12. Huh?

I'm confused...

MojoXN

[HysteryDiagnosis]

13. A stab at some twisted humor.... "middle of a post".... previous post

has link to consumer affairs.... sorry for the confusion.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

14. "in the middle of a post"

Took me a minute to get it, too.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

11. Link for Dell complaints.... maybe some info for you, some

unhappy campers to be sure.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/dell_lap.html

[Slit Skirt]

18. I work on Laptops for a living

there is a connector that sits directly under the keyboard...either it has come lose... or something is broken and it really could be anything hardware...including the system board. Call Dell and tell them that your keyboard doesn't work.....period. They will send someone out

[MsUnderstood]

19. it is possible

that there is a function key that turns the keyboard on and off and you accidently hit it while typing.

look through the keyboard to see if you find anything like that and also call dell to see if that is a possibility.

[MojoXN]

20. OK, update everyone.

My keyboard appears to be working again, with the exception of the space bar. It works, but it has to be struck very close to the center, which is new. What the hell could be wrong with this thing?

MojoXN

[Slit Skirt]

21. again....let me explain

I work on Dell Laptops....that cable is dead center or center bottom....I am not saying that it is definitive because I can not troubleshoot it...but there is a good chance that the cable (and it is very delicate) is loose or malfunctioning.

again call Dell, you have a keyboard that is not working properly and they need to have someone look at it....i