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Dell--keyboard malfunction

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7 replies

by blakeinpoway1

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I have a Dell Inspiron 8100 running on Windows XP, and the keyboard has several keys that don't work but rather, they simply beep. The keys that I know of that don't work are: G H ' Z X C V M , .
The right shift, right ctrl, up arrow, and enter keys also don't work. However, if I plug in an external keyboard, all of those keys work. I have checked the laptop's keyboard ribbon and verified that it is still connected. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance :)

7 replies

by older mycroft

It sounds like the plastic membranes below the keyboard MAY have had liquid intrusion.

If there was a spill onto the keyboard, that may explain the problem.

Whatever the time factor involved the longer the situation exists - the less likely the chances of the situation improving.

A new keyboard would probably be the only solution?

by blakeinpoway1

I haven't spilled anything on it, but I bought the computer second-hand so I don't know if they did. I can't remember for sure if the keys were already dead when I got the computer or not.

by oh smeg

And see if the problem persists.

If it does try using an External Keyboard on the NB and see if the keys are still dead. If they are the Interface between the Keyboard and M'Board is shot and you need a new M'Board.

If you don't have any Live Linux'
s available to you, you can buy or download one from here

http://tinyurl.com/23nmq

While there are other places that you can visit to download or buy from this place has a good range of the different products that are available.

Col

by blakeinpoway1

I've never used these before. Should I just use one of the diagnostic ones?

by oh smeg

But it depends on how fast your Internet speed is as if it's slow you would want to use Puppy as it's small or if you have a fast and big enough plan you can use Knoppix which is a fully featured Live Linux that runs off the CD that you insert before allowing the system to Boot.

This will give you a working OS completely independent to Windows so there is no chance of any Software Problems creeping through.

Puppy is about 90 MEG while the Full Versions of Knoppix are just under 700 MEG and while either will do quite nicely if you are seriously looking at having a long term tool available Knoppix would be your better alternative as it can be used to access Windows Computers and fix faulty Windows Installs.

Col

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