Keyboard Issue

jlk · 10-18-2006, 10:57 AM

Have a Gateway 5300 laptop. Recently, some of the keys would not work without extreme pressure, this included the enter key. Soon, even pressure would not work. External keyboard works fine. Replaced the keyboard with used E-bay model. Same problem, different keys. Could the problem be the connection to the motherboard?

**Terrister** · 10-19-2006, 08:27 AM

I think it is more likely that you got another bad keyboard from Ebay.

**hwm54112** · 10-20-2006, 11:08 AM

Have to agree with terrister. each key is basically a seperate switch or contact point, though it may appear that a group of keys has failed and actually has). you can probably think of a group of keys as if it were a seperate touchpad with a group of contact points under it. The fact that additional physical pressure has to be applied indicates a mechanical issue, thereby eliminating a connector or electrical issue

jlk · 10-20-2006, 12:54 PM

I agree, my thought exactly until the "guaranteed to work" keyboard did not work. Also, another reason I leaned to connector. After changing the keyboard back to my old board so I could return it, my old board worked for a day. Next day, same problem. This time, I will insist on a fully tested board for my credit.

jlk · 10-25-2006, 06:28 AM

Sent the e-bay keyboard back and the seller checked it out and there were no problems. That leaves the motherboard I guess.

**Terrister** · 10-25-2006, 07:37 AM

Guess so. Does this seller also sell motherboards?

jlk · 10-25-2006, 07:46 AM

I am going to ask. Are they difficult to install? At this point, should I take it to a Gateway repair center?

**Fr4665** · 10-25-2006, 08:21 AM

instlaling a mobo in a laptop is a pita i wouldnt do it. take it back to gateway and see what they can do.

i have the exact same problem after 2 and a half years with my laptop that the shift key is really hard to press, ima take it apart and check it out maybe something stuck.

jlk · 10-31-2006, 08:58 AM

Well,
Just go e-mail from gateway that the repair will be $170 for my keyboard. I doubt thats going to happen. One more for the PC junkyard.

**laboye** · 11-06-2006, 08:13 PM

Jeez, that's a ripoff! Are you positive it's not the connector?

jlk · 11-07-2006, 07:32 AM

I think it’s the connector on the motherboard because when I change keyboards, it was ok for a day. The PC works fine for me but is not worth $170. I may try to clean the connector with alcohol.

10-18-2006, 10:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
jlk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Keyboard Issue Have a Gateway 5300 laptop. Recently, some of the keys would not work without extreme pressure, this included the enter key. Soon, even pressure would not work. External keyboard works fine. Replaced the keyboard with used E-bay model. Same problem, different keys. Could the problem be the connection to the motherboard?

10-19-2006, 08:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	I think it is more likely that you got another bad keyboard from Ebay. __________________

10-25-2006, 06:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
jlk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Keyboard Checked Out Ok Sent the e-bay keyboard back and the seller checked it out and there were no problems. That leaves the motherboard I guess.

10-25-2006, 07:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Guess so. Does this seller also sell motherboards? __________________

10-25-2006, 08:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Fr4665 aka mr.fraggs Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA or Germany Posts: 2,965 OS: Win XP,Vista,Android My System	instlaling a mobo in a laptop is a pita i wouldnt do it. take it back to gateway and see what they can do. i have the exact same problem after 2 and a half years with my laptop that the shift key is really hard to press, ima take it apart and check it out maybe something stuck. __________________ I don't subscribe to threads please PM me if i miss a reply. ------- Everest SensorView Pro DriverCleaner how to fix your game

10-20-2006, 11:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
hwm54112 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,233 OS: WINXP	Have to agree with terrister. each key is basically a seperate switch or contact point, though it may appear that a group of keys has failed and actually has). you can probably think of a group of keys as if it were a seperate touchpad with a group of contact points under it. The fact that additional physical pressure has to be applied indicates a mechanical issue, thereby eliminating a connector or electrical issue

10-20-2006, 12:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
jlk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	I agree, my thought exactly until the "guaranteed to work" keyboard did not work. Also, another reason I leaned to connector. After changing the keyboard back to my old board so I could return it, my old board worked for a day. Next day, same problem. This time, I will insist on a fully tested board for my credit.

10-25-2006, 07:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
jlk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	I am going to ask. Are they difficult to install? At this point, should I take it to a Gateway repair center?

10-31-2006, 08:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
jlk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Gateway Support Well, Just go e-mail from gateway that the repair will be $170 for my keyboard. I doubt thats going to happen. One more for the PC junkyard.

11-06-2006, 08:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	Jeez, that's a ripoff! Are you positive it's not the connector? __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler

11-07-2006, 07:32 AM	#11 (permalink)
jlk Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7 OS: xp	I think it’s the connector on the motherboard because when I change keyboards, it was ok for a day. The PC works fine for me but is not worth $170. I may try to clean the connector with alcohol.