How to disable a keyboard on a laptop

rustit · 03-04-2007, 04:40 AM

I have a compaq presario 2500 laptop with a damaged keyboard and i want to disable it and install an external one. How can i disable the keyboard of the laptop? Thanks in advance.

**speedster123** · 03-04-2007, 07:23 AM

They arent hard to replace, but it might default to the external automatically. Otherwise, check your bios menus for an option, or the device manager might let you disable the board.

carnelian · 03-04-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustit

I have a compaq presario 2500 laptop with a damaged keyboard and i want to disable it and install an external one. How can i disable the keyboard of the laptop? Thanks in advance.

I'm no doubt being ignorant but I note you have XP so what is wrong with just plugging in an external keyboard and automatially using it. There is no installation needed for most keyboards. I know the laptop keyboard is still "live" but you won't be touching it. I am doing exactly that now for this message. Forgive me if I've missed something, I feel like the weather at the moment - a bit dull!

rustit · 03-04-2007, 09:19 AM

the keyboard has a pressed blocked key, and it should be disabled from the laptop. I´ll try that of the bios. thanks.

rustit · 03-07-2007, 08:32 AM

there is no option on the bios to disable the keyboard.

**Terrister** · 03-07-2007, 01:11 PM

Your only option will be unplugging the wire(s) under the keyboard. If you are going to open it up, might as well look into a replacement keyboard.

**Fox** · 03-07-2007, 01:48 PM

I agree- replacement laptop keyboards are not typically expensive, and if you use a disassembly guide, they can be painless to replace.

rustit · 03-10-2007, 12:06 PM

i will try to unplug the wires, thanks for your help.

**speedster123** · 03-10-2007, 03:32 PM

The ribbon cable for that is easy pulling out, and a real dog putting back.

pineza · 11-28-2008, 05:49 AM

I had this problem recently and I found the answer here:

http://www.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~motl/...-presario.html

The idea is simple and the ribbon cable comes out if you pull lightly up the white rectanglular clip. (Note it doesn't completely come off so don't break it! It just loosens the ribbon). To put it back in, just align and push the ribbon cable all the way in and press the clip down again.
What the guy describes in the above page really solves the problem and you might save yourself from buying a new keyboard - unless of course you got a broken key or something.

If the keyboard is broken then you can remove the ribbon cable and leave it as such. Then any external keyboard will be recognized and be used. Unless you remove the ribbon cable you can't disable the onboard keyboard.

Just my two cents thought....

03-04-2007, 04:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
rustit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 9 OS: XP	How to disable a keyboard on a laptop I have a compaq presario 2500 laptop with a damaged keyboard and i want to disable it and install an external one. How can i disable the keyboard of the laptop? Thanks in advance.

03-04-2007, 07:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,228 OS: xp pro SP3	They arent hard to replace, but it might default to the external automatically. Otherwise, check your bios menus for an option, or the device manager might let you disable the board. __________________

03-07-2007, 01:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Your only option will be unplugging the wire(s) under the keyboard. If you are going to open it up, might as well look into a replacement keyboard. __________________

03-07-2007, 01:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I agree- replacement laptop keyboards are not typically expensive, and if you use a disassembly guide, they can be painless to replace. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

03-10-2007, 03:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,228 OS: xp pro SP3	The ribbon cable for that is easy pulling out, and a real dog putting back. __________________

03-04-2007, 09:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
rustit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 9 OS: XP	the keyboard has a pressed blocked key, and it should be disabled from the laptop. I´ll try that of the bios. thanks.

03-07-2007, 08:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
rustit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 9 OS: XP	there is no option on the bios to disable the keyboard.

03-10-2007, 12:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
rustit Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 9 OS: XP	i will try to unplug the wires, thanks for your help.

11-28-2008, 05:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
pineza Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2 OS: xp sp2	Re: How to disable a keyboard on a laptop I had this problem recently and I found the answer here: http://www.karlin.mff.cuni.cz/~motl/...-presario.html The idea is simple and the ribbon cable comes out if you pull lightly up the white rectanglular clip. (Note it doesn't completely come off so don't break it! It just loosens the ribbon). To put it back in, just align and push the ribbon cable all the way in and press the clip down again. What the guy describes in the above page really solves the problem and you might save yourself from buying a new keyboard - unless of course you got a broken key or something. If the keyboard is broken then you can remove the ribbon cable and leave it as such. Then any external keyboard will be recognized and be used. Unless you remove the ribbon cable you can't disable the onboard keyboard. Just my two cents thought.... Last edited by pineza; 11-28-2008 at 05:52 AM.