Odd Laptop prpblem

Datagg · Jan 20, 2005, 08:41 PM

Hello. A firiend let me have his laptop to try to fix, he thought he had some viruses in there. Upon getting it, I ran a scan, nothing came up, did a spyware scan and a trojan scan, came up empty. The problem he is having, is that he cant type in his password. Sounded odd to me at first also, yet when i got it, I saw why, each character on the keyboard when pressed is generating multiple characters. For instance, i press "C", i get "sdscd" on the screen. Dont matter which one you press, gibberish comes up.

Ok, at this point I figured the os was bad, reformated, reinstaled software from restore disk. Same thing, cant even re register windows, for I cant type in a single number for license.

Then I went into cmos, reset to factory defaults, same thing. I removed the memory, and put it in the alternate slot just in case something going on there.

So now im lost here. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix, or is this unit just fried?

Details: Its a IBM Thinkpad I - series laptop

Thank you for your time

Vikingod · Jan 20, 2005, 08:47 PM

SOunds to me like the internal keyboard is busted. Have you removed the keyboard and checked it out.

Datagg · Jan 20, 2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingod

SOunds to me like the internal keyboard is busted. Have you removed the keyboard and checked it out.

Thank you for your reply.

No not as of yet. I was wondering if there were any ideas before I did that....

I was going to take apart as a last resort..... If you all think thats what it is, then ill do that.

Any other ideas, before case gets cracked open...

Logla · Jan 20, 2005, 09:43 PM

it sounds to me as if the keyboard is either loose or on its way out. Do you have any way of connecting an external keyboard to the laptop. That will help determine if it is the keyboard or the laptop itself. Sometimes the ribon cable that connects the laptop to the keyboard deteriorates and then they fail.

You may get away with just removing and then re-inserting the keyboard cable.

Datagg · Jan 20, 2005, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logla

it sounds to me as if the keyboard is either loose or on its way out. Do you have any way of connecting an external keyboard to the laptop. That will help determine if it is the keyboard or the laptop itself. Sometimes the ribon cable that connects the laptop to the keyboard deteriorates and then they fail.

You may get away with just removing and then re-inserting the keyboard cable.

I will try the external idea... Ill get back to ya on that....

Thank you.....

Datagg · Jan 20, 2005, 11:47 PM

Ok update. An external keyboard did in fact work just fine (thanks for tip) So new we know its the keyboard. I now have the keyboard on the aptop removed, cables look good, yet who knows. As far as replacing the cable itself, well thats a problem I can see , the main ribbon in the keyboard itself is integrated to it, it does not unatatch, only palce to take off is on the board itself, so i can see another keyboard need to be bought.

So thats that. I wonder when I call to tell him, hes going to want to replace it? Its an older unit, so whether its worth it or not is anotehr story. In the meantime, he can buy a small external keyboard i suppose, yet then, it really takes away from being a laptop then.

Thank you all so much for all your point and suggestions.

How much Does a replacemnt keyboard cost anyways, ball park??

Bless

swimtech · Jan 21, 2005, 06:08 PM

Thinkpad I-Series keyboards can run as low as 25.00 or as high as 100.00. Since you've got it loose, look at the backside (bottom) of the keyboard and post the FRU number (not the P/N number) and I'll look it up for you!

Datagg · Jan 22, 2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swimtech

Thinkpad I-Series keyboards can run as low as 25.00 or as high as 100.00. Since you've got it loose, look at the backside (bottom) of the keyboard and post the FRU number (not the P/N number) and I'll look it up for you!

Thanks bro.... I new he didnt want it fixed, so I slapped it back in. When I told him about it, he said he may want me to fix it...so, i shoudla jitted down that number..next time ill get it..

thanks all for your help..

Jan 20, 2005, 08:41 PM	#1
Datagg Back To ATI Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mesa,AZ Posts: 287 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Odd Laptop problem Hello. A firiend let me have his laptop to try to fix, he thought he had some viruses in there. Upon getting it, I ran a scan, nothing came up, did a spyware scan and a trojan scan, came up empty. The problem he is having, is that he cant type in his password. Sounded odd to me at first also, yet when i got it, I saw why, each character on the keyboard when pressed is generating multiple characters. For instance, i press "C", i get "sdscd" on the screen. Dont matter which one you press, gibberish comes up. Ok, at this point I figured the os was bad, reformated, reinstaled software from restore disk. Same thing, cant even re register windows, for I cant type in a single number for license. Then I went into cmos, reset to factory defaults, same thing. I removed the memory, and put it in the alternate slot just in case something going on there. So now im lost here. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix, or is this unit just fried? Details: Its a IBM Thinkpad I - series laptop Thank you for your time __________________ --- i7-920 @3.8 CORSAIR XMS3 6GB(3 x 2GB) 2 4870 X2's CrossFireX VelociRaptor Asus P6T Deluxe Thermaltake toughpower 1200 Vista 64 Ultimate Last edited by Datagg; Jan 21, 2005 at 01:01 AM.

Jan 20, 2005, 11:47 PM	Thread Starter #6
Datagg Back To ATI Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mesa,AZ Posts: 287 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Ok update. An external keyboard did in fact work just fine (thanks for tip) So new we know its the keyboard. I now have the keyboard on the aptop removed, cables look good, yet who knows. As far as replacing the cable itself, well thats a problem I can see , the main ribbon in the keyboard itself is integrated to it, it does not unatatch, only palce to take off is on the board itself, so i can see another keyboard need to be bought. So thats that. I wonder when I call to tell him, hes going to want to replace it? Its an older unit, so whether its worth it or not is anotehr story. In the meantime, he can buy a small external keyboard i suppose, yet then, it really takes away from being a laptop then. Thank you all so much for all your point and suggestions. How much Does a replacemnt keyboard cost anyways, ball park?? Bless __________________ --- i7-920 @3.8 CORSAIR XMS3 6GB(3 x 2GB) 2 4870 X2's CrossFireX VelociRaptor Asus P6T Deluxe Thermaltake toughpower 1200 Vista 64 Ultimate

Jan 21, 2005, 06:08 PM	#7
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	Thinkpad I-Series keyboards can run as low as 25.00 or as high as 100.00. Since you've got it loose, look at the backside (bottom) of the keyboard and post the FRU number (not the P/N number) and I'll look it up for you! __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Jan 20, 2005, 08:47 PM	#2
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	SOunds to me like the internal keyboard is busted. Have you removed the keyboard and checked it out.

Jan 20, 2005, 09:43 PM	#4
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 0	it sounds to me as if the keyboard is either loose or on its way out. Do you have any way of connecting an external keyboard to the laptop. That will help determine if it is the keyboard or the laptop itself. Sometimes the ribon cable that connects the laptop to the keyboard deteriorates and then they fail. You may get away with just removing and then re-inserting the keyboard cable.