can I fix keys on a laptop?

[CathyE]

Ever since I dropped my laptop - landed vertically and not to hard as I was trying to grap it a the way down :(

Aternating keys dont't work. Now it is the letter l. I have to go back to insert it all the time and push down hard & slow.

A little green circe fell out the 1st time I dropped it (no strength in hands) & I saved it in case.

So, can you usually pull a key off & have a look? Or do I have to take it in for service ? If so, how do I find out where to take it. I bought the one my son rented from college, so I don't have a dealer.

It is an IBM Think-Pad. Thant's all I know.

[mcfox]

I'm afraid this needs an expert to have a look at it. It may need a replacement keyboard and that's a job for a computer technician when it comes to a laptop.

[Matt A]

A laptop keyboard is different than a desktop keyboard.

A desktop keyboard consists of individual keys that can be popped off one at a time. Eack key pushes down onto a capacitance switch below it.

A laptop keyboard has a keyboard overlay instead. The keyboard is more like a plastic skeleton with the keys inserted into it. It is all one unit, overlaid over the c-switches below, screwed in from the inside.

Unless you know someone (or your son at college does) who can take it all apart and have a look for anything obvious inside, you'll have to take to a local computer shop to have it fixed and it ain't cheap to get one fixed. See if sonny-boy can do his mom a favor and have one of his ole college buddies fix it for you. Shame them into it if you have to. "I thought you kids knew your way around computers. Something as simple as a keyboard, but I guess I was wrong. I guess one little intermittent key is just too much for you to figure out.":rolleyes:

Intermittent keys are buggers to trace but not impossible. If THIS old man knows how to do it just from doing it a few times, the yunguns had oughtta know how. Use your experience and cunning against their youth and vigor. You'll get it done free every time.:D

My neice's kids kept spilling Kool-aid into her laptop keyboard. I had it apart so many times I could do it in my sleep. Then she bought another used one. Her oldest (8) threw it on the floor. Keyboard completely dead. Took 2 weeks to get that one back up. Didn't know just what I was doing but kept at it until I got it right. The only way to learn it is to just do it.

[CathyE]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I'll have to bite the bulet & pay :( to get it done.

My son has a long list of to do's & having ADD, he rarely gets even one of them done.
Of course except if HIS computer is having probems :D

Yes, I worked in a main frame environment & was used to popping the keys off. But even then it was tricky to get special keys hooked up right.

I did find some good artices on the net and it sure did sound tricky. I meant to come back here & say "never mind It's too much for me" but I forgot to.

But both your replies were helpful!
Thanks,
Cathy