Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

[Boomyal]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

The latest is that I don't have any laptop keyboard function at all! One episode it worked (albeit goofy and the next episode it did not)<br /><br />Xcusme, I couldn't find a "keyboard driver" on that link, but I did find one that said "malfunctioning keyboard". I downloaded it, then ran it but nothing happened. The little box just went away with no evidence of anything happening.<br /><br />So now, I'm loading the software for a USB optical mouse so I can free up the only PS2 port to hook up the external keyboard again. Before I had to rely on the imbedded mouse (pain in the arse) when I tried to use the external keyboard. (didn't have a USB keyboard available) <br /><br />Once the new mouse works I will try the external keyboard again.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

Well I know you all can't go to bed tonight without an update on the laptop keyboard. <br /><br />IT STILL DOES NOT WORK, but after a whole evening I finally got the USB mouse to work and was able to plug the PS2 keyboard in without having to switch back and forth. Even trying to get the USB mouse to work was an event.<br /><br />I then deleted the keyboard driver and rebooted. Now the external keyboard works flawlessly but the imbedded keyboard remains mute.<br /><br />I still don't know what the story is but at least Mrs Boomyal is happily at her kitchen desk station, doing whatever Mrs Boomyal does at the computer.<br /><br />I still forsee a trip to the local computer guru. Either that or there is a Dell in Mrs Boomyal's future. I don't think it would be worthwhile to spend more than a nominal service call charge on this older Toshiba.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

Boom, win98 does not play all that well with USB stuff. Sticky keys is a feature that handicapped people can use to help them.<br /><br />I don't know exactly witch model you have, but usually you can remove a few screws from the bottom of the laptop and remove the keyboard. If you want to try it, make sure that the little ribbon cable is plugged in good.(be careful) While you have it out, look for a part number and try looking on ebay and see if you can find one for cheap, sometimes you can find them for around $15. <br /><br />No matter what laptop you buy, DON'T BUY A REALLY CHEAP ONE! They are just that..........CHEAP! The Dell's aren't bad laptops, I would suggest the extended warranty and the accidental warranty. I priced one the other day for my wife and it was around $1400 and had a $200 rebate.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

Originally posted by vipzach:<br /> Boom, win98 does not play all that well with USB stuff.

vipzach, that's why I upgraded, in one of my earlier odysseys, to 98se. Mrs. Boomyal wanted to use an MP3 player. Still, 2000 or XP would have seen it right away. I had to fiddle and boot numerous times but it finally worked.<br /><br />I'll look on the keyboard issue. I think this thing just died in stages. Im no longer thinkin it is a software/driver problem. It would be nice to fix it for cheap. It was $1600 new a few years back ('99?) but I can't see spending much on it. Toshiba 4070 CDS

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br /> Xcusme, I couldn't find a "keyboard driver" on that link, but I did find one that said "malfunctioning keyboard". I downloaded it, then ran it but nothing happened. The little box just went away with no evidence of anything happening.

Malfuntioning keyboard ???<br /><br />I think you'll find , if you check again on the link I posted, that the driver file is for a <br /><br /> Multi-function keyboard <br /><br />Never the less, sorry it didn't fly far 'ya

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

Yep, Xcusme, I just cleaned the lint off my glasses. You be right.<br /><br />I found a number of used keyboards w/correct part number, for as little as $12.00 shipped, on ebay. I've alread had mine out so it's no big deal to change it.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

My mom's laptop keyboard (Toshiba) was notorious for not working...either one half..the other..or completely. What I found was that the keyboard's flat data connection kept slipping. After awhile, the "retainer" loosened up and wouldn't hold it in place as well. About once a month I would have to remove keyboard..re-insert...re-snug retainer..replace keyboard for her until she bought herself a new Dell. <br /><br />Try cleaning the connectors with rubbing alcohol and make sure that it is a nice tight connections.<br /><br />-JMW

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Laptop? Wife's keyboard..(My life of continual odysseys)

Originally posted by JustMrWill:<br /> My mom's laptop keyboard (Toshiba) was notorious for not working...either one half..the other..or completely. What I found was that the keyboard's flat data connection kept slipping. After awhile, the "retainer" loosened up and wouldn't hold it in place as well. About once a month I would have to remove keyboard..re-insert...re-snug retainer..replace keyboard for her until she bought herself a new Dell. <br /><br />Try cleaning the connectors with rubbing alcohol and make sure that it is a nice tight connections.<br /><br />-JMW

Thanks JMW, I'll try that. I've had the keyboard out and the ribbon is held in by a 'slip block'??. You need to pry it up (about 1/16th" and the the ribbon is let loose. When you reinsert it, you press down on the "slip coller" to lock it in.<br /><br />Everything seemed to be connected well in that department. So, I have a 'used keyboard' coming from ebay. By virtue of the number of keyboards offered and being snapped up on ebay, I think that my problem is kinda widespread.<br /><br />I'll be sure to clean everything with alcohol b4 I install it.