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Wonky Keyboard Satellite 4080

post #1 of 13
10/9/06 at 5:17pm
Thread Starter 
I have a Toshiba Sateliite 4080xcdt that has developed a keyboard problem: some keys mistype. For instance the backspace key gives a ], the W key gives 1aw, etc. Some keys work fine, others don't. An external keyboard types with no problems, so I can only assume the keyboard is bad (although other posts show the solution was replacing the motherboard for a different keyboard problem). I airblasted a couple of the problem key, but no improvement. It was out on loan, but I don't see any evidence of spills, etc. Any suggestions on what to try?

Thanks,
Jerry
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post #2 of 13
10/13/06 at 10:54am
Swap the keys between them! ... naahhh... just kiddin.

Try swapping out the keyboard and clean the contacts at the end of the cable with some cleaning fluid. Since there is no chip in the keyboard like in normal desktop keyboards it might be the problem on the motherboard, and you might need to change it. Strange error anyway. I had a 4030 and it still works fine. The only problem with keyboar was that it was bending in the corners.
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post #3 of 13
10/13/06 at 12:58pm
One thing to try is to look at the keyboard settings in the control panel. You could slow down the repeat delay a little
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post #4 of 13
10/13/06 at 3:46pm
Thread Starter 

Wonky Keyboard Satellite 4080

Thanks for the ideas. I'll try cleaning the cable and will try the control panel, too. I just had a thought: it may be a lnaguage setting (set by mistake) so I'll look at that, too. If all else fails, I'm thinking of giving the keyboard a bath it hot water and then a thorough drying out. What do youink of that idea? All it can do is ruing a bad keyboard!

Thanks,
Jerry
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post #5 of 13
10/13/06 at 5:50pm
I would blow it out with compressed air, rather than water. Then I would try an aerosol container of electronic parts cleaner. (the stuff that evaporates and leaves no residue)
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post #6 of 13
10/13/06 at 6:11pm
Thread Starter 
I tried compressed air, no help. How about denatured alcohol? does Radio Shack sell the aerosol?
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post #7 of 13
10/13/06 at 7:52pm
I would expect that RS carries it, but my experience has been that whatever I want is out of stock at whatever store I go to. Denatured alcohol is better than water, but not as good as the spray. Actually distilled water wouldn't hurt anything, but it would take a long time to dry. I have cleaned circuit boards with distilled water or denatured alcohol after a coffee spill, but I dry them out in a 200 degree oven. I would be afraid that the keys would melt.
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post #8 of 13
10/13/06 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 
I think I'll try the alcohol first, then distilled water. I'm in no hurry to get this going again, I can wait a week or so for the kbd to dry.

Jerry
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post #9 of 13
10/16/06 at 11:12am
Does the OS the laptop's running have an international keymapper installed?
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post #10 of 13
10/17/06 at 4:20pm
Thread Starter 
No international keymapper installed. I tried the Dvorak layout but no change. today I'll try cleaning the cable end, if that doesn't work I'll be buying some alcohol soon.
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post #11 of 13
10/17/06 at 8:27pm
Thread Starter 
Tried cleaning the cable end with an eraser. Nice and clean but no improvement. Looks like I'll be buying some alcohol!
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post #12 of 13
10/18/06 at 10:48am
Look at the toshiba site maybe there is a driver for the keyboard. Some laptops have keyboard drivers. I know my 4030 din't had one. At least you can try that one as well.
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post #13 of 13
10/26/06 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
FIXED!! I soaked the keyboard in isopropyl alcohol for about 10 minutes, sloshed it around a few times, rinsed it with more alcohol, let it dry a few days, reinstalled it and it works! Tah-dah!

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Jerry
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