I just got a CD-ROM for this ancient laptop, however when I actually put the CD-ROM in, several of the keys on the keyboard stop responding (for example, F or G have no response). I've updated to the latest BIOS from Dell's homepage thinking that's what the problem was, but it didn't have any affect. When the CD-ROM is out of the bay, the keyboard works fine. In addition I get an error saying that the computer did not recognize the device (cd-rom) in the drive bay when first booting up. This only happens rarely, and it doesn't do it again if I reboot.

Any suggestions on what could be causing this? It's a pain in the butt to try to install windows 2k from the CD without hitting the "F" for format :P

-Jess

Thats odd, from what ive read and my own personal experince the 3800 keyboard is a POS i have a couple rows on my keyboard that just dont work anyone so i stopped using it. Anyways ive never herd of this problem only affecting the computer when a cdrom drive is installed into it. The problem in my case was the keyboard was defective there was the huge class action lawsuit against dell for it. And they gave people a replacement keyboard.

It seems alot of you are very frustrated with the 3800 series Inspiron. Let me first say that I was to untill I finally on my second keyboard decided to look into it myself. Any one who uses a laptop puts force on the blasted thing and this force when the laptop is closed pushes on the keyboard which for support has a thin aluminum plate. Anyone whome has had materials understand that aluminum deforms very well when it is only about 2 mm thick. Well it conducts electricty very well to. To put it simply your keyboard is bent and won't work until its straightened the keys look to be in series in those rows so it makes sense that one would see specific rows not working. Now to what you want.

Take your laptop and turn it over, yes flip the thing over.

1. Undo all screws marked K, hey just do it.
2. take a flat head screw driver and pry under the Z and shift key corner, that is the corner not the keys you idiot.
3. remove the keyboard, deep breath, barf bag inhand ok lets go.
4. you'll see a conecter two of them actually and this gets fun. Best save the wine for later.
5 take a SMALL screw drive and GENTLY pull out the small connecter. The gently part is very important because otherwise your not never using the pointer nipple ever again. Now take some nice pliers and remove the big connecter.
6. Breath...
7. In
8. Out
9. Now lets look on to the keyboard. It needs to be taken apart to get at the aluminum plate.
10. there are several small screws, don't worry they are hard to miss. Remove them all.
11. Now look for any dents or major dings. AKA 1 mm or more. Also any bends.
12. Once your all done check to make sure nothing is out of place with the intrials of the laptop and reverse steps.
13. One note that pointer connecter is a bastard to put in so here are some pointers.
A. remove small black thingy that holds the flat wire in the machine.
B. place wire in slot and hold.
C. now place black thingy on top of flat thing and gently push it
in, repeat gently!!

14. The big keyboard conector is next.
15. Put the keyboard on and screw it down.

Now your laptop should work. By the way knowing how computer companies work all those lawsuit keyboards are gonna have the same problem so instead of sewing just follow these steps again cause while it may feel good it isn't going to fix your laptop. This will. Hope that this helps yall.

Thanks engeersaver. No dents just crumbs from my kid under the keys.