Laptop keyboard not working

[Akoto]

Hi all,

Hoping for a little advice before I send my laptop off for repairs!

I was using it earlier today without issue. Laid down for a few mins, sat back up, and the keyboard was dead. No apparent cause. The device manager claims the keyboard reads as present and fine. All else on the machine is working great. HP with Vista Premium.

I am using the on-screen keyboard right now, which is grueling work. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[BlueJazz]

1. Uninstall the keyboard...turn off...turn on computer. see what happens.

Windows should find it and reinstall.

[Akoto]

3. Doesn't seem to be working ...

I uninstalled it in the device manager, which forced me to restart. When I came back, the keyboard was still in the device manager (no message on startup about finding it) and says the device is working properly. Still no keyboard function.

There is a blue light which normally switches on when I use caps lock, but even that doesn't turn on when I hit the key.

Note that there are two things listed under my keyboard section ... "HID Keyboard Device", and "Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard with HP QLB". I uninstalled the second one. Was that OK?

[Why Syzygy]

4. This week

I have had to reboot several times due to my keyboard going dead. Must be going around.

[david13]

2. I think I have seen that before as well. Turn it off, and back on.

I think a solution can be found here. I don't think it has to go out for repairs.
dc

[Akoto]

5. Tried something new ...

All else having failed, I plugged the keyboard from my desktop into one of the laptop's USB ports. It works! Unfortunately, I usually lay with the laptop since chronic pain makes it difficult for me to sit, and using the separate keyboard is proving rather tricky.

Since the separate keyboard works, is that maybe more indicative of a hardware problem with the laptop keyboard itself?

[david13]

6. I am no expert. But it is possible. But still possible that it is a software

problem.
What keyboard diagnostics can you find and run?
dc

[Akoto]

7. This will sound strange, but ...

Yesterday morning, when I woke up, all but the far left half of the keyboard was working again. Caps lock spent about an hour turning itself off and on. Gradually, things improved, and all is now normal. :shrug:

I'm glad the problem seems to have resolved itself, but I'm paranoid about it coming back!

[Dead_Parrot]

8. Might be time to get a replacement in

Sounds like something in the key matrix is shorting out or jamming, which can have all sorts of weird effects. Unfortunately there isn't a huge amount you can do with this, but if you hunt around you can probably find a good spare kbd - in ascending price and reliability, either take pot-luck with ebay/craigslist; find a PC repair shop; or ask the manufacturer.

If it's covered by warranty, you might get the manufacturer to send out a forward replacement (and if you manage to swing that, I'd suggest buying a lottery ticket!)

[Betty88]

9. if its the keyboard

its not hard to change out. They usually cost abut $20 and in most cases you just need a small screwdriver to make the repair. Instructions for opening it up and changing it should be on the web somewhere.

[david13]

10. Wow. Betty, you're right. There are many videos about how to do

it. One, on the HP Pavilion, easy to change, really, just getting the connector in, not breaking anything, getting the right screws, but also getting the right new keyboard.
I wonder if Fry's has them? They have several stores here. Or order one online.
dc

[Betty88]

11. I have gotten them online

Don't know if Fry's would have them in stock but give them a call.