The computer helper: Keyboard troubles

By Jay Dougherty Oct 21, 2006, 6:51 GMT

Washington - Without a keyboard, every personal computer on the planet is pretty much useless.

It's when trouble with the keyboard surfaces that you understand just how dependent you are on the device. Some keyboard issue can be easy to fix; others can require a keyboard replacement.

Q: A key keeps popping off of my notebook computer. I try to press it back on, and it stays, but it ends up coming off again later. How can this be fixed?

A: If simply pressing it back into place does not work, then it's likely you'll need to make a service call or to replace the keyboard itself.

On most notebook keyboard, a tiny bracket holds each key into place. There are very small plastic pins on these brackets. If one of those breaks, your key may stay on temporarily but then come off again later, as is happening in your case.

If you have a service policy with your notebook, call the manufacturer and arrange for a replacement. Even if you don't have a service policy, the good news is that notebook keyboards are generally inexpensive - usually costing less than 20 dollars - and easy to replace yourself. But you will need detailed instructions provided by the maker of your notebook.

Dell provides instructions for replacing notebook keyboards on its site. You might also search eBay or another reputable auction site to see whether keyboard replacements for your model are available. Often they are, and the sellers typically provide instructions on replacing the keyboard.

With today's plethora of budget-priced notebooks, the quality of keyboards has suffered, and it's not uncommon to have a notebook keyboard go bad. If you've had issues with a particular model's keyboard more than once, it may even be a good idea to keep a spare keyboard on hand.

Q: I spilled some coffee on my desktop keyboard and now only some keys work. Has it been damaged permanently?

A: Most likely, yes. It's fairly unusual for a liquid-damaged keyboard to continue functioning partially, but it's not uncommon for a keyboard to be permanently damaged as a result of having liquid of any kind spilled into it.

Keyboards are electrical components, and if any liquid seeps under the keys and onto a circuit board, trouble is sure to result. This is true even if you don't smell anything burning. Once your keyboard's circuit board gets wet - especially if it gets wet when the computer is on - it's unlikely that letting the keyboard dry out will change anything.

But to be sure that your keyboard is dead, borrow someone else's, plug it into your machine, and see if that works. If it does, you know what has happened.

Anyone who relies daily upon a personal computer should probably keep a spare keyboard handy, for it's often not a matter of whether you'll eventually spill something on your keyboard - but when.

Q: I get a 'keyboard error' message when I boot up my computer, and I can't go any further. What's wrong?

A: The most common reason for this error is that your keyboard has become disconnected from your computer. What this error message signals to you is that the computer does not 'see' a keyboard attached to your PC.

Be sure that you have not accidentally attached your mouse to your keyboard connector on the back of your PC. If you have a PS/2-style mouse connection, the connector looks exactly like that of a keyboard connector, and in fact the mouse and keyboard cables can be inserted into the wrong receptacles.

Another possibility is that the keyboard has died. Before replacing it, however, be sure that the keyboard is connected properly to your computer.

Q: How can I clean my keyboard without spilling cleaning fluid into it?

A: First, you should take your keyboard outside - or somewhere where lots of dirt won't matter - turn it upside down, and shake it gently. You'll probably be surprised at how much debris falls out.

After that, there's nothing wrong with putting a little all- purpose detergent in a bowl of water, gently wetting a clean cloth with the solution, and wiping the grime off of your keyboard. Just be sure that you do not wet the cloth so much that any liquid seeps into the keyboard itself.

Finally, a vacuum hose can be used to suck up any remaining dirt or dust from the keyboard. The vacuum will also act to dry out any moisture that remains on the surface of the keys.

--- Have a computer question? Send it to the Computer Helper at jayd@csi.com.