dell laptop space bar issiues

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-01 14:29:52

My space bar just started doing funny things to me. It doesn't always work. If I press it in the middle, it works most of the time. It doesn't register most of the time if I press at the ends. If I give I press it down hard for a few seconds, it will work for a minute and then be back to the way it was.
If I press the f key then the middle of the space bar:
f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f
Now the f and the end of the space bar:
ff ffffffffff f f f fffffffffffffff
Now if I hold the space bar down hard first:
f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f f fff ffffff

Can I remove the bar to see if anything is trapped under it without breaking it? I was using it on the couch and when I brought it upstairs, this happens.

The space bar doesn't have the same feel to it when I press it as it did before.

Help?

Allan · 2008-06-01 14:41:27

It does sound like you got something stuck there. I preface this with don't do this unless you feel reasonably confident. It is a lot easier than I thought when I first did it but I don't want to take any blame...

What you can do is power down, remove the battery, the use a screwdriver to lift the panel below the screen (where you see a small indent on the top right). That allows the keyboard to lift right out - careful it is attached. Unplug the keyboard and give it a shake.

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-01 15:09:18

I'll keep that idea for a last resort. I also tried using compressed air, but that didn't work.

The possibility of something stuck sounds correct. Last night , I was using it on the couch, and at times, it was in a position where some piece of junk could have slid there from somewhere else in the keyboard.

EDIT: I see the indents you are referring to. This is an inspiron 6400. What did you have?

Last edited by Raccoon1400 (2008-06-01 15:11:59)

Allan · 2008-06-01 15:16:38

I was also going to suggest a dustbuster. But if you have already tried compressed air, I'm not sure it will help.

I have a Latitude D520 and a Inspiron 1525.

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-01 15:19:34

Which did you pop the panel on?
I think both laptops have that notch.

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-01 15:27:13

I found these instructions for removing the keyboard
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/s … #wp1111863

Allan · 2008-06-01 15:27:21

I popped it on the Latitude because of a broken keyboard which I replaced. It think they are all pretty much the same in the end...

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-01 20:27:00

I popped the keyboard out with the instructions I posted the link to. I gave the keyboard a good shake, and a good blast of compressed air.
Where do I go to order a new one?

Allan · 2008-06-01 23:51:21

I ordered directly from Dell. I haven't looked into alternatives.

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-02 00:19:33

Do you have a link? I haven't been able to find it on their site.

Allan · 2008-06-02 00:24:26

I can't remember how I ordered that. I either had to phone them or there is a Dell kiosk in my local shopping center with staff that can do it. Anyway, I pretty sure you won't find it on the website. Enjoy calling customer support...

Raccoon1400 · 2008-06-03 00:22:25

I called dell. I talked to about 4 different people, and then was on hold for 1.5 hours. I hung up, called back, and was connected within 10 min. The keyboard was $30.90 Canadian, and should be here in about a week. I should be able to save some money by installing it myself.

Arch Linux

#1 2008-06-01 14:29:52

dell laptop space bar issiues

#2 2008-06-01 14:41:27

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#3 2008-06-01 15:09:18

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#4 2008-06-01 15:16:38

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#5 2008-06-01 15:19:34

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#6 2008-06-01 15:27:13

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#7 2008-06-01 15:27:21

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#8 2008-06-01 20:27:00

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#9 2008-06-01 23:51:21

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#10 2008-06-02 00:19:33

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#11 2008-06-02 00:24:26

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

#12 2008-06-03 00:22:25

Re: dell laptop space bar issiues

Board footer