Yet another Keyboard problem

Question

I've been looking through the message boards, and it looks like this keyboard problem is common in the Inspirion.   I bought my wife a new Dell inspirion 1000 about 4 months ago.  She sure was glad to get a new computer.   Now her keyboard is unusable.  It's the same problem many have reported where depressing one key will cause it to display the depressed key and the one next to it.  For example pressing the letter 'r' will display 'er' or 'e'   This computer isn't even 5 months old.  Brand new.  I called Dell tech support .. they told me the computer is out of warranty?!?!?  Can you believe that  ... not even 6 months old, and I'm out of warranty already?  I asked the rep how long the warranty is.  3 months.  Insane.  These computers are only designed to operate for 3 months at a time.  They should market these computers as disposable.   Has anyone corrected this issue?  If so, I'd sure love to hear about it.   Chris Hackett

Chris Hackett · Answer

Be prepared for more dissappointment from Dell.  I called around and surprisingly Dell was easily the least espensive place to purchase a replacement keyboard.  Although, I have to admit it pained me greatly to give Dell any more of my money.  I spoke with a parts person at Dell.  I'd say that was on about Wednesday of last week.  The guy said something about 'We don't have that in stock so we have to place some kind of special order for it .. I'll take your name and number and call you tomorrow to make the final order.'  Well, that was on Wednesday of last week.  Now it's Monday, and I've still not heard from them.   I'm trapped in Dell  H ell!! :)   Chris Hackett

janismurph · Answer

chris,  i know how u feel. i have the same problem. I am ordering a new keyboard now at my expense. My opinion of DELL just dropped about 10 notches.

Walt S. · Answer

Inspiron 8500, same problem, 'e' = 'er', 'd' = 'df' etc. Replaced the keyboard, same problem. I would like to know if anyone solves this. Thanks wshuler54@bellsouth.net

xeenie · Answer

boy, has Dell slipped many notches....my daughter has an inspiron 2200 less than 6 months now....so many problems....no one in my family will EVER get another Dell...her keyboard is doing all sorts of weird things....adding numbers...4 and 7 everywhere. she is out of warranty and is serioulsy considering scrapping this one and buy anything else !! and Dell used to be reputable. no more.

this is what hers is doing..

"my7 key7board is act4ing funny7 agaihn. t4ried t4o order a colulzzle
envelope maker from t4he scrapbooking st4ore, and couldn't4 ent4er my7
credit4 ccard informat4ion correctly7.

don' y7ou just4 love dells?"

i posted this yesterday and so far no solutions ! i dont think there IS a solution except throwing the piece of junk away !

Walt S. · Answer

I obtained a 'new' keyboard only to have the same problem...........'e' ='er', 'd'='df', same ole stuff. The 'new keyboard had 2 'k's & no 'j' so I sent it back, no replacement yet....waiting. The basic problem may be the input filter on each scan line.........  33 ohms with unknown cap network to ground, I may try increasing the caps to reduce cross-talk between scan lines, but what a pain in the a.. for an otherwise good laptop....... Will advise, Walt

janismurph · Answer

Chris, you are going to have to get a new keyboard, it costs about $10 and it is not too hard to put in. I feel your pain. Something 3 months old should not break.

Walt S. · Answer

An easy work-around has been a wireless (USB) keyboard & mouse but this kinda takes away from the "portable PC concept" of a laptop.

Also new, the BIOS now does not recognize the AC adapter used & will not charge the battery or operate at full speed.......... Is Dell a demon from Hellllllllll?????????????

Walt S. · Answer

Well I received a 'new' keyboard, same problem, d=df, c=cv, 3=34 ....still looking for a fix. The power supply (AC) problem turned out to be a bad battery, take out the battery and all warnings go away and it runs at full speed. Good machine with a wireless keyboard & mouse.

Walt S. · Answer

Correction for the above 'bad battery'.   It was not the battery but the cord from the AC adapter, battery is fine with a good adapter.

dreeder72 · Answer

I know this post is ancient but I hope this helps anyone searching for a fix, I have fixed the problem on mine. I have a Dell laptop Studio XPS 1340 and recently I experienced double key strokes when pressing 3/4 E/R D/F C/V. I disassembled the computer and found that there was a trace of conductive corrosion on the keyboards ribbon cable where the contacts are exposed. I cleaned the contacts with a soft brush (A tooth brush) and put it back together. Everything worked perfectly. Don't restore, don't go into the bios, don't format, don’t try resetting the CMOS and don't replace the keyboard. Just clean the keyboard ribbon contacts. Please don't ask how to disassemble your laptop, your on your own there since each one is different.

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Yet another Keyboard problem

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