splashed coffee on keyboard..now it won't work

Question

Baby bumped me when I was on the laptop and I splashed coffee on the keyboard...more than a splash but less than a spill.....The computer is working fine and so does the mouse and touch pad..I just can't type letters....At first you could hit J and it would type jkll but now it won't do anything..Any ideas or  suggestions? I sure can't afford a new one.

Rollie_R · Answer

missyroberts02,   Thank you for using the Dell Community Forum.   First, I have to warn you that the damage will not be covered under warranty, unless you have Complete Care Coverage.   As a workaround, try an external keyboard.   Lastly, you might be able to replace the keyboard yourself.  The keyboard is held on by several screws on the bottom, each marked with a K.  The replacement keyboard is no where near as much as an out of warranty repair.  You should be able to purchase the keyboard from Spare Parts (800-372-3355), and if you go to Product Support above and click on User Guide, you may be able to find the Service Manual for your system to guide you through removing and replacing the keyboard.

snapohead · Answer

The keyboard screws may or may not be marked with a K, depending on the model. What model laptop do you have?

missyroberts02 · Answer

i took the rubber keyboard pad off and used a baby wash rag with just water to wipe it off really well in case some coffee was dried on it then put it back on...still wouldn't type that night but this morning I turned it on and it would type but it didn't for long..then it was back to either not typing or say I hit the s key...it gives me some type of menu.....I was hoping it just needed a little time and it would do okay...I also tried to connect the desktop keyboard to it and it would say it found new hardware and that it had been installed but it wouldn't type either.

TimW_of_NY · Answer

You should get the keyboard replaced. It's pretty easy if you're patient and can follow instructions.

As for the baby bumping you, always use an external keyboard and monitor at home. This way you can keep the laptop completed closed and out of reach of your kids.

If it sounds like I'm speaking from experience, I am! Replacing a $10 keyboard is a lot easier than replacing at worst a $1500 laptop.

Tim

Message Edited by TimW_of_NY on 11-05-2004 06:14 PM

laffingbilly · Answer

you'd figure after so many years of making laptops, someone would make a sealed keyboard with the keys operating magnetically.  watchmakers have been doing this, don't know why laptop companies do not.   everytime i've spilt something on the laptop when it is on, it fries the keyboard.  you could have dried it out, but i've opened the things up and found water trapped on the bottom.  if it wasn't on, you probably would have been saved.  anyways, the keyboard itself isn't that expensive, and it's easy to swap out yourself.  goodluck.

missyroberts02 · Answer

Thanks for all the replies....Its been working fine today....typing on it now.  As for the reply about using the external keyboard and monitor...well..I'm a stay at home mom so if I don't use it here I wouldn't ever get to use it.  My hubby bought it for me so I could play my games and watch tv at the same time..lol. I shouldn't have been drinking coffee over it so that will change now..lol.

Heyu2 · Answer

Hope you don't drink the coffee with sugar do you?  That would make things much worse.

laffingbilly · Answer

i like the dell moderator's comments...always buy, buy, buy, more from us (you should have bought the more expensive coverage plan, you should buy an external keyboard, you should buy a new keyboard).  not one word about, ok unplug it, try letting it dry out.  it's tedious to take off all the keys but it is doable, i've done it before.  anyways, yeah good thing there wasn't sugar.  that stuff just ruins everything.  that's why i prefer my coffee like i prefer my keyboards...black.

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