CSx Keyboard problems

Question

My daughters Laptop is giving her problems. History we have replaced the battery a short time ago, then a virus ruined her hard drive. Now the keyboard is acting up, replaced it and the problem did not gone away. Problem when she types like the I,O,P M,N etc numerals show up, but hook up a reg keyboard and all is well and functioning.the problem is on the right hand side of the keyboard .Looked for chaffed wires, something out of place and everything look in proper order. Need some input for now I have to much money and cannot afford to scrap it. Thank you.

junkyard 38 · Answer

Thanks for the information, but I do not have the padlock key, yes the FN key. What key would be do the same unlocking of the keyboard.

bheisey · Answer

Check for a 'PadLock' or similar function on the keyboard.   My keyboard has an 'Fn' key and a 'PadLock' key. Both are in blue lettering. Holding Fn and hitting 'PadLock' toggles this feature on/off.   I have a non-Dell laptop that does the same thing if this feature is turned on. Letters on the right are arranged in a slanted number pad whereby (as an example): 7=7, 8=8, 9=9    U=4, I=5, P=6       J=1, K=2, L=3 etc. An attached standard keyboard is not affected by this feature.

bheisey · Answer

Dell ships systems with a diagnostics disc. The diagnostics contains a keyboard test. If you can locate that disc and boot from it, and run that particular test it may help.   I have not found a Dell keyboard 'padlock' feature so far... I am still researching for a possible hidden feature. I have a Dell laptop in front of me now and am trying to duplicate the problem.

pac7575 · Answer

I had the same problem..along with many others. heres what i did, i spent 2 hours talking to some inexperienced Dell support tech, bought a replacement keyboard..when i got it I began to take it apart, but then it proved more difficult to replace than i thought..so i put it back together with the original keyboard while i awaited a friend of mine to help. Anyhow, I turned the computer back on to find that the keyboard work..so to sum it up, take it apart and put it back together, and get all the dust outa there : ).. hope u have the same luck i did .

junkyard 38 · Answer

WED MORNING. Been working trying to figure out the problem, came across a stark revelation. When I plug a reg keyboard into the unit thru the docking station, both key boards work normal. disconnect the reg key board and it still works normal. Undock the unit and the keyboard reverts back to as if locked. I am very perplexed. If she did not have to take it with her to classes, I would say enough and use reg. keyboard, but disconnected it becomes useless. As per the previous post I did clean all of the components to remove any dust and debris.

Still perplexed.

bheisey · Answer

That is very perplexing! Sounds like it's time to get Dell a call. The following text is the closest thing I can find in Dell's knowledge base:   There are several possible reasons why a keyboard will fail to operate: A docking station problem. A problem with an external peripheral. A physical problem with the keyboard. If your keyboard or one of its keys is not responding, perform the following steps: Shut the system down and remove all power connections, both AC adapter and Battery.Leave the system off for at least one minute and try again. If your computer is attached to a docking station, undock it and then retest your keyboard.If the problem persists continue. If the problem only occurs while your computer is docked, you may need to troubleshoot your docking station. Disconnect any external keyboards, extension cables, switchboxes, or adapters from your computer and then retest your keyboard.If the problem only occurs when using an extension cable, switchbox, or adapter, you may need to troubleshoot that peripheral or cable. If a specific key is not working, use a can of compressed air to clean around the problem key and then retest the keyboard. If the problem only occurs in a specific application program, try another application program, such as Notepad and then test the keyboard.If the problem only occurs in a particular program, you may need to troubleshoot that particular program. If the problem still persists, shut down your computer and attach an external keyboard to test the key functions with. If the external keyboard works, shut down your computer, disconnect the external keyboard, restart your computer, and then test the internal keyboard again. Additional Resources If this information has not solved your issue, then Contact us for further help.

Rollie_R · Answer

All,   The key is Numlock.  It may be marked in blue and will need to be used with the Fn key.  One problem is that Numlock can also be set by the Operating System.  First, when you boot the system, see if the numlock light is on.  This looks like a padlock with a number inside.  If it is on, then use Fn+numlock to turn it off.  Now reboot and see if it comes back on when you reboot.

junkyard 38 · Answer

I wish to thank everyone who helped. Did finally resolve to me being a complex issue, with a very simple resolution. Thank you DELL? Rollie for putting the final piece of the puzzle together. Thank you to all who spent there time helping with the resolution also. Don

Locked Topics – Laptops General

CSx Keyboard problems

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