I think I might have killed my laptop - Lots of keys not working

shredder · 17-12-2011, 15:05

Hello,

As the thread suggests, I've broken my laptop. A glass containing a small amount of water was knocked onto the keyboard. I dried it off imediately, it switches on OK but a number of keys do not work e.g 'x, c, v, g, h' there are others and they all seem to be in little groups. Other keys also seem to enter a letter twice with one light press. The main problem is that three of the keys not working are used in my password to unlock the laptop!

Given that I can't get past the initial password screen, if I bought an external keyboard would it work?

I am planning to buy a new laptop anyway, but thought I'd wait until the sales next month! My main concern is getting all of my files and music off my old one!

Any advise would be much appreciated!

K

danielf · 17-12-2011, 15:10

I'd wait to see if it fixes itself first. If it doesn't, open up the laptop and take the HDD out. Then get a suitable USB caddy, stick the drive in it, and plug it into another computer to get the data off.

ZrByte · 17-12-2011, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder

Hello,

As the thread suggests, I've broken my laptop. A glass containing a small amount of water was knocked onto the keyboard. I dried it off imediately, it switches on OK but a number of keys do not work e.g 'x, c, v, g, h' there are others and they all seem to be in little groups. Other keys also seem to enter a letter twice with one light press. The main problem is that three of the keys not working are used in my password to unlock the laptop!

Given that I can't get past the initial password screen, if I bought an external keyboard would it work?

I am planning to buy a new laptop anyway, but thought I'd wait until the sales next month! My main concern is getting all of my files and music off my old one!

Any advise would be much appreciated!

K

What version of windows are you running? plugging in an external usb keyboard will work in vista/7 and will probably work in XP.
And if your laptop is old enough just plugging in an external ps/2 keyboard should definitely work.

shredder · 17-12-2011, 15:37

Thanks both.

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

I'd wait to see if it fixes itself first. If it doesn't, open up the laptop and take the HDD out. Then get a suitable USB caddy, stick the drive in it, and plug it into another computer to get the data off.

How long do you think I should give it? It happened yesterday morning. Re the USB caddy, I've never bought one before, are there specific things I should look for to ensure it is compatible?

ZrByte -I'm running XP at the moment, the laptop is about 3 years old - I was thinking of buying a basic USB keyboard of ebay so I can enter my password and tranfer everything onto my external harddrive.

**Kymmy** · 17-12-2011, 15:45

The liquid will seep into the membrane that forms the keyboard matrix, it can take ages for it to dry out but even then the silvered contacts may corrode and stop the keys working permanently. Yes an external keyboard should work.. In the mean time as the laptop is working turn it on and leave it plugged in and working for a good 24-48 hours as the heat from it may dry out the keyboard faster.

Also look on ebay for a used keyboard as it is normally just a few screws/clips that hold the keyboard and ribbon cables in place

danielf · 17-12-2011, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder

Thanks both.

How long do you think I should give it? It happened yesterday morning. Re the USB caddy, I've never bought one before, are there specific things I should look for to ensure it is compatible?

If it's been a day, then my guess would be it's knackered. Others might disagree though.

Regarding the caddy, you need to take the hard drive out and see what type disk you have (IDE or SATA). They require a different connector/caddy. You'll see that the caddy types on Amazon are clearly indicated.

shredder · 17-12-2011, 15:54

I'm inclined to agree with the knackered bit! I'm not overly fussed as I had already decided to get a new one next month, not sure I can wait until Jan though. I have the money now, but thought I might get something better for the same money in Jan!

I think I'll give it the weekend and then buy either a caddy or a keyboard if I get now joy....

danielf · 17-12-2011, 15:57

Oh. One more thing: You need a 2.5" caddy for a laptop drive.

TheNorm · 17-12-2011, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredder

...
Any advise would be much appreciated!...

You could try taking the keyboard out and giving it a blow-dry with a hairdryer.

**Graham M** · 17-12-2011, 17:20

Make sure the modifier keys ie ctrl, alt, etc are not stuck down as this may also cause this

Caff · 17-12-2011, 18:40

An unlikely set of avents sent a mug of tea over my lappy. I tipped it sideways, (on a towel) for half an hour, removed the battery and gave it a very gentle blow-dry. It works fine!

My IT supplier said I'd done the right thing.
It's a HP Pavillion running on windows 7.
Hope this helps.

Ramrod · 17-12-2011, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Also look on ebay for a used keyboard as it is normally just a few screws/clips that hold the keyboard and ribbon cables in place

Thats the one

Usually easy enough to do

Paddy1 · 19-12-2011, 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Also look on ebay for a used keyboard as it is normally just a few screws/clips that hold the keyboard and ribbon cables in place

Agreed. I recently had to replace the keyboard on my laptop due to kids spilling something into it. I picked up a replacement new one on ebay for £20. It really is a 2 minute job to replace. Have a look on youtube for videos showing how to replace.

Make sure you get exactly the right part. I originally got a replacement that was only 1 digit out in the model number and which the supplier assured me would be compatible, but it wasn't.