forum.librettoworld.com

[earlofeastjurong]

Hi there,

Some of the keys on my Libretto 50CT aren't working. I have a feeling it might need cleaning..

Does anyone have a guide for doing this?

[Dave]

for cleaning I use 70% Rubbing alcohol.

However if your keys are not working, you might have other issues.

Pop the strip off that covers the top of your keyboard. Remove all the visible screws.

Disconnect your keyboard from the Libretto.

Blow it out with compressed air. The connector it plugs into as well.

Plug it back in but don't put the rest back together. Type and see if it works now.

If it does work, go ahead and put it back together.

If not, you might have to do more cleaning or disassemble your keys and find out what is blocking contact. It's best to do it with the keyboard out.

[earlofeastjurong]

Hi Dave thanks for the help, will report back soon with results

[earlofeastjurong]

I've taken apart the keyboard, but there is no dust , dirt or grime ! Absolutely spotless. No cosmetic differences between the working and non-working keys on the contacts. I also tried touching the pad directly , still doesnt work. The ribbon cable seems fine. I mean, if the cable was the problem , the whole keyboard wouldnae work right?

So is my best solution to buy a replacement keyboard part? Or do you think the system board (mobo) could be the problem?

i dont have any of the diagnostic disks or the PCMCIA FDD drive , so i can't do that test they describe in the Service Manual.

[ThePDI]

I think it is the ribbon cable, i don't know which keys don't respone of your keyboard
but if 1 signal of the ribbon is broken a few key woun't respone cause they connected to the same keypad track.

Note: this broken track is mostly invisible even if the ribbon it self isn't broken

Boot the libretto (example dos or notepad)
Carefully liftup the keyboard and hold down the button (defective ones) and move a littlebit the ribbon cable until you see the defective letter on the screen.

I had this problem with other laptops Compaq M700
This problem happens if the keyboard removed often or ribbon bended every often in scarp edges. Somehow made that stress of malfunction also if you push to hard on the keyboard on it may bend a littlebit (example "space key" where the ribbon is found underneed).

Goodluck!!!