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    Alienware M17xR4 1/3 of Keyboard Randomly Stops Working

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Coatal, May 13, 2013.

  1. Coatal

    Coatal Newbie

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    About one third of my keyboard (including but not limited to T, R, Ctrl, Backspace, 3, etc etc) will randomly stop working with no sort of indication I can see, then a few minutes later start working again.

    Does anyone know how to fix this or have the same problem? I don't know if there are any driver problems or anything. I have the latest BIOS and stuff.
     
    Coatal, May 13, 2013
    #1
  2. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    Try an external keyboard to see if it behaves the same way.

    Otherwise you can try to navigate your BIOS for a while and see it happens there, if it's a software issue it should only happen in Windows.
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, May 13, 2013
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  3. Coatal

    Coatal Newbie

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    I don't know how to use BIOS. The problem is getting worse and worse. How can I fix this? I've seen other people with this problem but I think they had older models. If I hold down the key and then press it a few times or mash it, they work, but typing normally is not an option.
     
    Coatal, Jul 16, 2013
    #3
  4. jaeyang9

    jaeyang9 Notebook Consultant

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    call dell.. speak to tech support about your problem.. and they will send a tech next day service to replace your keyboard.. assuming you are still under warranty

    i had a different keyboard issue.. but dell took care of everything
     
    jaeyang9, Jul 17, 2013
    #4
  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Send me a PM with your service tag and home address and I'll send a tech with the keyboard if the PC is still in warranty. No need to call in.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jul 17, 2013
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  6. Coatal

    Coatal Newbie

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    The computer was purchased in America but I'm in China now. It's still under warranty until next month but I don't think I'll be going home until at least October. I can't figure out how to PM people on this forum for the life of me.

    For more details, there's never been anything spilled on it and it's never been dropped or anything. Also lately when the problem randomly occurs, pressing the left side of the space bar doesn't work but the right side does, it's so frustrating. I bought an Alienware because I read they were renowned for being stable and problem-free and now this is happening.
     
    Coatal, Jul 17, 2013
    #6
  7. J.Dre

    J.Dre Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    You may be able to mail it back and forth to a friend or relative to have it repaired.

    Anyway, to send a PM (private message), click on the member's username (to the left) and then click "private message." You need 5 posts to send a PM.
     
    J.Dre, Jul 17, 2013
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  8. Coatal

    Coatal Newbie

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    Is it possible Alienware China could look at it? Though I don't know if I trust them, they'd probably just want to steal the video card and RAM like every other Chinese place. Have you guys ever heard of this problem before?
     
    Coatal, Jul 17, 2013
    #8