The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Looking for M17x keyboards...

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by hankaaron57, Dec 14, 2011.

  1. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

    Reputations:
    534
    Messages:
    1,642
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    My warranty's up and I need a keyboard. Any tips on places for used or refurbished keyboards to replace my R1's would be much appreciated.
     
  2. Morgor

    Morgor Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    you should try ebay, lots of chinese seller. I got mine from it a while ago.
     
  3. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    14,963
    Messages:
    5,671
    Likes Received:
    1,521
    Trophy Points:
    331
  4. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

    Reputations:
    534
    Messages:
    1,642
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    So, I bought a used one off ebay. But it turns out the problem wasn't the keyboard. It's either the OS or the motherboard connection.

    This happened once before when I took the machine apart, but I don't remember how I fixed it. The keyboard 'works', but the keys type real slow and delayed. Almost like the OS doesn't recognize it fully? The keys do in fact work, but it can't keep up with my typing speed and I sometimes have to hit the key two or three times or HOLD it down for it to register. I know it's not the keyboard because this happens with either my own or the replacement I bought off eBay.

    I believe I fixed this in the past by restarting/power cycling the computer a few times, but that hasn't helped in this case. Should I take out the CMOS battery? Anything else I'm missing? I can't even find the bootup option for diagnosing input errors/keyboard problems. I must have disabled it along the way and can't remember where to reenable that screen.

    Any help is much appreciated. I don't want to have to resort to getting a new motherboard >__<
     
  5. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    14,963
    Messages:
    5,671
    Likes Received:
    1,521
    Trophy Points:
    331
    In order to reach the diagnosis menu press F12 (repeatedly) after the alien head.

    But do attempt a power drain by removing the CMOS coincell battery and depressing the power button for ~30seconds with no battery in the system and the power cord unplugged.
     
  6. hankaaron57

    hankaaron57 Go BIG or go HOME

    Reputations:
    534
    Messages:
    1,642
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Thanks I'll try that. I can't even find any motherboards for the R1 on ebay >_< I hope this resolves it.