Replacement keyboard doesn't work properly

Hi folks,

I had an unfortunate incident a week ago. I spilled theraflu on my keyboard, and the keys started acting weird, so I had ordered a new G73 keyboard with backlit from eBay.
I received the keyboard today and installed it, however it's still acting weird not every stroke is registered and I hit "a" screen shows "9" for example, what could it be ?

 

Check the connection, maybe it's not connected properly.

 

IF the connection is good, check device manager and see if the keyboard filter is installed.
Also do you have any issues if you connect an external KB?
Also go here: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Ease of Access Center\Make the keyboard easier to use
Add a Dvorka..... Keyboards and languages - change keyboards - IS it set to EN - English ... US?

 

How do I check the keyboard filter ?
I don't have problem with the external keyboard, it works just fine
The keyboard is set to English - US, I'm making sure the keyboard's ribbon is connected, but the problem persists. If the problem is the keyboard connection, should I clean it with rubbing alcohol, do I damage anything ?

 

The keyboard filter is an installable windows app. You can find it here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/640272-asus-g73jh-driver-disc.html

Does the keyboard work properly, before windows runs? Can you
access the bios setup screen (by pressing F2)?

It is possible that Theraflu got into the ribbon cable connector, or that
the cable is not seated properly. It's easy to get them slightly askew, or
not fully engage the locking tab. If there is no sticky residue on the old
keyboard cable, or the motherboard connector, it's probably not contaminated.
Try pulling the cable out of the motherboard (release the locking tab first, and be
sure the battery/power is removed), then flush out the connector, with isopropyl
alcohol, and compressed air (canned). A firm paintbrush, or chemical brush works
well. Be careful, the contacts are very fragile. Also lightly clean the ribbon cable
contacts (from the keyboard). Once everything is dry, try reconnecting the ribbon
cable. Be sure to apply a light pressure, and make sure it's aligned, when closing
the locking tab. If everything looks clean, you can try just reseating the cable into
the connector, without the alcohol rinse.

Good luck,

Sir Robin

 

My laptop is G73JW

The keyboard doesn't work properly before windows starts

I've checked both old and new keyboard ribbons if there's any residue, didn't see anything, cleaned them anyway. Now the ribbon and the connection are dry and I've reconnected them, still no luck, the keyboard acts like some keys are stuck. Some keystrokes give me "ding" sound, some open tabs or make chrome fullscreen, and most of them do nothing. This is really frustrating.

 

Install this: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/nb/Apps/KB_filter/KB_Filter_Win7_64_Z1003.zip and check if it fixes the problem. If it doesn't then either you got a faulty keyboard or the problem is on the motherboard.

 

I've installed the filter and restarted the system, unfortunately it didn't fix the problem, I'm sending this keyboard back.
What if the problem is in the keyboard connection on the motherboard ? Is there any solution I can apply, or should I learn to live with it ?

 

You should be able to test if the motherboard connector is okay, by reattaching
you old keyboard. Just make sure all of the keys are up (not stuck down).
Any key, that is not sticky should register properly, if the interface connection
is good.

It is possible that the replacement keyboard is faulty, or has a bad ribbon
cable. Did you inspect the contacts/flex cable, with a magnifying glass?
It is possible to peel up the contact fingers, or cut/pinch the flex cable.
It is also possible that the replacement was a production reject, or look-alike,
with different scan assignments. You never know, when it comes from Ebay

This may sound crazy, but since your old keyboard is essentially a throw-away,
why not try a hail-mary? Place the keyboard in a shallow pan, and flood it with
90% isopropyl alcohol (or the highest you can get). If you're lucky, the Theraflu
did not get between the collapsible rubber contacts, and the PCB. While it is
under the alcohol bath, press the keys, and swirl the unit around. Try both sides
down, and maybe force alcohol into the cracks, with a turkey baster, or canned air.
Once the color of the alcohol stabilizes (assuming the Theraflu was colored), dump
it out, and replace with fresh. Just like the shampoo bottle says, lather, rinse and
repeat, until clean Finally, lay the keyboard out on a warm sunny day (or an
oven, on very low). Every once in a while, shake the keyboard out, press all of the
keys, and blow where possible, with canned air. Once you are sure it's dry inside,
give it another try. The keys will, almost certainly, return to proper mechanical
operation. It is unclear, to me, if the contacts between the rubber domes, and the
PCB will function properly, however.

BTW here are some additional references:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/gateway-emachines/360220-spilled-rubbing-alcohol-keyboard-no-warranty-very-desperate-help.html

Alcohol in the keyboard! - macosx.com

Spilled Rubbing Alcohol on laptop keyboard. Is it dead? - RedFlagDeals.com Forums

Good luck, and let us know if you give it a try,

Sir Robin

 

hello again,

I've returned the wrong keyboard, and tried to rejuvenate old keyboard by putting it in %99 isopropyl alcohol, but no luck. However, I had ordered another replacement keyboard from another trusted seller in the meantime, the good news is the connector on the motherboard is fine, that keyboard worked, but my bad luck showed itself again and the keyboard had defect on 4 of the keys, so I returned it too.

Now, I know that the connector is fine so I'm looking into buy another keyboard replacement. My led back light work, so the keyboard I'll be buying doesn't have to be necessarily backlit.

If you guys know someplace trusted and affordable I can buy, please let me know, and thanks a lot for sparing time to write down your opinions.

 

Good news on your motherboard connector

I wonder if you can order an exact replacement through an Asus authorized
service center? I did a quick search and found these two companies.
CPUTopia is in Nevada, the other appears to be in Hong Kong. I suggest
trying to exactly match the assembly/model number on you existing keyboard.
It might be wise to contact each, and ask about their success rate and/or
number sold/returned etc.

ASUS G73Jw Series Laptop Keyboard | Replacement ASUS G73Jw Series Laptop Accessory

Asus G73JW Keyboard

It looks like Asus has a BIOS variable, for identifying different keyboard
types (localization and possibly even different vendors/scan codes). It
is possible that your original replacement keyboard was okay, but the BIOS
needed to be told of the change. If you order from an authorized service
center, you should be able to get one that matches your BIOS setting.
If you get one that is localized for another country, etc, you may need to
edit the BIOS variable, using BIOS Tool (BT.exe).

Sorry to hear that the alcohol bath did not work. It was worth a shot.
I have reviewed some of the photos/videos for the G73. It looks like the
keyboard is a very simple design. You may be able to take it apart, clean
out off each sub-assembly, and re-assemble. Most thin keyboards are simply
a bottom contact board (usually gold plated contact points), and a rubber
overlay, with conductive rubber pads, suspended in a rubber "dome" above
the contact points. When you press on the key, the dome collapses, and
the conductive rubber pad shorts the interconnect points on the contact
board. The key tension you feel, when typing is the rubber dome, pushing
against the key cap. It's hard to tell, from the videos, how the layers
are assembled. Probably metal folds, or glue. If you can get it apart,
without damaging the internals, you can always re-assemble with glue,
or aluminum flu tape (does a nice job). Metal clad EMI tape also works
well, if you have any. Remember to separate the layers, while the keyboard
is upside down. Otherwise the key caps may scatter The contact board
can be cleaned with Alcohol, and then rub the contact points, with a
pencil eraser (be sure to clear off the debris). The rubber overlay should
be safe with an Alcohol bath. Same for the key cap array.

Good luck,

Sir Robin

 

Thanks again for your time and knowledge Sir Robin,

I guess I'm gonna go with backlit one from Hong Kong.

 

I've got my fingers crossed for you. Third time's a charm!

Sir Robin