Keys on keyboard failing after long term of laptop being switched off!

Hi, I used the laptop without problems for 2 years. Then last year august 8 i turned off laptop and went on my honeymoon. I didnt take laptop with me. When I came back and started it up, i discovered some keys didn't work. notably S key as well as some numeric and symbol keys on both keypad and numpad. I cleaned out keyboard but didn't work so replaced it. But the same keys did not work even in new keyboard. Reinstalling Windows did not help. Now recently after one month trip overseas (didn't take laptop with me) i come back and find more keys not working including D key, enter (both in main and numpad), backspace as well as the previous keys. Pls help. No-one touched my laptops during my absences.

Laptop model is N61Jq

 

Just to be clear when you press the keys nothing happens .. Is that correct? IF so and since it is getting worse it sounds like a hardware issue, either the cable from the KB to the MotherBoard or the connector to the MB itself. I have never replaced a KB, did the new one have a new cable attached?

 

yeah. the letter does not get typed, it does not enter or backspace, etc. nothing happens. the new keyboard also had new cable attached. so like u said it might be connector of motherboard problem.

but if so, why does it happen after long durations of no use. that part makes no sense.

one thing to note however is that some keys that stopped working the first time in numpad now DO work (only ENTER does not work in numpad)

i'v thought about updating bios but never done it before so bit hesitant. also wonder if it can be done without ENTER key. any answers to this?

thanks for the reply.

 

Good to be wary of BIOS updates, I am certain you will need to hit enter unless you create an unattended bat file on a bootable USB stick. But it could brick the computer entirely or have no effect on KB. that would be my last ditch "solution"
When you are in the BIOS does the enter key in numpad work ?

 

Cant use ENTER on bios screen. :/ had to power off to exit. neither main keypad nor numpad ENTER worked!
An update though: The 9 or ( key on the main keypad came back to life yesterday. But the rest remain dead. :/ Dunno how it happened.

 

This is a little far-fetched - but maybe there's some kind of organic growth on the keyboard, like a fungus or something. That thrives when the keyboard is not exposed to light, air or to regular usage for long periods of time. So each time you leave home for extended periods, it grows further over the board.

Have you ever spilt any kind of liquids into the keyboard?

 

That makes sense, but i bought a new keyboard and had the last one replaced with it. If its a keyboard issue it wud have been fixed i think.
'Ive spilt nothing major on it although i dont often clean the lappy. Plus i live in a really hot and humid country [Maldives].

tried disconnecting and reconnecting the keyboard chord yesterday. no dice..

 

First: congrats on getting married!

Did anyone have access to the computer while you were away? This sort of problem is common with spill damage - especially when the liquid gets to the board, as it can damage the keyboard controller.

 

^^^ this bring to mind this question: Could leaving the computer in a very humid environment has the same deleterious effect?

 

Thanks!

u mean the motherboard? Actually, while i'm sure no-one *used* the laptop, i didnt actually put it away the first time round (honeymoon trip). I kept it on my desk, (i can't remember if it was open or closed) but the cleaning guy could have come in the general vicinity of it.

The second time round though i am sure no one touched it. I put it in a laptop bag and put it away in the cupboard. Definitely no spillage this time. :/

Would keeping the laptop unused with the battery connected have any affect on it?

 

Have you tried an EC (embedded controller) reset, by fully removing power (the battery and AC adapter) and letting the machine sit for 30+ seconds?

Do you have a USB keyboard you can try to rule out a software problem (if the usb keyboard also has the issue)?

Have you tried booting a linux livecd/liveusb to try the keyboard in another OS?

If multiple keyboards have had a hardware problem, it is probably not the keyboard but the connector or another problem on the board. If you spray the keyboard ribbon cable's exposed contacts with a small coating of deoxit or other solvent like alcohol, then insert it into the board and let it sit for a few minutes it should work its way into the connector. If it isn't oxidation, it may be a bent or broken connector or pin on the board side of the connection.

There is also an extremely remote possibility that your BIOS chip has been corrupted (it is where the keymap -- the table for the internal keyboard's signals -- resides); you could try first restoring to user defaults in the BIOS menu, and if it is of no effect, reflash the BIOS.

 

You're welcome! And yeah, I meant the motherboard (or main board). I don't think leaving the battery in would have caused the keyboard to malfunction, but I suppose it's possible that the EC chip needs refreshed per ALLurGroceries' suggestion. Even so, I've never heard of the keyboard or keyboard controller going bad as a result.

 

I tried what u said (EC reset). Didnt work. I dont have a usb external keyboard but i cud get one for about $8 from nearby. But i am a bit strapped for cash at the moment. $8 is quite a bit in this country, lol. I might try that later on. I have almight also read up on the linux live cd option a bit and might try that later on (or would that require me to press ENTER anywhere i cant access On-screen keyboard?)

Getting any sort of alcohol here would be a bit hard (even rubbing alcohol) since its not available to locals. Would a dab of cologn or aftershave on a cotten bud work just as well? If it would be, ill try that.
Unfortunately any venture into the BIOS menu would require me to exit it with ENTER key, therefore i would not be able to complete the restoration to defaults. :/

 

Any mild solvent will do, as long as it doesn't have anything conductive, corrosive or sticky left as residue. If you can't even hit enter at the BIOS screen you can rule out software, it's some kind of hardware or firmware problem.