Ant Went Inside My M1530 Keyboard

This may sound really stupid, but a black ant somehow made its way on my palmrest and I was about to kill it when it creeped under my spacebar and sought refuge somewhere underneath.

I tried scaring it by pushing on all my keys but it didn't come out. So it might have died underneath or is still in my computer.

I just want to know whether there is an opening to the system components (processor, video card, HD, etc.) under the keyboard of my XPSM1530 where the ant can go in. I'm afraid that if he's still alive, he can make his way into the system and mess up some of my stuff.

Thanks...

 

I would leave it come out which it will do once it has found there is no food. A squashed ant might cause more problems.

Many years back I watched a small ant cross my LCD display on the inside. I let it continue on its way, never to be seen again.

John

 

I wouldn't sweat it - keyboard circuits are more well protected and coated than interior boards, and most notebook keyboards don't have direct access from the keypads to the inside of the unit. The keyswitch plungers stick through a silicone membrane, a plastic cover over a membrane, etc., or something similar to prevent small amounts of debris/liquid from entering. Most boards have a thin layer of conformal coat that protects the traces anyway.

Most keypads come right off the switch plunger for replacement - you can usually pry them off with a small wooden q-tip or something stiff that's soft and non-marring.

 

That's a first John - have to add that one to my list.

 

The keyboard is a little raised so the ant can walk true it without problems. I had one also but didn't make a big deal of it. I just waited for it to come out. If it did die it probably shrivel up.

 

turn the laptop upside down and shake it a little it probably will fall out

 

i can remove my inspiron 1520 keyboard in 2 minutes....should not be the had of the 1530.....check out the online manual...it should not get inside your computer....at least no through the keyboard.

 

That's disturbing John... Haha. If the ant was "inside" the LCD, it would be like some Matrix-like apparition of a creature creeping through the screen. It was probably like seeing a ghost for the first time...

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation of keyboard circuits. However, I think it would be a different story if the ant crawled into a USB port or any port for that matter...

Thanks anyways guys for all the suggestions...I feel more relieved now...

 

hehe dont worry steel, ive used my m1530 in construction sites, and ive had all types of insects roaming through my keyboard, i use compressed air to kick them out if they dont do so by themselves, and if you cant find them, they are probably fried by now, your system runs at 75C most of the time, thats like putting the ant on a hot pan.... it will fry, decompose and turn into dust
or live happily ever after by your DVD drive, witch runs cool, until it finds that there is no food, and dies.

either way, you shouldn't worry a bit, your computer is safe

 

What if the ant makes it to the CPU and decides to take a pi** at it? They would both fry.

Undervolt before it happens.