Dell XPS M1730 numpad stopped working

HEllo all,

I have an old high specced Dell XPS M1730 which has been repaired by Dell lot many times. Its been working fine for a very long time (probably cos its not my mainstream laptop anymore).

I recently installed Windows 7 and the drivers everything. The laptop works fine. Its just the numpad which doesnt seem to work. I dont remember wether it worked straight away after installing the windows cos I cannot recall. But recently when I tried using it, it just doesnt seem to work. Whats funny is that 7,8 4,5 1,2 Numlock, /, *,and all the keys on top pg up/down, end home ----- they all seem to work fine. Its only the two rows of keys on the right that dont work.

I have checked all possible configurations in OS. I have reseated the keyboard a couple of times.

I have run out of ideas. Help folks. This is the first time I haev asked for it on any forum.

 

Did it work before you reinstalled the OS?

Normally that is a sign of a defective keyboard..

 

I am sure it always used to work as I tend to use it sometimes. What I cannot remember is if it worked right after the OS install. If it did then we can safely assume somethings wrong with keyboard.

Is it possible for the OS to mess up the drivers?

I have never come across a dying keyboard so dont know.

 

Sounds like it's the keyboard, rather than the OS. How about trying in the BIOS (as in, can you use the keys in the BIOS?) or a Linux live CD / USB key?

If you're happy inside the machine you could look for a broken track on the keyboard. May then be able to fix it with some conductive silver paint from Maplin and a small paintbrush.

Ps woohoo Leeds!