Help 8600 keyboard seems loose......

G'day all...

got my 8600...

the top right of the keyboard seems a bit loose...

lets see if i can explain this..

keys to the base of the keys seem fine, work as normal.. lappy keybards are designed to be silent.. lectures etc etc....

now what seems to be the problem is the actual BASE of the keyboard is loose in the top left area.. "ESC,F1~123" those keys..

and makes an awful plasticcy... slapping noise....

so keys are fine adn function fine. its just the WHOLE base seems loose at the top left area.... making a slappy noise when typing around that area...

..for example if i push down HARD on the escape key... then type away.. works perfect.. quiet etc.. but if i release.. the keyboard seems to lift up a bit on that top left corner enought to make slappaty slap sounds...

has anyone else had any problems? are there any solutions for this?

thanxs heaps...

Loz

 

Hello,

One of the constant negatives I've often read regarding the 8600 is the keyboard. The left side of my keyboard feels flimsy and loose. Unfortunately, I know of no solutions. You can try to have Dell replace the keyboard, but I don't know how much it helps.

 

Two things, there's latches on notebook keyboards that hold it in place. One of these could not be clamped which is why it's popping up/loose. Look at the manual for where they are and press down where you should to make sure they are latched.

Second, the 8600 has a cheesy case and many complain about keyboard sag. This could just be due to cheap plastic. If you don't like it, return it, you have 30 days [} ]

 

"If you don't like it, return it, you have 30 days "

oh no.. hehe too late...

well i "think" its all clipped down...

its not like threatenning to fall of.. its like raised JUST ENOUGH.. to make annoying slapping noise.. say 1 mm or so?

i think it can be fixed... like i said.. if i push down on escape, it holds the keyboard down.. then typing is as smooth as ever

might see if i can get underneath and do something about it

thanks for the response guys..

yeah i agree qith the dell quality of build problems but they dont cost as much as toshibas/IBMs etc... do they?

Loz

 

You have 3 options the way I see it.

1 - Duct Tape

2 - A piece of cleverly placed gum

3 - a nail, although this could have adverse side-effects. [ ]

 

1/2 sounds good...

need to remove my keyboard..

voids warranty? or can you get keyboard up without opening up case?

if this could be solved... its a very sweet laptop..

thanx heaps

loz

 

Hi Lozza,

I had the same problem with my 8600 and the solution is relatively simple. It needs some handywork however....

Ok, on the top left corner of the case where the blue accents are, you will see a little notch off to the left. VERY CAREFULLY using a flat screwdriver, snap off the top part of the blue panel. Do it really slowly, there are catches on the top and bottom edge of the plastic that keep it in place, and these will have to be uncatched.

Then you will see a series of screws (..it might only be one, don't remember now) that keep the keyboard in place. Remove these. The keyboard will now be free and you can remove it.

Now.... You will need to cut a suitable bit of flat foam. I salvaged this from some equipment packaging, but even if you don't have some lying around somewhere, you can buy it from a stationary shop. It will probably come in rolls.... It's basically foam about 2mm thick that you can cut to size. Cut out the rectangles or squares you need, and place them under the parts of the keyboard that are loose and rattle (for me it was the lower left end). Then reassemble your keyboard and voila, the problem will dissappear and it'll be much more comfortable when typing.

This is exactly what Dell will do if you return the computer to them for repairs! Why waste time and pull your hair out calling India? Just do it ur self! Hope it all works out.....

 

Haha awesome!

thanks heaps for that Magiciaen.

yeap i'm capable of that, shouldnt be a problem...

the rattling is annoying isnt it!!!

will open her up now and have a look

thanks again,

Loz

 

hmm i just had a go...

i snapped off the blue panel

it lifted up.. but the gray panel above it lifted up with it...

i did not want to force any more, ans couldnt seem to separate the blue from the gray?

i never saw under the blue, cos it seemed to just lift up the grey with it.. bending it...

Loz

 

Hi Lozza,

That's fine, normal. Just proceed slowly, and don't force anything TOO much. It needs a little force, but what you described seems OK. Don't be TOO timid! If you keep manipulating it, all the catches will eventually release. Hope it goes OK!

 

so should the blue pandel detatch from the gray banel?

or do i lift up the gray panel with it?

sorry, just clarifying. dont want to bend or snap the gray panel....

thanks again,

Loz

 

Hi Lozza,

The grey panel right above the upper blue accent (including the parts covering the hinges with the LED lights in the right one) and the blue accent itself are one piece, so they should lift off together -- don't try and force them apart, you'll be sorry! ;-)

 

i see.. .this tinkering makes me nervouse... :-
so i take it then your laptop has to be open to 180 degrees in order for this to happen...

so pop up off at the notch, then progressively lift off more and more?

sorry for being a baby, but i dont want to regret anything!

Loz

 

Yes, the LCD needs to be at 180 degrees. I just opened up mine yesterday, and at first I was nervous because it just wasn't popping open.

Just go very very slow. One thing that helped was placing the screwdriver under the areas that I was able to pop up, and then sort or pried my way down the blue strip.

 

Yep, that's the way nesbo! [ ]

 

What about the warranty? I got 4 years on this baby and I just got it Friday... I don't want to do anything to void the warranty
[V]

 

Hi Metrofighter,

As long as you don't actually break the keyboard or plastic, they'll never know you were inside and it won't affect your warrenty. (!)

 

I'm with you metro.....

But i'm def gonna do it, cos this slapping keyboard is bloody annoying.. tarnishes an otherwise good keyboard... so it will be worth it.

I'm just gonna be careful, following the instructions given here.. thanks guys!

Loz

 

Actually, Metro, I asked Dell to send me a new keyboard, and it actually feels better now that I replaced it. I may have had a bad keyboard.

 

I sent in an e-mail to tech support at dell and they sent me this e-mail back


I apologize for the inconvenience you may be experiencing due
to issues with your system and I assure you it is our hope that
you have a positive experience with our company.

I would suggest you to tighten the screws
at the bottom of the laptop marked 'K' and check whether the
issue persists and if the issue persists I will send in a replace
ment keyboard for the system.



- However, I can't find a section labled K, and I don't think this would help anyways. I checked all the screws on the bottom & they're all tight.. Any luck over there Lozza? [ ]

 

agreed... there is no screwdriver K???

i dont think its the keyboard though?

well just a little loose tho.. i mean the keyboard is fine...

do you reckon we should get a new keyboard metro?

did they mention sending your lappy in? or will they just send you a new keyboard to replace yourself?

Loz

 

Dell sent a keyboard to me...maybe my old one wasn't set correctly or something, but I will tell you that since installing the new one dell sent me, the left side of my keyboard feels more sturdy.

 

Hi guys,

Hope your keyboard probs are fixed. Did you open it up and try fix it? That fix I told you about is actually what Dell Service Support do when they get complaints about loose keyboards. Just some foam underneath the darn thing. So I figured to do it myself instead of going through the hassle of Dell support. Try the foam first, if it doesn't work then ask them for a new keyboard!

 

i opened it up while procrastinating when i shouldhave been doing my assignments...

was at g's house.. couldnt find a bloody mini phillips head screwdriver! how annoying...

the blue panel, cannot be removed from the laptop? (its attatched by that electronic cable)

Loz

 

Hi Loz,

Yeah, the blue thing doesn't have to be COMPLETELY removed, it just needs to move enough for you to get at the screws (which isn't that much!). You're only a philips screwdriver, 2 screws and foam pad away man!

 

I'll let you guys know how the new keyboard works out when i get it and get it installed.

I have the at home service warranty, so I hope they send a technician out to fix it... since i'm afraid to open it up myself in fear of breaking something. [|)]

 

tehehehe

done!!!

the pics you've all been waiting for!!!!!

[ ]

http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~lchi325/dell/

So yeah, i opened her up [ ]

Nokia 3310 box... sorta egg carton material.. used uhu glue to stick it on... should be ok yeah?

let us know what you think..

ps keyboard is smoooth as!!!

very pleased

Loz

 

Way to go Loz!! [8D]

 

now to do the trackstick buttons mod...

those buttons really sheet me... what were they thinking?!?!?!

I'd LOVE to do the d800/m50 mod...

some pretty funky stuff here

http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=18160

but waranty... maybe in 3 years time.

Loz

 

Hey Everyone! I GOT A REPLACEMENT KEYBOARD FROM DELL IS IT WORKS BETTER. The only problem is the space bar key seems to be a little loud now. But the other buttons work great. The tech. guy came out and replaced in less than 5 min. I was surprised. GL with all of yours.[ ]