Water damaged keyboard

My wife has an Asus M5A but recently spilled some soft drink onto the keyboard which causes some of the keys not working and the keys being stuck down sometimes, the notebook itself works perfect though.

My question is, can I some how disable the keyboard that is inbuilt on the notebook so I could only use the USB keyboard?

 

I would imagine youd have to open the computer up and mess around with the connections.

But, why would it matter anyways? If youre using an external keyboard why does is matter if the one on the notebook works or not?

 

It is not normal to be able to disable the internal keyboard. Your best move would be to take it out and clean it.

Notebook keyboards are held in by some screws underneath (usually marked "K") and some (usually spring-loaded) clips around the edge of the keyboard. Once you have lifted up the keyboard there is usually one ribbon cable connecting it to the competer. You need to release the ribbon cable at the socket on the motherboard.

Once you have the keyboard out, soak it in a bowl of warm water with some detergent, give it a good scrubbing and then rinse it with clean water and let it dry. There's a good chance that this will get it working again.

I don't think that the external keyboard will let you access all the functions. Can you enter the BIOS on boot up using the external keyboard?

John

 

That's because keys become stuck down and I am unable to perform functions.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give that a try.

 

My mothers boyfriend has a dell e1705 and he spilled a small ammount of cranberry juice on his keyboard, just enough to make his keys stick, well he took his keyboard out, washed it under the sink with soap and water, let it dry for a day, and it worked great the day after, but 2 days after it started sticking again, so he just bought a new one off ebay.

 

using some of the stain remover spray to wash the keyboard after you open it up is good to avoid of the issue that it will stick again...

At least that what i did with my keyboard (wireless keyboard not notebook keyboard) but the principal is the same...

but one thing... it is important to let the keyboard totally dry... adviceable to just leave the keyboard on the table or something.... for a day or two... to avoid any short circuit or something like that...

i did one day drying on my house window before btw...

 

Thanks for all the advice, I've tried looking on eBay for a replacement keyboard but couldn't find one.

One more question, I've opened up the keyboard and found the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard. How do I disconnect this cable? just pull it out with force? I'm afraid I might damage it

 

There should be a little tab looking thing that you can pull up on that is on the ribbon cable. It will take a bit of force to pull it out. Good luck!

 

Some of those ribbon cable connectors have a tab that you lift up, others have a wedge-like clamp that you need to prise out along the direction of the cable.

Poke around with a small screwdriver until something moves. Or, if you have a digital camera with a good macro capability, post a photo here.

John

 

The gunky build up will affect the onboard keyboard only, so while it is inadvisable to leave it as is and use a USB keyboard, you can do it. Any possible damage to the motherboard will have already been done by now.