Replace keyboard; do I have to send in the laptop?

Please give me advise on whether HP will permit just a keyboard replacement or if they always require the entire laptop to be sent to them?

I spilled about 3 tablespoons of a drink into the 10-key pad on my laptop. I have accident coverage and HP is willing to repair the laptop. However, they want the entire laptop. I asked if they could just send out a keyboard and was told "No". I've had the keyboard out of the laptop twice now, while cleaning the liquid out and in aiding the drying process (I have most of the keys functioning now). I didn't tell HP that I opened up the laptop, because it looks like admitting that would void my warranty. I need to call them back Monday to proceed with the replacement or not.

Has anyone been able to get just the keyboard replaced, without having to send in the whole unit?

Background if needed: After the spill, I immediately turned the laptop upside down, pulled out the power cord, did a shutdown and removed the battery. Let it dry overnight. Keyboard still not working fully. Took out the keyboard and spritzed with very mild soap & water, followed by lots of distilled water. I used soap because the liquid was olive juice, which contains oil. I put the keyboard in front of a fan and 24 hours of drying. Keyboard still not fully functioning, but a few more keys are working. Turned on a program that used both processors and got the laptop nice and warm. That brought back all but a few number keys on the 10-key pad. No improvement in the past 3 days. I love my 10-key pad...

 

Some cases they can send you the keyboard but since you pretty much soaked your whole laptop they want to have a look

You can just buy the keyboard module on ebay for like $20 and replace it yourself. Its alot better than sending it in to HP. Thats IF the keyboard is the only issue which i dont think it is

 

I didn't 'pretty much soak' my whole laptop. About 3 Tablespoons went into the 10-key pad. When I sprayed the keyboard, it was removed from the laptop, then dried, then placed back into the laptop. I was carefully following instructions from others who had successfully treated a spill. When the keyboard was out, I also removed the dvd player, which is directly below the 10-key pad, it doesn't have any area that appears to have gotten wet and it plays dvd's fine. The laptop is working great, I'm typing on it now. I am missing the use of the 1,2,3,6 & 8 key on the 10-key pad - ALL other keys and functions of the laptop are working.

With this said, what do you feel could be any other issue with the laptop? And yes, you know of cases where the keyboard has been replaced for a spill?

 

I replaced a more severely spilled dv9000z keyboard with a new HP keyboard purchased from eBay. I'd rather pay the $20+ship to do that then to send the notebook into HP to fix for "free". That way I'd know that my HD isn't going to get reimaged, little downtime, etc. Mine was out of warranty though.

 

I have no idea myself, but can the keys be popped off without breaking and somehow clean those specific keys? Is there any diagram anyones come across on the net showing how the keys are fixed on? Thats what I would try do IF it was easy without breaking it....voiding warranty. And then if that doesn't work I would get a keyboard off ebay (as I confidently use ebay a lot). You know how to replace it already. Its probably cheaper than the shipping of the whole laptop and then they probably recover the entire hard drive ....just because they can...and you loose everything the way you have it.
On the other hand you got the accidental damage warranty to use. I like to fix my own stuff it is simple enough.

 

i think you should buy a keyboard and replace it yourself.

 

I wanted to give an update on my replacement keyboard. After going on eBay and purchasing a keyboard, I installed it and several keys didn't work. It was suppose to be a new keyboard! Much back and forth with seller, a second keyboard never arrived, etc. I got a refund.

Called HP back and begged, very politely, could they send only the keyboard? I assured her that I could install the keyboard. She placed me on hold, and said she would refer this to her manager. They sent me a replacement and I now have a fully functioning keyboard.

Thank you HP!!!!

 

Did you use the accidental coverage to get your keyboard from HP?

 

Yes, I used the accident coverage.