Keyboard flex on new T400

Hi everyone. I've read a lot about keyboard flex issues on the T400 and from what I've gathered, the new models should be updated to take care of the flex. I'm no expert, but it seems like my keyboard has a good deal of flex towards the right and left edges. People have said to check the FRU to see what brand keyboard it is, but according to my parts lookup info on Lenovo.com, the FRU for the keyboard is 0000000. Assuming my keyboard is flexy, I plan on calling Lenovo tomorrow to try and get a replacement keyboard sent out. Is this an issue that the Lenovo rep might be familiar with, and what should I say in the event that they don't know what I'm talking about? Should I request a specific FRU?

 

Ya if you can get the FRU fro the t61 style keyboard that is easiest. Or just try another rep.

 

But what do I say?

"I just got a new T400 and the keyboard seems very flimsy. Can you send a T61 style keyboard?"

Will they know what I'm talking about?

I have Mfg # 42T4034 and FRU # 0000000

What keyboard is that?

 

Does it really say FRU #0 on the keyboard?

 

the new replacement keyboard are the 42T3209, maybe this is different in other countries.

 

I haven't physically took apart the laptop to look at any label or anything, but on the Lenovo parts lookup page it lists the FRU as 0000000.

So if I get to the point where a rep is willing to send me a replacement keyboard I should ask for FRU 42T3209?

I am in the US.

 

they would send out the correct keyboard to you. You cant just ask for it, they will send out the one that is appropriate.

 

So what you're saying is that they'll probably send me the exact same keyboard that was shipped with my T400 in the first place..

 

If you have the FRU 0 then you can ask for the FRU 42T3209 I suppose it goes with the T400 as well.

 

they won't send you out the old perforated keyboard, they will use the solid version that is compatible with the T61 i believe. You just have to call up and talk to them, the support tech would have the final say on this matter.

 

Remember though that this is by no means guaranteed anymore because as far as lenovo is concerned the new bracing fixed the issue.

 

I'm almost dead sure that Part#: 42T3109 and FRU: 42T3143 is the solid NMB keyboard from the T61.

 

Here's my experience.

I'm in the US, got a T400, with the FRU 42t4066 flex keyboar. Called Lenovo support, their words were "we can't send out a part that your laptop didn't ship with". And yes, I tried multiple sales people. All say the same thing. Now I suppose that if you're really persistent, and have the time/patience, just keep calling and hope for your luck.

Or just do what I did... get one from Ebay. A brand new(in box), solid-backplate keyboard (42t3143) is $30. Heh, I actually bought two of these at this price... one for spare.

Here's picture for your reference



The top is what my T400 shipped with. The bottom one I got from eBay.

 

OK, so I just called in and here's what happened:

(both calls were made to the tech support in Atlanta)
Call 1: Spoke to a rep and he said he would send out a 42T3937 as a replacement.

I searched around online and found that people said the 3937 was the same keyboard that was already in the T400, and it was flexy so I called back to see if they could possibly send me the 42T3143 which is apparently the best one.

Call 2: Spoke to another rep, gave her my case number from call 1 but it didn't show up in the system. She decided to just create a new case. I explained to her my situation, and she said that she was going to send out a 42T3947. I asked if she could send out the 42T3143 instead, and she said that she could only send out what the computer told her to send out, but since according to the computer, the 42T3947 was not in stock she would be able to send out the 42T3143 instead.

I'm not sure what to expect because it's weird that the first rep told me he was sending a 42T3937 while the second rep said she was sending a 42T3947. Maybe it was an error made by one of them? I am hoping the 2nd rep was actually correct and that I will be receiving a 42T3143 very soon. The 1st rep did seem like he knew what he was talking about more, though..

 

Eh, who cares. You will see what shows up in a couple days . At least you got some response.

 

Update: After missing delivery yesterday, I received two 42T3143 keyboards today. Took out the keyboard that came with my T400 and sure enough, I found the flexy keyboard with lots of holes in it (FRU 42T4066). Comparing the flexy 42T4066 with the solid 42T3143 was very significant. The 3143 was much more solid, and it also was heavier. The keys are also noticeably quieter on the 3143, a win-win for me.

What's better, is I called Lenovo with a question on return shipping and I was told that I don't need to return anything to them since they just recycle the returned keyboards anyway. Now I have an extra 3143 (and the original flexy one) to use for backup if something happens and I don't want to wait for warranty!

 

wow!you lucky thing!!

 

You got super lucky getting 2. You might as well sell the flexy one though .

 

So it looks like my flexy original keyboard was a US English R400 Chicony, and my new solid keyboard is a US English T400 NMB.

Why would they put a so called "R400" keyboard on a T400 in the first place?

 

Because they are the same.