Lenovo T61 stuck key 17 error

Many apologies if i am duplicating a thread already addressing this question.

Someone (uhem) spilled an adult beverage on the keyboard of my T61. Now at boot time I get "error 0210, Stuck Key 17" message. After attempted alcohol (the medical type) cleaning and air blow dry, still no positive results....... I plugged in a USB PS/2 keyboard and successfully booted to my desktop but with some fluky symptoms (indicating apparent stuck keys). Question: Does "stuck key 17" identify which key is stuck, and if so, which one? I'm gonna try another alcohol wash and blow dry while I await a hopeful reply. As a last resort I have located spare keyboards for the T61 on the web for $15 plus shipping. Would it appear to anyone here that a replacement keyboard likely would solve the problem as described?.Or, would someone suggest another cleaning method on my failing keyboard?

Thanks.

 

Sounded similar to the problem when I had my ThinkPad R50e a while back, I splashed a small amount of liquid on the keyboard which caused it to frizz with the stuck key error. I just replaced the whole keyboard which sorted out the problem, since there may be a chance you might have short circuited one of the keys its probably easier to get the whole keyboard replaced since it isn't that much expensive to replace.

 

Hearst, thank you for that tip to replace my keyboard. I came to the same conclusion while awaiting your reply, and placed an order on line for a new keyboard. Let me say also, that while investigating possible clues, it was your article about "paste for the t61" which headed me in the right direction. At least your graphical instructions for getting the keyboard and palm pad removed from the laptop allowed me to gain confidence that I could handle the task (of replacing if necessary), and secondly, presented the opportunity to bathe the keyboard in alcohol (using cotton swabs), then blow dry with compressed air. Unfortunately, that didn't fix the problem, but it changed the symptoms enough to signal that perhaps the keyboard was the culprit. Thanks again.

 

There is also the training videos on the Lenovo support website showing the procedures for part swaps. First job I did on my T61 was to change the keyboard as the old one was worn to a shine with many keys showing no markings. Cost me equivalent to 15$ too. Its very, very easy. Just be careful and have it on a table in a well lit room. Oh and your keyboard should be an unused one for 15$.

 

If you can't wait for a new keyboard to ship to you, you can remove your keyboard and give it a bath (completely submerged) in distilled water for around a half hour. Let it air dry; maybe put a fan on it. If it has any chance of working (read: isn't shorted) that should do it. It will take about a day or two to dry, but it may still be faster than you are able to get a replacement. Good luck!

 

Many thanks to each of you who replied with your thoughts and ideas. I am pleased to report that the mailman delivered a new keyboard today (fast service from Amazon where I ordered on Sunday)............took only a few minutes to disconnect the old and install the new keyboard, and booted up without any indication of failure. I'm a happy camper again. Thanks again.