Problems with Averatec 2370 keyboard

I have an Averatec 2370 and I notice that some of the keys are malfunctioning. For example, the z and the space key doesn't always register, but after banging on them for a bit, they start to work again for a while. The space bar I can understand, but the z key doesn't get use that often.

What's failing here? Is the switch faulty, the circuits? lint being trapped under the silicon? I have never had laptop keyboard go bad before.

 

What have you done to clean your keyboard?

With the notebook off, open the lid turn the keyboard upside down and gently smack the base with a flat hand to jar loose bigger crumbs. Then use compressed air to blow any crud out.

No guarantees, but it's an easy, fast, cheap first step to troubleshooting.

 

I actually took off the space bar to take a look. There's not much crud underneath, just a few hairs. In fact, it's mostly clean. The only thing that it may be wrong is that stuff got under the silicone. Blowing air underneath it didn't help.

I'll replace it, but I am afraid that the new keyboard will also fail in a short while.

 

A replacement keyboard for your computer is around $120 and takes only a few minutes to pop-off the old keyboard and replace it with the new one.

 

See http://forum.notebookreview.com/archive/index.php/t-159350.html for a thread on replacing the keyboard. I had the same problem and finally replaced the keyboard. UNFORTUNATELY, my KB problem has reared its ugly head, but sporadically. When I get a chance, I'll take it out & re-install it.

I got my keyboard from FREMONTEK, which is an official Averatec supply house, for only $45. See their website: www.fremontek.com

The keyboard issue is driving me nuts. Enough that I've essentially given up using it.

ADDENDUM - just took removed the keyboard again & re-installed it taking particular attention to the ribbon cable. This time I held open the black plastic ribbon cable holder while I re-inserted the ribbon cable as far in as possible. I then, pushed in the black ribbon cable holder until it was flush w/ the plug. It all seems to be working fine now - for the moment.

NOTE : the keyboard screw in my case, was in the groove that one of the wires sits in about a 1/2 inch from the uppermost right corner, under the small wire in the groove. Apparently, it's in a different location on some machines.
Good luck.