CF-51 Keyboard Problems Maybe

Hello All,

Upon start up i pressed the F2 hoping for the computer to enter bios but it ignored my request and just carried on to load windows.

I restarted the laptop and pressed the F2 key a few times thinking i had to double press the F2 key but again it just continued to load windows.

On start up it doesn't ask for password etc etc as i never set them. I think everything works as it should. i checked in hardware profile all seems to be in order there nothing flagged.

Any ideas ???

Kindest Regards,
John

 

The "Press F2 to enter Setup" prompt may be disabled in the BIOS; this ONLY removes the prompt, it does NOT remove the ability to enter the BIOS.

When the blue Panasonic logo flashes on the screen is when you should press the F2 button. If that doesn't work, try plugging a keyboard into the PS/2 port on the back; it's possible your F2 button is faulty. I recommend the PS/2 type instead of USB only because the USB type doesn't ALWAYS initialize quick enough to be detected properly that early in the boot sequence. You can try it; it may work.

Good hunting!

mnem
*Key*

 

Are you doing it during the Panasonic splash screen?
Sometimes it pays to repeatedly press the button a few times to make sure it gets the message!

 

Hello,
Many thanks for your continued help and support...

Yes i am doing it when the panasonic splash screen appears i just could not remember if i had to press the F2 key once or x amount of times its been a while since i have have had any need to.

Further to the above F2 issue i have noticed that several of the F keys don't work. I plugged in an external separate keyboard like you suggested and pressed the F2 key on the panasonic splash screen and bingo i'm in and i have reset the bios and saved on exit with default values.

So it looks like the keypad is at fault.

Can someone tell me what the part number is for an replacement keyboard ?

My machine is CF-51ECKDRBE and the motherboard model is CF-51-1L

Kindest Regards,
John

 

Have you tried any of the other keys on the keyboard. I had the same problem as you and it was my motherboard...I had I think 6 total keys not working (F2, F8 ,1 ,4, 7, 8 ) . There is a thread on it here somewhere.

 

My first reaction is that the F2 key wasn't working.
I'd re-set the keyboard cable. Use an eraser on the contacts. Keyboards are cheap. Kindof

Good post by M above. What he said.

Jeff

 

Check this out...this is when I had my problem and what I tried...
http://www.toughbooktalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=495

 

Hello,
It would appear that by pressing the 'FN' key and one of the following keys 1, 3 & 5 these work. however keys 2, 4 and 6 don't.

I'll take it apart now and clean the ribbon and re seat it and see what happens.

Apart from pressing F2 on start up to enter bios (i can achieve this by plugging in an external keyboard)... I'd like to be able to press FN+ F2 just to make the screen just a fraction brighter.

Kindest Regards,
John

 

Have you tested every key on the keyboard to see if the rest are ok.

 

Hello,

I took the toughbook apart removed the keyboard and cleaned the ribbon and re set it. Still the same outcome.

Yes i have pressed all the keys etc and the following keys don't work 2, 4 & 6 either with or without the FN key.

Would it be safe to assume that the keyboard/ribbon is at fault here ?
Any one know where i can get a replacement from other than at the well known auction site ?

The Model Number of the keyboard is MP-02856GB-8142 and the Part Number is N2ABZJ000056

Kindest Regards,
John

 

I have 6 bad keys on mine1,4,7,8 and the letter o and r

on mine I tried 4 keyboards and nothing . Come to find out it was my motherboard

yes but shipping to the UK is not cheap. I could sell you one for $15.00 but it might cost you that much to ship it and I really don't think that is the problem but it might be worth a try. Let me know and I will test it first on mine .

 

Hello,
Yes please i would be very grateful if you could test the UK Keyboard that you have for sale for my M1 LL - Cf-51 Laptop.

If you could pm me and advise me of the total full price inclusive of postage and packaging etc i could pay you for the item via paypal if that's ok.

When you pm i will give you my email address etc and could you forward me a picture of the item please (front/back) ?.

It's worth a try as i loves my toughbook !

Kindest Regards,
John

 

Crap It's not a UK Keyboard...darn. sorry it's a USA english

 

Hello,
Oh that's a pity !...
Many thanks for going out of your way to try though my friend.
I really do appreciate it. !!!

Kindest Regards,
John

 

Actually it would be pretty easy to pull the UK key caps from the bad keyboard and put them on the US one. Since you know the existing one is bad, you can experiment on how to pull the keycaps. That way, if you goof, you haven't screwed up the keys you need. If I remember correctly, pop up the key cap from the bottom or side facing you with the keyboard in the normal position. Just remember - GENTLY. Once that side is popped up, slide the cap slightly forward and it comes off.

 

The US-keyboard has less keys then other.

 

Hello,
Ah right i see what your saying that's a very good idea as i think that there aren't to many differences between the two layouts.

Kindest Regards,
John

 

Hello,
Can i use the UK keyboard from any CF-51 regardless of it being a M1, Mk1LL, MK2 and so on ?

Kindest Regards,
John

 

Yes...they are all the same. I will post a picture of the keyboard when I get out of work this morning ( in 12 hours )

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6495132-post1.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6495205-post1.html

May be of interest.

Easy does it.

Jeff

 

Here is the picture of the US keyboard...hope this helps. Also renamed this thread since there was nothing wrong with the BIOS .

 

Hello,
Many thanks for doing the picture of the US Keyboard for me.

There aren't to many differences in the keys at all.

On the UK version the number 2 key also has " and on the USA Version the number 2 key has @

On the UK version the ' key the @ and on the USA version the ' key has "

I have one extra key on UK version (that i don't use anyway) and the US version has a longer space bar instead of the extra key i'm on about. (to the left of the space-bar underneath the c key)

As we all know within windows or whatever operating system we use you can change the language to whatever UK, USA etc.

So am i right in assuming that if i wanted to i could take the 2 keys from my UK Keyboard and put them on the USA one and keep my language as UK ?



Kindest Regards,
John

 

of course, no problem, if u don't miss the key and as a hint: for 1€ u can buy self adhessive labels for ur language

 

rusty503 looking for assistance with a CF18 model change

Started a new topic...Thanks

 

Hello All,
Just an update for you...
I bought another complete (MK1 LL) CF-51 toughbook with a fully functioning keyboard. I took out the fully working keyboard and swapped it over with the malfunctioning keyboard. The laptop's F2,4 & 6 keys still dont work. So i guess its a motherboard issue as previously mentioned or something else.

Kindest Regards,
John

 

I was afraid that would happen...same problem that I had last year. I ended up picking up a trashed 51 with a working motherboard and put it in mine
BTW I did forget to tell you how much it was going to cost to send a keyboard to you...very sorry, the last few weeks have been nuts

 

Hello,
It's ok my friend !... i have been rather busy myself lately - No rest for the wicked hey ?

I bought a complete fully working cf-51 for next to nothing running linux so that i could use the keyboard etc. Also an added bonus the laptop had the full 2GB of ram in it where as mine only had 1GB ... So now i have one tidy 100% fully working machine. The other one I'll put it on the well known auction site.

Kindest Regards,
John