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    Is my keyboard fried?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by jmarr, May 26, 2009.

  1. jmarr

    jmarr Newbie

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    Hello everyone I have a Panasonic Toughbook 18 and I think it has a problem. I was using it in the rain (it was coming down hard) and I think the water resistance may have been compromised. The Z, X, V and right shift key don't work and the backspace key will randomly press itself. This makes the laptop almost unusable because one moment it will be fine and another moment all it will act as if I have it pressed down, deleting text or going back dozens of pages. Do you think it is just a problem with the keyboard or is it more serious? Thanks.
     
    jmarr, May 26, 2009
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  2. jmarr

    jmarr Newbie

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    Update: When I try to switch it on, it gets to the BIOS loading screen, but hangs and constantly beeps. The only way to get past this is to press the backspace key repeatedly and wait until it eventually loads. I guess this rules out some kind of malware.
     
    jmarr, May 26, 2009
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  3. Psych0Thrasher

    Psych0Thrasher Notebook Evangelist

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    Welcome to the forum!! Try removing your keyboard and dry it out by using compressed air or u can suspend it in front of a fan for a few hours and let the water drip out. upon removing the keyboard you can see if you got any moisture or water damage anywhere else.
     
    Psych0Thrasher, May 26, 2009
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  4. Doobi

    Doobi ToughBook DeityInTraining

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    The hanging on startup is from your keyboard constantly "pressing" a key. My guess is that you might have a short, or moisture making contact as if it were a key press. Do as psycho said and give it at least 2 days to dry. If you continue to have problems, then replace the keyboard.
     
    Doobi, May 26, 2009
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  5. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Slightly of-topic ,

    General troubleshooting question

    But can anyone tell me when you have a keyboard fault, you get the error message
    “ Keyboard Error, hit F1 to continue “
    If the keyboard is non-functional how do you hit the function key :confused:



    Alex
     
    Alex, May 27, 2009
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  6. Doobi

    Doobi ToughBook DeityInTraining

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    with a hammer...
     
    Doobi, May 27, 2009
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  7. Rob

    Rob Toughbook Aficionado

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    Alex, just try to find the "any" button and just hit that...
     
    Rob, May 27, 2009
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  8. Psych0Thrasher

    Psych0Thrasher Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah the "any" key usually works for me :) :) :)
     
    Psych0Thrasher, May 27, 2009
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  9. Alex

    Alex Super Moderator

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    Thanks for your input guys :eek:
    How’s the saying go….. Ask a stupid question


    Alex
     
    Alex, May 28, 2009
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  10. Strawman

    Strawman Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi All,
    Hmmmm all this hitting on the keyboard abuse reminds of when I had a zx81.
    I dont know if it was waterproof but the drop from the second floor window did not do it any good. :D. I think we used it as a door wedge after that.
    cheers
    strawman
     
    Strawman, May 28, 2009
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