Samsung QX410 - is it possible to replace the keyboard?

I've had the QX410 since November and have really enjoyed it. Unfortunately my 3-year old spilled beer on it a couple nights ago (it was my beer, not hers!). Some of the keys didn't work at first and now pretty much the entire keyboard is dead with the exception of one or two keys. I hooked up an external keyboard and the computer itself basically works fine, although whenever I try to use the Windows search, "fffffff" is typed endlessly...not from the external keyboard, but (seemingly) from the built-in keyboard. Also, when I open up the My Documents folder it will sometimes flicker back and forth between a couple folders. If I shut down the computer and re-open it, it seems fine.

I have been trying to take the keyboard out but to no avail. I tried prying the metal case off and only bent it - it seems to be glued on. I opened up the back and there is a ton of hardware on top of the keyboard and I have no idea how to remove it.

I originally loved the design of this rig, but now I'm thinking it is terrible - it is made so that "adventurous-but-non-technical" folks like myself cannot replace something as simple as the keyboard. I've replaced keyboards on a Dell and an HP and both were easy.

Now I'm faced with the likely reality that I either have to spend a couple hundreds dollars to have a technician fix it for me (I already ordered a $30 replacement keyboard) or just scrap the whole thing and buy a new computer.

Or am I missing something? Is it easier than I think to get this thing out? The replacement hasn't come in the mail yet but I'm trying to figure out if I can even get the keyboard out, and if once its out the other glitches stop (if they do, then only the keyboard is messed up, if not then I have to assume that some of the liquid got into the motherboard or some other part of the computer).

Any advice? I've googled and come up with zilch - some sites claim that they have a QX410 keyboard replacement guide, but it is pretty much a general laptop guide with "QX410" pasted in.

Thanks!

 

I've not used any of these island keyboard machines to have a chance to see how they are assembled. Are there any screws in the base (also check under any removable covers) that hold everything together?

John

 

I can remove the screws and take the plastic base off, but the problem is that the keyboard is underneath a bunch of stuff - the CPU, fan, motherboard, etc. It seems that the only way to access the inside of the case is from underneath. I tried pulling the aluminum top case off and bent it pretty badly - it was glued on.

It just seems like a really faulty design: if your keyboard goes you pretty much have to either get a tech to swap it or buy a whole new computer. I suppose I could try dissembling everything, taking out the fan, motherboard, etc, but that's a bit beyond my experience.

 

Hi All-

New to the forum, but have a comments/questions pertinent to the topic.

My collegiate daughter had the same exact issue with her QX-410, beer spilled on the keyboard. She also has the same symptoms of a non-responsive keyboard that occasionally repeats a single letter. Her speakers also no longer function, but she gets audio through the line and headphone outputs.

We shipped the PC to Samsung, who said the motherboard needed to be replaced.

Questions:

Is every function of the PC integrated in the motherboard? Can an input device or sound card be replaced without replacing the entire motherboard?

What is the motherboard model number on a QX410? Is it only available through Samsung or can it be sourced somewhere else?

Would replacing the internal keyboard even solve the problem? What about the audio?

Could an external keyboard work, like a 802.x or a Bluetooth with an adapter?

Thanks in advance for helpful comments.

az

 

Hi guys,

I know this question has been up for quite some time, and I have opened the QX410 as well. Ahem, it appears the only way to remove the keyboard is to remove all of the hardware. I am a technician, and will be receiving the system probably back from Samsung in a few days. I asked them to fix it on my behalf since it was under warranty, and said oh since it is "physical damage" we want to charge you 200 bucks to fix it.

Once I attempt to fix it myself and succeed. I plan to explain how to do it, and if possible make a youtube video of it, since this design made by samsung is a pain in the butt to deal with, and isn't like conventional laptops. I should be posting again in a matter of a week about my success or failure at this venture,

 

I have to ask. Why would you let your 3 year old drink beer around your laptop?


My son had a QX that i changed the wifi card in. I looks as if you would have to pull everything apart.

 

OP, this model has a topcase with keyboard built in, so you need to take off the bottom, remove the mainboard then replace the top. There isnt any other way to do this. If you've already ordered the part though you might aswell try.

Ill gladly try and help you anyway i can

 

* Samsung want to replace the mainboard because the computer has come into contact with liquid. They most likely doesnt care if it reach the mainboard or not. Once a laptop has come into contact with liquid we automatically replace mainboard and keyboard/top

* No not every function is integrated in the mainboard. Cant remember if this model as a dedicated audio-board or integrated on the motherboard.

* Replace the keyboard/topcase would not fix the audio, but the keyboard

* Yes, turn off the keyboard in BIOS, use an external one through USB