Please help - I broke my keyboard on my z laptop 6 key is only working key

Hello,

I was taking my Z690 apart to put in a larger hard drive and I did something wrong because the keyboard no longer works even in the bios. The cable seems snug on both ends. I tried removing it from the motherboard and plugging it back in and it still doesn't respond. I've rebooted - pulled the battery booted again - the 6 key is the only key that works. I've tried caps lock - 6 is the only key that types. The touchpad doesn't work either.

Thanks

 

The photo of the cables area may help more.

 

Here are two pictures -maybe I'm missing the obvious but I can't figure out what is wrong.

 

I got the same problem with my TZ when I took it apart. Check to see if both end of the cable is secured. For the ZIF side of the cable, try to push it in a little bit to make sure it's actually in (some small pins may not fit in). Also try checking the end with the rectangle. It may be broken on one of the pin. Also, try checking whether there is any paint on the cable that is scraped off. That paint are actually electrical contacts.

 

The photos are hopelesssly out of focus. Does your camera have a "macro" setting to allow you to take closeups. We can't really see the conectors clearly enough to render any help.

Gary

 

Look at your first photo, the cable from keyboard to the connector seems not to be seating completely.
Let try unplug it and replug it to the connector to see any difference.

 

THanks - I've unplugged and replugged about 20 times. I'm thinking it is something else.

 

Can we please get an in focus picture?

Gary

 

Thanks but I've decided to send them back to Sony. I certainly do appreciate people here trying to help.

I just really can't imagine what someone hopes to glean from a picture. Short of the cable being an inch from where it is supposed to plug in it would be hard to tell what the issue is from a picture. My cell phone camera is what it is. If someone told me there printer wasn't working and they assured me the usb cable was plugged in tight at both ends, I don't think I'd need them to send me a picture of the USB plugged in to verify that it is seated properly. This isn't to put anyone down, I appreciate the helpe but unless there is some other cable than the middle copper one or the silver right angle plug being locked in place I'm not sure what you are looking for in the picture. My guess is that the system bios would need to be cleared or a controller for the keyboard on the motherboard is burned out.

Again, I've snapped it back into place about 20 times, tried rocking it back and forth on the connection, tried unlocking and locking the silver ribbon on the keyboard as well.

Zephr, Thanks - I just read your post - it could be that the ribbon paint is damaged - in which case I'll need to send it back to Sony.

 

Wait... so you WANT them to void your warranty? First time I hear this.

 

NYSTATE - I could throw it out my window and send them the scraps - they'll repair it - I appreciate your concern but I don't think it will be an issue.

I decided to take some pictures with my old camera - I'm not a photographer so please excuse the blurriness, lack of atmostphere and lack of subtlety and the demeanor of the subject.

To be clear, I've reseated the copper connection on the motherboard numerous times and I've tried plugging the blue ended connector on the silver right angle ribbon several times. The copper end that gets connected to the keyboard doesn't seem to be movable in any way. If you've worked with Dell's, HPs and Lenovos you can usually slide the other end into the ribbon holder and lock it - just like the silver ribbon on this motherboard with the blue tip. This does not seem to be the case on the Z series.

 

Having repaired a host of machines since 1976 when I owned the first computer store in Cincinnati, what I was hoping for from a clear picture was to see if the keyboard was attached by a ribbon cable into a slotted connector with a slip collar. With a clear picture it would be possible to see if the cable was fully inserted and the collar completely closed. Many folks who have never encountered this type of connector just assume all the need to do is push the cable back into the slot, not realizing the collar even exists.

Good luck on returning you laptop now that you have voided the warranty.

Gary