VPCZ1190X Keyboard Issue

Well this one came up today on this system
just using it as normal and noticed some of the keys stopped working

after some investigation, I found F2, F3, the Fn key and the number 6 the ~ the hyphen, delete keys stopped working. Kind of an odd combination.

suspecting it was a HW problem I am on the phone to Sony and they intend to replace the keyboard. although it was a little humorous, since the support person wanted me to get into the bios and since the F2 key did not work, That was not possible, but she insisted that I reload drivers and the like, even though I found myself explaining that the lack of a functioning F2 in the BIOS could only be a hardware issue. That was pretty disappointing.

I would prefer they send me a keyboard and let me replace it, but she says they have to do it. Looks pretty easy to remove the top of he laptop from the posts I have seen--

Does the keyboard assembly (as a replaceable unit) consist of the aluminum plate with the keys and PC board in back of it, or after the top of the laptop is removed, does the keyboard then remove as a complete unit? Have not seen video or pix on that.

the system has not been through any trauma, or unusual behavior. The system has never been opened up either.

This grouping of keys is probably has some common decoding, makes me think it is perhaps the connector for the keyboard.

Anyone have any similar stories or had an event where where the keyboard behaved like this and reseating the connector fixed it?

 

Once you unscrew around 20 screws at the bottom of the Z, the keyboard + aluminium plate lifts up together as a piece. Here's some pics of the aftermath:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/5980459-post82.html

If you're comfortable with it, why not try reseating the keyboard connector? The cable lifts vertically upwards from the motherboard connector, no latch.

 

Yup I got that from the pix, I am on travel now and wont be able to get to the Laptop till tomorrow, if it turns out the keyboard has to be replaced under warranty ( they will do it on site) does anyone know if the keyboard assy is removed from the aluminum plate or is do they just replace the plate and keyboard as an assembly. if the keyboard separates from the plate how much work is it to get to. Have not seen pix of a separated keyboard from the plate

I am mostly concerned about the tech they send out, basically I may not be there when this happens (my wife's system) and I am trying to get a handle around how much re-assembly risk I am being subjected to. I have experience with some of these guys that are scary bad, and others are excellent. I would prefer it if sony just sent it to me and let me do it, but that wont happen.