If you've already replaced the keyboard, but are still getting the same problem, then the issue must be either with the keyboard ribbon cable, the connector, or the motherboard.
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Some Dell Inspiron 1501 keys not working every time despite replacing keyboard
I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 that recently has begun experiencing issues with some of the keys in the top left of the keyboard. It's not that they don't work, just that they don't work every time you press them. Makes for interesting emails definitely, but I think I'm making my spell checker work too much. :)
I tried replacing the keyboard with a new one purchased from Dell, but for some reason the same keys are still not working every time they're pressed. This happened before and after a complete reformat. Is there anything else I can check, or does this mean the motherboard is part of the problem?
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by: triangle-laptopsPosted on 2009-11-04 at 13:59:53ID: 25744447
Have you tried using a USB keyboard? If those keys work there, then I'm sure its not your motherboard. The motherboards don't generally go defective and cause certain keys to not work. There could be some contaminant in the connector, though. It would be good to use some alcohol and a soft bristled brush to clean out the connector that the keyboard ribbon cable plugs into. While you're at it, clean the end of the ribbon cable itself. If that one is just a flat ribbon at the end, then you can use a pencil eraser to be sure that there is nothing left on the contacts of the ribbon cable.
The fact that the problem followed a different keyboard tells me that it will have nothing to do with the keyboard itself.