Take a look at "springs" the keyboard uses, they are the little X shaped plastic things that go in between the key and the membrane switch. if the nipples (yes, that is the actual term, little pieces that stick out of the X) are broken, then you will have to replace them. Make sure you have them oriented the right way - they only go on one way. The other problem area is the underside of the key itself, if this breaks, then you will have to replace the key.
Usually, it's the little X shaped plastic thing that goes bad. Sometimes, you can use needle nose pliers to bend the nipple back up and have it snap in ok.
If all else fails, you can very easily replace the entire keyboard. I recently bought a NOS one for $6 off e-bay. To replace the keyboard, there are 6 phillips screws on the bottom of the laptop. Remove them and flip the laptop over, the keyboard should fall out. There are two connections: one for the keys, the other for the trackpoint device. The keyboard connector is the larger of the two, it is a friction fit, so should pop straight out (up). Use a small flat head and pry upward at each side, gently. The mouse connector is a little tricky: there is a plastic clip that just needs to be pushed out VERY gently - easy to break. Just push it out about 1/4 of an inch: it stays connected at all times, there is just a little play. Once you have moved the clip out (towards the lcd), the ribbon cable pulls straight out.
To replace, just reverse. Make sure the ribbon cable has the contacts face down. The keys connector is keyed, and can fit only one way. Let me know if this makes sense to you. I used to work on those laptops for years, used to be Dell certified. Also, take a couple of pics and I can mark them up for you if you wish.
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Topic: Anybody know how to fix broken laptop keys.............. (Read 1243 times)
