I accidentally spilled a little soda on my Dell Studio XPS 1640 laptop. The keyboard still works but some keys are sticky. I would like to replace the keyboard myself but it looks like this model is different than any other laptop I worked on.
Can you help me to replace the keyboard?

You are correct. Your Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop built a little different than most other laptops.

In order to remove and replace the keyboard, you’ll have to remove the palm rest assembly first.

Take a look at this service manual for Dell Studio XPS 16 series laptop. The manual has step by step laptop disassembly instructions.

If you need a new keyboard, you will find it here. A new keyboard for this model is less than $30.

I have a new Toshiba Satellite P505 laptop and the Num Lock stopped working without any reason. Number key pad stopped working completely. Do you know what’s going on?

Enter the BIOS setup menu and check the BIOS version installed on your laptop. I just looked though the BIOS change history for a Satellite P505 and apparently Toshiba fixed this issue with the latest BIOS update.

It doesn’t say what was wrong but in the listed fixes for the version 1.60 it says: “Fixed: NUM Lock key check problem.”

Download the latest BIOS update available for your laptop from the Toshiba website. Try updating the BIOS to the latest version. Let me know if updating the BIOS fixes your Num Lock problem.

I replaced my key on my Dell Laptop. Now I can’t get it to work but all the other keys are fine. Would should I do?

Remove the key cap and press directly on the rubber nipple found under the key. Does it work this way? Will it type the letter when you press on the nipple? If it doesn’t work, most likely you’ll have to replace the keyboard.

All of a sudden the keys will only work if I press and hold them and it also makes a beeping noise – I think a combination of keys have been pressed. Any idea which keys I have pressed and how to disable this?

It looks like you have “Turn on filter keys” function enabled.
Here’s how to disable it in Vista.
1. Go to the Control Panel.
2. Click on Ease of Access Center.
3. Click on Make the keyboard easier to use.
4. Uncheck Turn on Filter Keys.

My cat tore the button off the key pad while trying to put it back on I broke the little metal tab that holds the key down. Do I have to buy a whole keyboard or can I just replace that one metal bracket.

If you are talking about the metal tab located under the key then you’ll have to replace the whole keyboard. The key will not stay in place if one of the metal tabs is broken.

When one of the keyboard keys gets disattached, you can install it back on the keyboard using these keyboard repair instructions.

I have a dead diagonal row of keys on my Toshiba Tecra laptop keyboard. It is the 4 r f v keys.
I just installed a new keyboard and the problem persists to my dismay!!
So if it isn’t the keyboard what can I do to fix it?

First of all, try cleaning pins inside the keyboard connector on the system board. Spray pins with a connector cleaning solution. You can find this solution in a local electronic store. It’s possible that some pins oxidized and the keyboard cable is not making good connection with the system board. I use ProGold connector enhancer.

If cleaning the connector doesn’t help, most likely there is a problem with the keyboard controller on the system board. If that’s the case, you’ll have to replace the system board.

I have an HP Pavilion dv6000 laptop and my “Y” key doesn’t work. Sometimes when I push the “T” key it will type a “Y” with it and act as if the “Y” key is stuck down and results in a “YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY…” any idea as to why this is happening and if so how do I fix it?

Most likely this is keyboard related problem and the keyboard has to be replaced. You can replace the keyboard on a HP Pavilion dv6000 laptop if follow these disassembly instructions.

You can find a new replacement keyboard if you Google the part number from the bottom side of the original (defective) keyboard.

The keyboard part number will look something like that 431414-001 or 431416-001.

I have a problem with the keyboard on my laptop.

The following keys do not work:

3,e,d,c
note: these keys are diagonally in a row,

I’m not sure if that means it is is problem with the keyboard itself , or the controller.

Any idea ?

I’ve managed to remove and refit the keyboard and he problem persists, so it isn’t just a loose connection.

I’ve seen this problem before. When keys seated diagonally in a row stop working, most likely it is the keyboard related problem.

My laptop has a 2 mouse pointers. One is a touchpad and the other is the red button in the center of the keyboard.
My problem is that the mouse keeps moving on its own. If i try using either of the 2 it still moves all over the screen. I have a Compaq EVO N610c laptop.

I think your mouse keeps moving on its own because there is a problem with the pointer (red button) on the keyboard. Apparently it’s broken and causing the mouse to move on it’s own. You’ll have to replace the keyboard.
Here’s how you can confirm if the problem is related to the red button. You can unplug the laptop keyboard from the motherboard and use the laptop with an external USB keyboard and touchpad. Most likely the mouse will not be moving on its own when the laptop keyboard is unplugged.

I don’t see anything addressing a Gateway notebook. My kids popped off and broke several keys on the keyboard, so I am planning on purchasing one from eBay and am wondering if the process would be the same to replace it as your suggestions have been on this site. Thanks for the help!

If you want to replace individual keyboard keys, you’ll find help in this article. If you want to replace the whole keyboard, continue reading here.
I hope it helps.