Pavilion notebook N5425 keyboard problem with GH, Backspace not working

[Jim Heath_1]

Does anyone know what could be causing the G,H, and the Backspace on the keyboard not working at times. Terrible problem.

[Bryan Eley]

Interesting. Someone else with the same system seems to be having the same problem:
http://www.techimo.com/forum/t61369.html

To wit:javascript:postAnswerSubmit('submit');
"Erratic problem on my friend's laptop... the G, H, Backspace keys SOMETIMES don't work on her HP Pavilion N5425. She swears she never eats or drinks near the thing...

HP support tells her:

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before beginning, disconnect the AC Adapter and then remove the battery.

1. Reseat the memory (RAM).
2. Reseat the modem; it is under the floppy drive.
3. While the power is still disconnected, hold the system reset for
about 30 seconds. The small reset hole is on the left side of the notebook
4. If the keys are still not responding, go into diagnostics and run
the advanced test on the keyboard.
* If the test passed, uninstall the keyboard drivers, then
restore or recover the system.

* If the test failed, then the notebook needs to be serviced."

I'm not sure how helpful this info might be, Jim, but it is strange that the identical keys on someone else's N5245 show the same problem as you.

[Jim Heath_1]

I know, if she is having the same problem then it is not a dirty keyboard. It only happens every now and then. Then it goes away and works fine. I dont eat or drink around mine either.

Jim

[Pat]

Jim,

Occasionally when typing, I find the keys won't function on my Pavilion a600y. When I reset the cursor I can then type.

Pat

[Tim Dahlke-Baumann]

Yep, this is a known problem "G", "H", "Backspace" (this occurred 3 years ago on my 5195) and they replaced the keyboard (or so I was told).

Guess what? It just broke again last night. I've been pretty disappointed with the number of failures (2 bad batteries, bad power supply, bad keyboard ). I almost had the 4 failures needed to get BestBuy to give me a new one (their sevice plan) but the power supply didn't count for their lemon plan :(

I'm used to using HP oscilliscopes and other test equipment -- their notebook quality doesn't deserve the hp name.

[james_466]

i got same problem with yours .
my notebook is pavilion N5495
the key [g h 'and bksp]does not work

how do i solve the problem,i have tried
you said above , still does not work.

[John Moran_2]

I ave te same problem wit my PavilionN5495. Are you usin W2K or XP?

enerally, I use te accesory keyboard. But I typed like t is for effect.

Are t e new Ps any better?

JackBoston

[Mike_902]

HP N5430 here, bought in late 2001 with same problem: G H and backspace keys. I whack the G and H keys for a while pretty hard and they start working again. Obviously not the right technical solution. I hope someone from HP can confess to the actual problem and fix it for us...

[Sazkin]

I have been having the same problems with my keyboard on my N5495 laptop. The following keys do not respond: G, H, BackSpace, F4 (and a few others, like F8).

This is what I normally do when the keys fail:

1) Open Notepad and type in a few random characters.

2) With the screen open, I tilt my laptop at about 45 degrees and press (give pressure to) the laptop at the base with both hands and at the same time I keep the BackSpace key pressed continuously, until the BackSpace key starts working and starts deleteing the characters typed in Notepad.

3) With the laptop still tilted and the BackSpace key now working, I press the H or G key and while either of thosee keys is pressed, I slowly start decreasing the angle of the laptop tilt, till the base is laying back on the desk. Make sure either key is pressed while getting the base back on the desk completely.

NOTE: There are times, while decreasing the angle after having the keys work, the keys might stop working again. In this case, repeat process - increase the tilt and start pressing.

It works for me, frustrates me, and sometimes hurts the fingers by too much pressing, but its the only solution I could find so far.

The reason why this happens normally is:
The metal base of the keyboard (not the laptop), gets bent after a while of use (due to key banging), usually at the center. Hence the G and H keys go bad. One remedy (not recommended) is to take the keyboard out and bend it back a bit from the center. My friend did this to his HP Pavilion ZE1150 series and his works fine now. Another solution is to replace the keyboard (usually cost around $15-$20). Have some techie friend do it for you.

I am going to try what the HP support guy suggested, though I doubt that will fix this issue. It seems to be more of a hardware failure than software (driver) issue.

This thing is really frustrating and at times makes me want to buy a new laptop. But other than this gripe, the laptop has been great so far. Original hard drive still running, although slow now (at 4200RPM), battery is fine. Monitor hinge contacts seem a bit loose but its not a major issue. At certain screen angles, the monitor blinks. So for 1200$ and 3 yrs still running, this was good buy for me.

Good luck.

[Mirko_8]

I've the same problem [g,h,bkspace,F4..] with 2 omnibook xe3-gc.
I've disassembled them interely but unfruitfully.
Now I'm going to try to bend the keyboard as suggested....if it works I'll tell you.

In my opinion it's a bios problem...but to try doesn't cost a thing!

Mirko

[Aziz Abdelali]

Same problem with HP 5445. And it is not fun when you admin password has a G or H in it. Not fun at all.

[Mirko_8]

I know...same happened to me.
Still no solution found to make the keyboard working.
I would be pleased by an answer from HP technician...

Mirko

[Chris_789]

I have taken the keyboard off,not difficult,(remove the 2 screws on the screen hinge, unsnap the front plate above the keyboard and remove the 4 screws holding in the keyboard), disconnected it from the board, and just used a can of air to clean the connection...this usually takes care of the exact same problem for me for about 4 months. if i dont do it, i start to loose more keys and eventually loose the entire top row....but they all start with g,h,' and bkspce. let me know if this has helped

[Mirko_8]

I've disassembled the notebook from keyboard to motherboard, I've claned the keyboard contacts with a contact degreaser, I've followed the instruction from HP technician..but still the keyboard is not working....

Mirko

[Mike_902]

Ok, folks, here is the solution: Open up the keyboard using the directions already posted somewhere (remove back screws, then remove button cover plate, remove screws holding keyboard in place). Pull the keyboard out and reseat the keyboard connector at the interface (this is the thin rectangular flexible connector the keyboard is attached to). You MUST remove and reseat the connector firmly for this to work. It's easy to remove, it has a couple of pressure tabs to squeeze on when removing, if my memory serves me correctly. Put it all back together and bingo, problem solved. BUT this is the third time I've had to open up the computer to fix a problem, therefore will never buy another HP laptop again. Sorry to all those folks who had to pay or struggle with retail stores, etc. Pass it on!!!

[Mirko_8]

Mike your idea was useful to find a more complete solution!Yes the problem is in the cable plug, but not in the cable inside the plug, but in the plug itself. Infact termal deformation seems to be occurred during years of use. The proof is that, in my notebook( but I think it's general) with the computer turned on and the keyboard plugged but opened, pushing on the back-left side of the plug to the front direction (viewing the notebook from front), cause the keyboard to work! Stop pushing cause the keyboard to fail...just like an interruptor. So I've put a plastic tube between the plug and PCMCIA metal case to keep pushing the plug, and now the notebook works!So at the end a SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE FOUND!!!
See attached photo.

Just one more thing, last but not least: Thermal stress and parameter of the plastic used in making the plug is surely known to the HP keyboard provider, and HP should test it. I don't know if it was known to HP or not, but this problem ,that affected many people's notebook, is not a "quality sign", for sure!!
I'll never buy another HP product.

[Mirko_8]

I have to correct my previous message. The problem is not in the keyboard plug, but in the plug on the motherboard. Infact by tightening with pliers the plug present on the motherboard the problem is resolved. But this solution won't last, because temperature will stress the plastic material again.

Mirko

[marco farina]

The same problem occurred to me...Started slowly, presenting seldom and in 6 months become really impossible to use the laptop without an external keyboard.I changed the hard disk (secondary to an hard disk problem) so manipulating the keyboard (That is mounted on it) and I had to reinstall the system. Problem fixed (I Thought secondary to the reinstallation...) maybe moving something on the keyboard cables. After 6 months the problem started again. I tried to upgrade bios (no results). I made the Ediag tool advanced test discovering that the keys not working are (Italian Keyboard): G, H, à, Backspace, ESC, Windows key, two Function keys I don't remeber).
- Is there a "common route" in so far keys cables?
- Is it possible tinking to a temperature problem...if it was "spontaneously" fixed for six months...? (normally I use the notebook for many hours a day, and I don't find a possible relation since the problem never happened after reinstalling the system...)
I Think a solution from HP service is really needed!

[Mirko_8]

Ciao Marco.
It IS A TEMPERATURE PROBLEM.

Open your notebook and tight the keyboard plug on the motherboard with pliers.

in italian:
io ho 2 notebook hp che hanno avuto il medesimo problema, e l'ho risolto così: apri il notebook, stacca il cavo della tastiera e usa una pinza (piccola) per stringere un pò la presa femmina sulla scheda madre. col calore si è allargata e alcuni contatti non funzionano più. Occhio a non romperla! Non che sia facile romperla...ma te lo dico per sicurezza.
ciao

[Jason_448]

I do not know what could be causing the problem with your g and h keys, but I just watched my friend solve the problem on his computer.
First he started bitching about how the g,h and backspace keys would not work, then he proceeded to slam his fists into the keyboard. He then picked up the computer threw it on the ground and began ranting and raving about what a piece of junk hp computers are. (This I had to agree with, Im a diehard compac fan).
Anyways moving on, my friend picked up the computer smacked it on the table a few times,
might I add with it open and the power on.
I finally got Barthalumue to calm down and guess what? The piece of junk worked and yes the keys worked and everything is spectacular.
I hope that this story helps you in someway
Later

[PillowBandit]

I recently encountered this same problem. I found out how to fix this. First press every button one at a time from left to right all the way down your keppad starting at the top with esc. Once you complete this.. restart your computer 7 times... not 6... not 8... but 7... then close and open your screen 18.3 times. After this..control your cursor and make the pointer do 32 small circles. Once this is complete. Shut down your computer and restart it in safe mode. Then enter 1 slice of bologna into the cdrom drive. cross your fingers. Hold your breath... and the promlem is gone... hope this helps fella... -ry

[Mike Cross_2]

I have an HP Pavillion zd1000 series laptop with the same G,H backspace problems. I removed the keyboard looking for the loose mother board connection as stated by Mirko, but mine has nothing to tighten. I did notice, however, two metal contact points that touch the back of the keyboard that seemed pretty oxidized. (This may explain why putting pressure on the lower part of the computer helps.) So I don't know whether simply unplugging and reconnecting the keyboard, or cleaning the contacts was the answer but I'm back in business!
(We'll see for how long)

[Lubos Motl]

Detailed pictures to replace the connector and fix g,h,backspace problems are here:

http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/hp-keyboard/

[Cherise Pais]

Ive been having the same problem w/ my hp pavilion N5450 laptop. G,H, Backspace, Apostrophe, F4 not working at times. Tried solution from harvard website:
http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/hp-keyboard/index-classical.html
This got it working for about 1.5 weeks, then it stopped, and sometimes now even most of the top row doesnt work. HUGE PAIN! Will probably just buy a new laptop. Does anybody know if newer hp laptops have fixed this problem or should I avoid hps altogether?

[Rara_1]

I just spent two hours cleaning my keyboard. The G, H, backspace,PLUS the windows key, down arrow key and the '/" key did not work. I took EVERYTHING apart (pain in the booty!) and soaked it in hot water. I cleaned the plastic contact membrane w/alcohol and I JUST finished reassembling it NOW. I was actually looking for a pic of a HP keyboard to find where two of the last keys go. Remember to snap a quick pic of the keyboard before you disassemble. It is tedious, but it works and can be done.