Pavilion notebook N5425 keyboard problem with GH, Backspace not working

[roc383]

Does anyone know if this procedure works for the Pavilion ZE5200 series? I cant tell from the pictures if the connector is the same as mine. Anyway, I went through the procedure and it hasnt seemed to help any. My problem extends beyond the G,H,Backspace, too. It can be any key at any time that does work. Im about to order a new keyboard but dont know if that is the right move or not. Any thoughts?

[LisaWhatchamacallit]

Everyday I wake up wondering which key will not work that day. I have had this HP notebook 4 months. It stopped working altogether and had to be sent to HP for service last month. HP replaced the motherboard. Ever since there is always at least one key that does not work.

[harpistic]

i received a hp pavilion n5340 back in june or july, after the laptop i was using at the time was stolen, and ever since, the *whole* top row (excluding t and y) regularly stops working (eg, five times yesterday, three times yesterday, and the two and a half days i brought it into work).

till now, the only fix i've managed to find is to thump the keyboard hard - but i'm getting nervous as i've already managed to break the hard disk once.

the original owner of this laptop (Win ME sticker, runs XP, major virtual memory shortage and IE allergy) swears blind that he's never had any problems, but i'm relieved that this is a general problem - hopefully the solutions mentioned on here might mean the current hard disk gets to live a little longer.

[Inderjeet Singh Phull]

Hi Harpistic,

Welcome to the Forums!
You could also ask this one over in the notebook PCs - pavilions Category:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/bizsupport/categoryhome.do?categoryId=411

The experts there will have some suggestions for you,
Hope this helps,

Regards,
Inderjeet Singh Phull

[vsingh]

I tout I was te only one avin tis problem. I ope some one from p reds is and finds out te pain teir laptops are

[damara]

It's a connector problem. You have to take the screen off, remove the keyboard, and better assemble the connector to the motherboard. http://schwinger.harvard.edu/~motl/hp-keyboard/index-classical.html

Go here for detailed instructions or do a google search - fixing the keyboard of Hewlett Packard laptop.

Sorry to repeat if someone has already passed on this info. Now, if I could just figure out how to fix the power supply.

[B.e.n]

Hi,
I recently purchased an nx6125 notebook and keys x s w 2 f5 f6 f7 f8 ect. are all dead in the same manner as described in all the previous messages.

Can anybody confirm --maybe a hp authority-- that the ?FPC? connector really is the sole problem.

My keyboard does flex more than I would believe is normal.
My notebook with its AMD Turion64 does get hot, to hot to be called a laptop.

Thank You.

[Mike_902]

Jim,
See my and Mirko's solution back in May 05.
Mike

[damara]

The keys that didn't work on mine were HG, backspace and one of the function keys. I have a pavillion N5495. I agree with the post in May 05 by Mike. The link in my last post has detailed instructions and pictures on how to fix the problem. My notebook keyboard has been in proper working order for about a month now after doing this little fix on it.

[Mike_902]

I'm glad the trick helped. Can't take credit for it, though, as I got it off a site I found when I googled the problem.

[vsingh]

This is fantastic.. After following the tips on the website every thing works great for me......
Thanks a lot

[MMJ]

I just wanted to say I have this problem, too, but I have to agree with an earlier poster: I bought this laptop in Nov 2001, and the problem didn't show up until 2006.

[d w_2]

Chiming in to say I also have same problem with my n5135 Pavilion laptop. Will try the May '05 fix....

In case anyone is trying to determine what our machines have in common in case that would help find the cause, my old clunker has upgraded hdd, cpu and cd-rom(now dl dvd burner); W2K (came w/WinMe)and increased memory.


As to HP not responding, I have two theories:
Customer service is the same at HP as most other companies: it's cut way back due to cost reductions. And besides, you WERE a customer but there's no money in helping you now.
Second, if there's a generalized problem, they may not want to own up to it b/c it could become a liablility.

Fortunately, we have the forums, and am thankful to HP for that.

[d w_2]

OK, got it fixed (for now).

First, what had *NO* effect:
I pulled, cleaned contacts, and re-seated the modem, memory chips, and battery. Started it up, but have *same* problem.

*It worked* after I pulled the keyboard, then cleaned and re-seated its connector. (BTW, keyboard was NOT bent; it was as flat as can be). Started it up, keys work!


keyboard is
model: mp-99883us-698
p/n: pk1332n1000
vendor: chicony
wk 041
rev 00
_______________________________________
mobo: Hewlett-Packard OmniBook N32N-733

System/model identifies as: XE3 GC (but the outside of laptop is printed "Pavilion N5135")

mobo chipset: Intel 82440bx/zx
north bridge: Intel 82443bx/zx rev/stepping 03/c1
south bridge: 82371eb piix4e rev/stepping 02/a0

[shazzer]

hi i bought a brand new laptop 1st april 09 i cannot use the g and h or backspace buttons (im using my daughter's lappy at the min)does anyone no whats wrong with it ???? its driving me mad.i dont wanna take it back 2 shop just yet incase there's a simple solution.

[pourang]

It seems it's a mechanical problem caused by keyboard bending down at the center (where the keys G and H are located).

I opened the laptop, took the keyboard out and bent it SLIGHTLY upwards at the center. Before reinserting the keyboard I put a plastic card of 1mm thickness on the hard disk (where the keyboard center is located) to keep the upwards push on the keyboard. So far it's working.

[Ricardo Vallada]

I had the same issue with my N5495. Some other letters started failing once ih a while as well.
A took the cover above the keyboard, than I could see the screws that holded the keyboard. I took them off, and moved off the keyboard. The connecting flat cable had a fold. So I taped a rigid plastic on that fold to make it flat again. When I placed the beyboard back again, so it made a new fold on taht cable.
When I turned the computer on again, the keyboard started to work properly again.
Hopefuly it is fixed.

[edisnoab]

OK. Guys. Figured out the problem. It is not a bent metal back nor a bios problem. The root of the problem is the contact of the keyboard to the motherboard socket. You may buy a new keyboard and it should do the trick. However, I tried something else to save some $$$. I cut a very small portion of the keyboard ribbon and reinsert it to the motherboard socket. To test wheather your ribbon is bad, hold the end of it a light and see if there is gaps between each contact. Becareful not to cut too much and cut evenly. Again try at your own risk, but if your planning a replacement keyboard, why not try this first.