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[Splinter]

Compaq DV3000 downgraded from Vista to XP.
I'm assuming the client formatted hdd as that's how it arrived, just the xp install sp2, no drivers installed.
Initially the system alarm kept going off with random loud beeps at post and in Windows.
I installed all necessary drivers and the 'alarm' sound now only comes at post. Pressing a key makes the sound go away and it boots normally.
Now there are 'event'sounds at every click and upside down are appearing in browser and dialogue boxes ad infinitum.
Flashed the bios as this was deemed necessary by Compaq (to fix poss mem problem) yet the problem persists.
I suspected a sticky key, but have cleaned the keyboard wirh air with no change.
It's a very nice machine less than 12 months and well looked after and very clean.
Got me stumped this one. Surely a hardware issue?

[Wooster]

Knacked keyboard by the look of it.

It only takes ten minutes to remove the keyboard on most laptops, so I'd do that and boot with a USB keyboard attached.
If the problem goes away then you can safely say that it's the keyboard right enough and order a new one to install.
(A quick search show the replacements are only about £25)

[Splinter]

Has to be that mate. I'll give it a go.
Thanks

[Splinter]

Wooster mate, you're a genius!
It's taken me a while to figure out laptops, mainly because it appears a 'black art' like most things PC orientated, and it scared me at first.
I did what you suggested and yes, the usb keyboard worked perfectly.
Mew kbd then. Have to break the news to the lady now.
scuse typing, fingers not good.............but thanks

[Wooster]

Seen some where the keyboard ribbon/socket has contact issues and that's a mobo swap out if it's not making a contact. (unless you can get someone to do PCB component swaps)

..had that a few years ago where the client needed access to the laptop within the hour.
I had it in bits and then he told me that he had a conference call in 45 minutes to discuss a multi-million £ government contract with the NHS.

Talk about pressure..
I told him I'd be done in 40 minutes..it was in bits...honestly. (on a laptop I had never even seen before)*


Wrong!!
I forgot to attach the touchpad ribbon in the rush and had to strip it back down with 5 minutes on the clock.

What did I learn?
Take your time putting it back together and ignore the pressure.

(I managed it in under 5 minutes btw.. )



*Life of contractor: most of your time is spent fixing stuff you've never clapped eyes on before...to a deadline.

[Splinter]

This one is a ribbon with no plug. The ribbon simply gets inserted and locked in with two tiny securing latches.
I've located a spare, which I hope will solve the problem, but I have a nagging doubt.

[Wooster]

If the new keyboard doesn't work then you'll be able to tell her definitively what the problem is and break the bad news that she has the option of using an external keyboard only, or buying a new laptop.

[Splinter]

New keyboard works fine.
Success!

[Vasco]

 

[Splinter]

I felt really bad for the lady though. She was so polite and clearly upset. They had bought 2 identical laptops. She has twin sons of 30, one of whom has according to her, hands like a gorilla and the other is almost fanatical about his care and attention to posessions. The first laptop fell to pieces in the hands of the gorilla.
Obviously I couldn't take sides, but she was clearly pleased that I had solved her problem.
Looks like laptops are on the menu now.