Shooter's Dell Laptop 8ik,  

Keyboard Support Page

 

***NOTE: I am in the process of putting together a long overdue update to this page. Please check back in early June for the latest information. Thank you for all of your feedback! -- Shooter

 

Welcome to my Dell Latitude Laptop Keyboard Repair page. Here I describe my method of repairing my own personal Dell Latitude CPx laptop that had the dreaded 8ik, flaw.  Read on!

 

A Little Background Information

 

8ik, Flaw

There is a problem of unknown extent (to me) with some of Dell's notebook/laptop computers including the Latitude CP, CPi, CPx series of laptop.  Periodically or permanently a diagonal row of keys 8 i k , will stop functioning. For anyone that has been plagued by this error, it renders the laptop nearly useless as a standalone machine and necessitates the use of an external keyboard.

 

Dell's Repair Solution

Dell's solution for this problem when servicing these computers under warranty (and I suppose out of warranty if you could afford it) varied from adjusting the keyboard screws, reseating the keyboard cable, replacing the keyboard, replacing the main system board (motherboard). These repairs would generally work for a period of a few days to upwards of a year from the reading I have done on the topic. Given that this problem developed in a broad range of products that were produced over a number of years, and Dell's solution varied, it is clear that they are unaware of the exact problem or unwilling to admit it.

 

The Free Dell Suggestions

If you spend anytime on Dell's support website you will see that Dell has several free suggestions: 

 

 

The Shooter Solution

 

First the Disclaimers -- Please read carefully: 

  1. I am not currently and have never been affiliated with Dell other than as a (sometimes unhappy) customer. 

  2. Dell has not condoned this procedure in any way. 

  3. I am merely sharing my own non-expert, non-professional experiences in attempting to repair my own 8ik, flawed Dell Latitude CPx notebook. 

  4. I am not responsible for anything that you do to yourself or any other person or your computer as a result of reading my experiences.

 

 

Step 1: The tools

The tools I used were: 

  1. A small Phillips screwdriver that fits the Keyboard screws on the bottom of the laptop -- the keyboard screws are labeled with a 'K' 

  2. A small flat head screw driver 

  3. A drill 

  4. An extra set of hands -- I found it much easier to do this with an assistant, though I could have done this alone.

  5. Patience -- I took my time and worked carefully.

 

Step 2: Power 'er Down

I first turned the computer totally off (shut down in windows). I then removed the battery and the AC adapter so there was no power to the laptop.

 

Step 3: Open 'er Up

I turned the computer over and found the 8 or so keyboard screws -- they are labeled with a "K". I removed these while my assistant held the keyboard in place. If the keyboard had not been held when all of the screws were removed, the weight of the keyboard would have rested on the thin ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard possibly causing irreversible damage. (I could also have removed these with the screen closed, but I didn't need to as I had an assistant). Once the screws were removed, I turned the laptop back over. With the laptop resting normally I pulled the keyboard up, I had to very gently pry the keyboard to get it to come loose. The keyboard is connected to the main system board with a short ribbon cable so it can only be moved a few inches.

 

Step 3b:  Test -- Don't try this!

At this point I plugged the AC adapter back into my computer to make sure the keyboard worked properly when it was not screwed into the computer.  I booted the computer and sure enough the 8 i k and , keys all worked flawlessly.  I powered off and unplugged the AC Adapter before continuing to the next step.  That said, I would strongly advise against doing this.  Powering up a disassembled computer could cause shorting or some other unforeseen permanent damage.

 

Step 4: Locate the Culprit

With the keyboard moved as far to the left as it will go without removing the ribbon cable, the Culprit becomes visible.  Notice the metal cage that covers the processor.  On this metal cage there is a small raised bump.  This bump appears to me to be a machining point which appears to serve no functional purpose.  It does however serve a dysfunctional purpose, it impacts the backside of the keyboard in the area behind the 'K' key.  In my computer this bump had actually started to wear a hole through the back side of the keyboard.  This is the Culprit.

 

Step 5: Remove the Cage

The cage is held in place by four (?) small Phillips screws.  I carefully removed these screws, it is best to work with non-magnetic tools when working on a computer. Non-magnetized screwdrivers are widely available for working on electronics, though I did not have one at the time of this repair.  Instead I made sure my screwdriver was not magnetized.  Once the screws were removed, I lifted the cage from the motherboard.

 

Step 6:  Drill the Bump

With the cage removed, I went and found a drill bit that matched the size of the existing holes in the cage (it was approximately 1/8", but at this point I can't remember the precise size -- I will update when I know for sure).  I then carefully drilled the Bump from the underside.  It appears to be made of aluminum, though I am not sure about this.  It is very thin and only took about two seconds to drill.  The drilling creates a hole where the Bump had been.

 

Step 7:  Reassemble

Assembly is in the reverse order, first I installed the modified cage with the four tiny Phillips screws.  Next, I carefully positioned the keyboard into it's proper place.  I was Very careful not to crimp the ribbon cable that connects the keyboard to the motherboard.  Lastly, I reinstalled the Keyboard screws, tightening gently.

 

Results

The entire process took less than an hour and the results speak for themselves.  Since the procedure I have not had any problems with 8ik, keys where before the procedure, these keys had been non-functional for months.

 

Contact Shooter

If you found this information helpful or you would like to share your experience with Dell's Laptop keyboard problems, I would love to hear from you!

Please email me:  shooter100k @ yahoo dot com (email address altered to prevent robot spammers -- remove all spaces and translate the yahoo.com portion).  

I may ask you for permission to use your comments on this page.

 

Update: October 2003

I wanted to post an update to let visitors know that my Dell Latitude Keyboard is still working 100% since the modification and I haven't had any unexpected side effects. Good Luck!

 

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