The keyboard is an absolutely necessary element of any computer system, without which it is even impossible to imagine working at a computer. The failure of the keyboard does not just create significant inconvenience, but often makes it impossible even to simply boot the computer.
Fortunately, for a desktop system, an unexpectedly broken keyboard is the easiest to replace with a spare one (which you can ask for a while from friends or just buy, since the keyboard is not the most expensive component of a computer). The situation is more complicated with the laptop keyboard, which is not so easy to replace. However, in some cases, even an inexperienced user in electronics, with due care and accuracy, is able to repair the keyboard on his own. Consider the most common laptop keyboard malfunction associated with the ingress of liquids of various origins on it. In this case, it is necessary:
- Turn off the computer as soon as possible, disconnect the power supply, open the battery compartment, and remove the battery. Every second you hesitate is fraught with liquid seeping into the laptop, and a short circuit can turn the problem of repairing a keyboard into a problem of finding and buying a new laptop.
- Disconnect the keyboard carefully, rinse it with copious amounts of water (do not use any detergents, they can damage the insulation of the conductors and the conductive tracks themselves), dry, reconnect and check. Drying the keyboard should be done in a moderately warm place, away from open flames and direct sunlight, for at least 24 hours. Use a fan to speed up drying. Remember that the keyboard has a complex shape, and the absence of moisture on the surface does not mean that it has completely evaporated inside the keyboard as well.
- If the keyboard still does not work completely or partially, there is still a chance to fix the keyboard. To do this, you will need to restore the conductive tracks. This can be done with conductive paint. If it was not in the computer showroom, go to an auto supply store and ask for a liquid for repairing threads for heating the rear window, it is quite suitable.
- Before disassembling the keyboard, take a photo or photocopy of the layout of the keys.
- Removing the keys is convenient with a dental hook, although a thin watch screwdriver will do. Remove all keys.
- Remove the elevators that hold the keys. This is easier to do because now all connections are in plain sight. This will open access to the polyethylene boards located on the aluminum substrate, on which the conductive paths are applied. If stuck together, use a hair dryer to heat up and separate neatly.
- Run the paint over the damaged tracks. Dry the keyboard, reassemble in reverse order and test its operation.
