[tonytorode]

I have a advent l7300 laptop and several keys don't work. I don't know if it is because my daughter downloaded a key locking programme or if the keyboard is damaged. She deleted the programme but never uninstalled it. She then re-partitioned and formatted the hard-drve and put the operating system back but the keyboard has lost letters, c, v,e,etc. Is there anywhere a second-hand or new keyboard can be purchased? I have tried the advent website and asus to and several parts sites to no avail. Thanks, tony.

[ScottGem]

Laptops tend to be very proprietary. The only place you are likely to find a replacement keyboard is from the manufacturer. Since the machine has been reformatted, I doubt if the problem is the key locker. Are the problem keys all near each other. I had a problem with my Dell laptop where the 7,8,you,I,j,k,m,< keys would not work. If you look at a keyboard you see these keys are all together. This indicates a hardware problem. You can use an external keyboard, but that negates the value as a laptop.

[hr]
I just read Fred's answer and must disagree. If you can find the mfg or someone who has a compatible keyboard it will not be as expensive to replace as to buy a new machine. Not even close. Replacing the monitor yes, not the keyboard. The problem is you need to find the right keyboard. And that may be difficult.

[fredg]

Hi,
Generally, it will cost as much to have a manufacturer to repair a keyboard on a laptop than just buy a new laptop; if it is not under warranty.

You can use a keyboard from another computer, by simply plugging it into the back of the laptop.

That is probably the only way to use the laptop.

I wish you the best,
Fredg

[borg-matrix]

hey, mate. I just got my laptop back after having the keyboard replaced on my 7702. I repair them myself, but this one is insured, so I got them to do it because I couldn't find a keyboard anywhere. Truth is, I spilled a tiny bit of coffee on it, and lost about 7 letters. After having a look, this keyboard seemed a really fragile and delicate thing. I would have had to separate the membrane on the back from the rear keyboard panel. It wouldn't really take much to do damage to it, because it's a poor manufacturing standard. Anyway, after 3 weeks I got it back. There's no repair centres in dixons or PC world in ireland, so they got to post everything to england. A keylogger wouldn't be around after a format. Going through the supplier was the only hope I had of getting any advent parts, because their website don't offer much. I reckon there's been a spill on yours, and I couldn't think of any other way to repair it. Cheers, borg-matrix :cool: