Samsung NC10 PgDn Key Not Working!

RastaManBob · 8 Nov 2011 at 22:34

I have noticed this evening that my Samsung NC10 PgDn key is not working. I assume it is recent as I tend to use the key without realising but noticed immediately it did not work today...

I have carefully pulled the key from the keyboard, expecting to find an obstruction (a crumb, etc) but there was nothing there. I use a soft bristle toothbrush to carefully wipe around the area and I still get nothing from it.

All other keys, including those in the immediate area, work perfectly fine. The 'feel' of the PgDn key is okay, though that will be mainly the rubber/silicon pad under the key I suspect. I would imagine this to be hardware fault as all other keys work and the PgDn key works in applications by using the on-screen keyboard.

Does anybody have any recommendations or common fixes for this sort of thing, short of replacing the entire keyboard (which may, in itself, not be viable). I am not aware of any spillages, etc, on the keyboard, it seems to have happened out of the blue.

Any advice? Thanks!

Buchanan0204 · 9 Nov 2011 at 00:52

Just replace the keyboard. They're less than 20 quid. Easiest way. It will also give you that new laptop typing feeling again.

These things happen.

Purgatory · 9 Nov 2011 at 01:06

I have a key dead on my laptop too, I did the same took the key apart and no dirt, cleaned it and still nothing, then I took the whole keybaord out of the laptop only to realise it is a sealed unit grrr and would cost £75+ to replace, thank god it was only 1 key and was the number 5 on the top row and I can still use the number pad to get 5 but can't get % unless I use Character Map or map the key to another key, or plug in a usb keyboard. I think the circuit under that key has cracked and stopped it working.

Buchanan0204 · 9 Nov 2011 at 04:22

The only sealed unit I know if is the Macbooks. The NC10 isn't a sealed unit. So your in luck.

They're quite tricky to get into when you don't know what your doing. What was your old laptop with the sealed keyboard?

RastaManBob · 9 Nov 2011 at 11:25

Buchanan0204 said:
Just replace the keyboard. They're less than 20 quid. Easiest way. It will also give you that new laptop typing feeling again.

These things happen.

I cannot even find one for £20, let alone less than £20. I would require a black UK keyboard and it's looking difficult to get for that sort of money. Without breaking any rules I'd be thrilled if you could let me know where I could source one.

Thanks.

DogsBody · 9 Nov 2011 at 12:41

Get a white one. swap all the keys over.

Ball ache but will serve the purpose you want it to.

Purgatory · 9 Nov 2011 at 16:31

Buchanan0204 said:
What was your old laptop with the sealed keyboard?

Sony Vaio

Buchanan0204 · 9 Nov 2011 at 22:47

RastaManBob said:
I cannot even find one for £20, let alone less than £20. I would require a black UK keyboard and it's looking difficult to get for that sort of money. Without breaking any rules I'd be thrilled if you could let me know where I could source one.

Thanks.

£12.99.

Google this.

"NEW Keyboard For SAMSUNG NC-10 NP-NC10 Series Black"

I'm sure you can find it.

Buchanan0204 · 9 Nov 2011 at 22:48

Purgatory said:
Sony Vaio

Never came across a Sony where the keyboard can't be replaced. Maybe it just appeared to be a sealed unit.

There's always screws underneath the laptop with a little KB icon next to the screw. This releases it. You often also have to take off the plastic surrounding it. This clips off after a few more screws from the corners are taken off.

It's very annoying at first. However after a few, it's easy peasy.

Purgatory · 10 Nov 2011 at 00:46

It can be replaced, what I meant was once removing the keyboard you can't get into it, it has a metal plate that is riveted to it that stops you cracking it open to repair it. I was hoping it had screws on it or a way of sliding a credit card or something at the sides for it to come apart, but cracking it open will break it to the point it will never go back together again, it is a sealed unit the keyboard. The whole keyboard once unscrewed comes out as one unit for easy replacement or to access the components under it.

RastaManBob · 10 Nov 2011 at 07:47

Buchanan0204 said:
£12.99.

Google this.

"NEW Keyboard For SAMSUNG NC-10 NP-NC10 Series Black"

I'm sure you can find it.

Thanks for the reply. Looks good but (a) wonder if it's really genuine (I am not *too* fussed about that and that alone would not be an issue; and (b) "Layout: US (Compatible with UK Layout)"... I was hoping for a 100% straight swap. Sure, I could change the keyboard settings in Windows to US and just deal with the layout difference but otherwise there are some significant changes (size of the enter key for starters).

At £12.99 I'd definitely replace the keyboard 'just because', but I think the layout change is worse than a single PgDn key not functioning. If any more keys develop a problem then I might have to consider it.

I don't suppose UK keyboards are available so cheaply?

EDIT: Found a used one on the same site for £17. Not sure about used - who knows how it's been treated it's entire life... could be near to going wrong itself - but new seem considerably more expensive. Why is black to more expensive than white? Grr!

deusexlumina · 10 Nov 2011 at 08:11

off topic, but are you actually using that machine in your sig? if so, bravo.

Yeah sounds like the keyboard needs to be changed tbh, it will be worth it in the long run as if one key has gone more may follow.

Buchanan0204 · 10 Nov 2011 at 22:10

It is 100% genuine. Check the feedback. That's not fake.

RastaManBob · 12 Nov 2011 at 09:46

I fancy boys said:
off topic, but are you actually using that machine in your sig? if so, bravo.

I was using it until a year and a few months ago. Unfortunately it died beyond economical repair. Luckily this was the at the time when moving in with my partner so I was not too fussed... We used her (equally dated) PC. That has now also bitten the dust and so I'm left with an old desktop that turns itself off randomly and the NC10 with a broken key. Think I need to treat myself to some new hardware

.

Buchanan0204 said:
It is 100% genuine. Check the feedback. That's not fake.

Indeed, shame it's US though. It'd mean having to use the US keyboard layout in Windows and 'deal' with the differences. I'd rather not, if possible. At the moment I'd rather do without PgDn than use the US layout. I'm still considering the used UK one (assuming it is still available [EDIT: It has been sold]) but I'm concerned of the use it may have had in the past and how long it might be until that also breaks (considering I know how this one has been treated so well and still gone flaky).