Dell Inspiron Keyboard

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Re: [SLE] help/advice with setting...

James David Jacobs

16 Apr 2006 16 Apr '06

02:26

I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey. Any idea how to get these keys to work? Jim Jacobs

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James Knott

16 Apr 16 Apr

10:14

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

James David Jacobs wrote:

...

I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work?

It sounds like you may have a hardware failure. Can you plug in a regular keyboard, to see if those keys work?

Kevanf1

11:42

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

On 16/04/06, James Knott wrote:

...

James David Jacobs wrote:

...
I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work?

It sounds like you may have a hardware failure. Can you plug in a regular keyboard, to see if those keys work?

Or, try the keyboard on another PC? Just in case it is the keyboard that is at fault. It may just need cleaning which is 'usually' an easy enough job with some cotton buds and some ethyl alcohol. -- ============================================== I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate. ============================================== Xmas may be over but, PLEASE DON'T drink and drive you'll make it to the next one that way. Kevan Farmer Linux user #373362 Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR

James Knott

11:48

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

Kevanf1 wrote:

...

On 16/04/06, James Knott wrote:

...
James David Jacobs wrote:

...
I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work? It sounds like you may have a hardware failure. Can you plug in a regular keyboard, to see if those keys work?

Or, try the keyboard on another PC? Just in case it is the keyboard that is at fault. It may just need cleaning which is 'usually' an easy enough job with some cotton buds and some ethyl alcohol.

Since the keyboard is part of a laptop, it's a bit hard to move it to another computer. ;-) Also, given that more than one key is bad, it's unlikely caused by dirt, unless something was spilled on it. Keyboards are built on a matrix, with each key at an intersection of a row and column. Often one row or column will fail, causing all the keys along it to stop working. When that happens, the repair generally involves replacing the keyboard.

Per Kustemo

11:59

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

Have the same problem with mine, only some of the signs in alt gr works like the @ works and pipe not. On 4/16/06, James Knott wrote:

...

Kevanf1 wrote:

...
On 16/04/06, James Knott wrote:

...
James David Jacobs wrote:

...
I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work? It sounds like you may have a hardware failure. Can you plug in a regular keyboard, to see if those keys work?

Or, try the keyboard on another PC? Just in case it is the keyboard that is at fault. It may just need cleaning which is 'usually' an easy enough job with some cotton buds and some ethyl alcohol.

Since the keyboard is part of a laptop, it's a bit hard to move it to another computer. ;-)

Also, given that more than one key is bad, it's unlikely caused by dirt, unless something was spilled on it. Keyboards are built on a matrix, with each key at an intersection of a row and column. Often one row or column will fail, causing all the keys along it to stop working. When that happens, the repair generally involves replacing the keyboard.

Per Kustemo

18:02

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

Forgot to tell you that I have dual boot with XP as the other OS and there all the keys works ok. On 4/16/06, Per Kustemo wrote:

...

Have the same problem with mine, only some of the signs in alt gr works like the @ works and pipe not.

On 4/16/06, James Knott < james.knott@rogers.com> wrote:

...
...
On 16/04/06, James Knott < james.knott@rogers.com> wrote:

...
James David Jacobs wrote:

...
I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor

Kevanf1 wrote: the

...
...
...
right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work? It sounds like you may have a hardware failure. Can you plug in a regular keyboard, to see if those keys work?

Or, try the keyboard on another PC? Just in case it is the keyboard that is at fault. It may just need cleaning which is 'usually' an easy enough job with some cotton buds and some ethyl alcohol.

Since the keyboard is part of a laptop, it's a bit hard to move it to another computer. ;-)

Also, given that more than one key is bad, it's unlikely caused by dirt,

unless something was spilled on it. Keyboards are built on a matrix, with each key at an intersection of a row and column. Often one row or column will fail, causing all the keys along it to stop working. When that happens, the repair generally involves replacing the keyboard.

kai

20:40

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

On Sunday 16 April 2006 11:02 am, Per Kustemo wrote:

...

Forgot to tell you that I have dual boot with XP as the other OS and there all the keys works ok. <snip>

Can you grab a live DVD/CD of some other distribution and try that. Also - since I long deleted your original email - what keys are "bad"? I'm wondering if you have the keyboard setup to another country than your own. I know when I was in Germany the Z and Y keys were reversed as well as a few others when compared to my US keyboard. As somebody mentioned, you might also plug in another keyboard to see what it registers. Remember, that you might need a USB keyboard if your inspiron is like mine. (I only have USB, || and serial ports.) -- kai - www.perfectreign.com www.livebeans.com - the new NetBeans community 43...for those who require slightly more than the answer to life, the universe and everything.

Per Kustemo

21:22

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

Per Kustemo wrote: --------------------- Have the same problem with mine, only some of the signs in alt gr works like the @ works and pipe not. ----------------------- The settings for my keyboard is swedish :).... Thanks, I will try live cd :).... On 4/16/06, kai wrote:

...

...
Forgot to tell you that I have dual boot with XP as the other OS and

On Sunday 16 April 2006 11:02 am, Per Kustemo wrote: there

...
all the keys works ok. <snip>

Can you grab a live DVD/CD of some other distribution and try that.

Also - since I long deleted your original email - what keys are "bad"?

I'm wondering if you have the keyboard setup to another country than your own. I know when I was in Germany the Z and Y keys were reversed as well as a few others when compared to my US keyboard.

As somebody mentioned, you might also plug in another keyboard to see what it registers. Remember, that you might need a USB keyboard if your inspiron is like mine. (I only have USB, || and serial ports.)

-- kai - www.perfectreign.com www.livebeans.com - the new NetBeans community

43...for those who require slightly more than the answer to life, the universe and everything.

-- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com

kai

17 Apr 17 Apr

04:12

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

On Sunday 16 April 2006 02:22 pm, Per Kustemo wrote:

...

Per Kustemo wrote: --------------------- Have the same problem with mine, only some of the signs in alt gr works like the @ works and pipe not. -----------------------

The settings for my keyboard is swedish :)....

Well, than that would be my guess, from looking at the keyboard layout. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Swedish.2FFinnish If you're using KDE (and if your not, you should be) go to Geeko Menu > Control Center > Regional & Accessibility > Keyboard Layout. You should be able to set your keyboard layout there. I'm sure it isn't set to what it should be for your installation and country. -- k

Per Kustemo

09:00

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

:).....running Gnome but maby this will change that :).... On 4/17/06, kai wrote:

...

On Sunday 16 April 2006 02:22 pm, Per Kustemo wrote:

...
Per Kustemo wrote: --------------------- Have the same problem with mine, only some of the signs in alt gr works like the @ works and pipe not. -----------------------

The settings for my keyboard is swedish :)....

Well, than that would be my guess, from looking at the keyboard layout.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Swedish.2FFinnish

If you're using KDE (and if your not, you should be) go to Geeko Menu > Control Center > Regional & Accessibility > Keyboard Layout.

You should be able to set your keyboard layout there. I'm sure it isn't set to what it should be for your installation and country. -- k

-- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com

Per Kustemo

18 Apr 18 Apr

19:19

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

Logged in with KDE and the pipe sign works all ok without any changes, but not under Gnome.....will look further into this or change to KDE :).... On 4/17/06, kai wrote:

...

On Sunday 16 April 2006 02:22 pm, Per Kustemo wrote:

...
Per Kustemo wrote: --------------------- Have the same problem with mine, only some of the signs in alt gr works like the @ works and pipe not. -----------------------

The settings for my keyboard is swedish :)....

Well, than that would be my guess, from looking at the keyboard layout.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Swedish.2FFinnish

If you're using KDE (and if your not, you should be) go to Geeko Menu > Control Center > Regional & Accessibility > Keyboard Layout.

You should be able to set your keyboard layout there. I'm sure it isn't set to what it should be for your installation and country. -- k

-- Check the headers for your unsubscription address For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the archives at http://lists.suse.com Please read the FAQs: suse-linux-e-faq@suse.com

-- ******************************************************************************** This is Linux country, on a quiet night you can hear Windows Reboot. ******************************************************************************** The day Microsoft makes something that doesn't suck is probably the day they start making vacuum cleaners. ******************************************************************************** Your mouse has moved. Windows must be restarted for the change to take effect. Reboot now? [ OK ] ********************************************************************************

kai

19 Apr 19 Apr

03:49

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

On Tuesday 18 April 2006 12:19 pm, Per Kustemo wrote:

...

Logged in with KDE and the pipe sign works all ok without any changes, but not under Gnome...

No comment. :P

...

..will look further into this or change to KDE :)....

Well, Kool. As long as it is working for you now. I'm sure - in the case of GNOME - there's a similar Keyboard config. I just wouldn't have a clue what it is. -- k

Kevanf1

16 Apr 16 Apr

16:11

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

On 16/04/06, James Knott wrote:

...

Kevanf1 wrote:

...
On 16/04/06, James Knott wrote:

...
James David Jacobs wrote:

...
I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work? It sounds like you may have a hardware failure. Can you plug in a regular keyboard, to see if those keys work?

Or, try the keyboard on another PC? Just in case it is the keyboard that is at fault. It may just need cleaning which is 'usually' an easy enough job with some cotton buds and some ethyl alcohol.

Since the keyboard is part of a laptop, it's a bit hard to move it to another computer. ;-)

Also, given that more than one key is bad, it's unlikely caused by dirt, unless something was spilled on it. Keyboards are built on a matrix, with each key at an intersection of a row and column. Often one row or column will fail, causing all the keys along it to stop working. When that happens, the repair generally involves replacing the keyboard.

DOH! DOH! and DOH! again :-) My apologies. Why I did not see the word laptop I cannot tell you, but I did miss it. Anyway, It may still be dirt under the contacts. Is this a new laptop or one that you have got from somebody else? Is there any chance the something has perhaps been spilled on it? -- ============================================== I am only human, please forgive me if I make a mistake it is not deliberate. ============================================== Xmas may be over but, PLEASE DON'T drink and drive you'll make it to the next one that way. Kevan Farmer Linux user #373362 Cheslyn Hay Staffordshire WS6 7HR

jim barnes

12:16

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

On Saturday 15 April 2006 20:26, James David Jacobs wrote:

...

I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work?

Keyboards can be had for a reasonable amount from ebay sellers: http://tinyurl.com/okdnc -- Jim Barnes -- Certainly the game is rigged. Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet, you can't win. -Lazarus Long -- Linux 2.6.15-20-386

scsijon

23 Apr 23 Apr

09:30

New subject: [SLE] Dell Inspiron Keyboard

At 12:26 PM 16/04/2006, James David Jacobs wrote:

...

I have a Dell Inspiron 2100 Laptop. A number of keys do not work, either in a terminal or in KDE. For example, neither Alt key nor the right arrow work. None of these keys generate scan codes in Showkey.

Any idea how to get these keys to work?

1- check if the showkey version can handle two codes as return, some keys do, also scankey can show nonstandard codes, also some of these extra (such as alt) keys only work when using in combination with other keys, not by themselves, also some are hardwired and coded off the keyboard chip in notebooks. 2- check dell website for model and scancodes for the keyboard. 3- check that the keyboard link cables are properly inserted - through the dell technical website has a basic howto for most models to perform basic updating of ram etc and opening of unit (I take it it's not still under warrenty), keyboard covers and lockin screws removal is not usually hard so have a look, just don't use force to do anything and have a good magnifying glass. 4- check the keyboard iochip (*look at your block diag) is linux compatable. that should get you busy scsijon

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participants (7)

James David Jacobs
James Knott
jim barnes
kai
Kevanf1
Per Kustemo
scsijon