How to repair laptop keys

More than a decade ago when I joined a computer class to enhance my skills, one of the first instructions given by the Professor was to save typed work after every 3-4 lines and, secondly, not to bang on the keyboard keys. He pointed out that banging on the keys loosens them up and they will eventually come off.

Well, I do have a soft touch on my laptop keys but not everybody in my family has delicate fingers! So after a couple of years of use, the laptop keys got loose. One fine day, the 'N' key decided it was high time to get out of its cramped confinement. It sort of jumped in the air, made a gravity-defying twist like a gymnast, and landed neatly upside down on the 'J' key. I stared aghast at this stunt. The gap left behind by the laptop key contained a tiny bluish cone-shaped piece. I poked at it tentatively and realized that it is what gave the key a spring every time it was tapped. Since I had a deadline to meet, I continued my work, tapping on the cone whenever the 'N' was required. Eventually, the inevitable happened – the cone, too, slid off smoothly like an ice skater and now only the metal base was left.

I called up a local chap who services desktops and laptops and asked about repairing/replacement of the laptop key. He gave me this jaw-dropping information that a single key would cost Rs.450/- !! I was sure he was adding his own service charge/commission since he said he would have to give the laptop to somebody else for servicing.

Not wanting to spend so much for one laptop key, I decided to try sticking the key back with a bit of glue. I put a thin layer along the sides of the key and also at the center so that the cone would also remain firm. Then I neatly put the errant 'N' back in its slot. This self-repair method worked fine – for exactly one hour. Then back it went to its gymastics, this time landing on 'B'. I frowned at the key in exasperation and decided to haul the entire laptop to the service center. Since it was nearby, I saved myself the service charge of Rs.250/- that comes for a home service pickup. At the center, I was told that they would keep it for a day and check it out. The next day I got a call from them, saying that the wonderful glue I had put had actually made the situation worse; the glue remnants made it impossible to put the laptop key back firmly. Nevertheless, they did manage to willy-nilly put it back and, thankfully, I was able to use it.

After about 20 days, another laptop key came off! I thought then perhaps I should replace the entire laptop keyboard but was aghast to know that the price tag would be Rs.4000/- +! Finally I bought an external UBS keyboard for Rs.400/-

The moral of the story: type softly - and don't try self-repairs.