Compaq HP Presario Keyboard woes


Last updated on July 3rd, 2015 at 08:50 pm

My Compaq Presario 2100 (actually 2104US) had a keyboard problem. Luckily I did some more searching before buying a replacement keyboard. Having said that, HP?s replacement keyboard is sub $35 AUD so I spent more time on this than it the part was worth.

The solution showed itself by accident, I accidentally started iTunes and noticed that I wasn?t getting any sound. On checking the volume control app on Windows I noticed my volume was set low. I inspected the volume controls on the side of the case and discovered the Volume Down button was jammed between the case frame. I couldn?t get it repositioned manually from outside the case.
It turns out that KeyTweak was right, key 131 is Volume Down. Had I realised that sooner it would have saved me a couple of hours.

Anyway I followed the HP and compaq service manual to disassemble the laptop. Unfortunately the manual isn?t very clear on removing the motherboard, but I didn?t need to do that step. Once I?d got that far I could reposition the rubber button over the motherboard switch and reassemble. My laptop is working as good as new now.


0 responses to “Compaq HP Presario Keyboard woes”

  1. Hi,
    Non of the keys on my compaq 2140US do not work! The one touch mouse pad does work however and so do the one touch keys on the top row (i.e the ones that are marked with an internet/mail symbol etc) . An external keyboard on the PS2 port also works.

    I also did a restore thinking that there was a virus and that does not help either. Wondering if you have any ideas and if I should install keytweak to see if any of the keys are operational.
    Thanks

    • Definitely install keytweak from http://webpages.charter.net/krumsick/ and see what it says.

      You could also try disassembling the laptop to the point of the keyboard connector on the motherboard. Re-attach the keyboard ribbon cable and see if it works.

      Otherwise you’ll need to buy a new keyboard. Or a new laptop as that model is quite old now.

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