Re: T480 and non-functional bottom row keys...

On Tue, Jul 09, 2024 at 11:05:57PM +0200, Marco Gaiarin wrote:
> 
> Someone give me an T480 that have some keys on bottom row (N, M and ; ) that
> does not work.
> 
> Just tried the simple things, like use compressed air to clean under the
> keys...
> 
> Two question.
> 
> 1) keyboard and system in general does not depict visible damages: no crack,
>  no remains of spilled fluids, ...
>  How can some keys simply stop working?

probably circuit board wire with a crack across it - are
you an EMPHATIC TYPIST?  Put that hammer away.  Anyway,
a thin wire can be soldered on, if you learn which keys
should be electrically connected ... but are not.  

This approach is for the technically capable and adventurous.


> 2) i think i'll have some trouble to find a spare italian keyboard; there's
>  some way to buy a generic/USA keyboard and 'adapt' to italian users, apart
> putting stickers on keys? I can 'pop' keys and subsitute them?

Ebay, enter: T480 Italian Keyboard

Many listings from China, some from UK and Germany,
at least for an Oregon USA search.

If you find a keyboard that works, and plan to keep using
a hammer on your keyboard (forte! vigoroso!) you should
purchase a spare keyboard.

Before that, you should also try removing your keyboard
(typically 3 screws and a "flat connector") and tapping
it edgewise on a table - something might come loose, 
that wedges a key in the wrong position.

Keep the old keyboard - a key cap may pop loose someday
on the new keyboard, and an old keycap might replace it.

Keith

P.S. Thank you for the opportunity to research this.  I
use ancient T60 thinkpads, and I can still purchase new
Chinese-made US keyboards for those 18 year old machines.
I retrofit 2048x1536 displays into them.

-- 
Keith Lofstrom          [email protected]