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Capital letters problem (1 Viewer)

delia todd

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment
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This morning, my laptop wouldn't give me a capital c using the right hand shift key.

So investigated a bit more and it wouldn't work on the left either.

More investigation revealed that the letters d & e wouldn't work with the LH shift key! Small letters were fine, as was Caps Lock.

However, testing again, before posting this, they now seem to be working again.

Can anyone shed any light on what may be happening?
 
Sounds like some issue with the keyboard, possibly some debris or worn contacts.
There were keyboards made that one could run through the dishwasher, but I'd not recommend it with any current model.
 
Thanks Etudiant.... hmmm.... this laptop is only just over a year old! I'd not be too pleased if it was worn contacts!

But why the sudden loss, and sudden return of use, without me doing anything?

A similar thing happened with my old laptop, but then I completely lost the use of :

a and s, 5
Upper case : ^, ( and )

.... was a bit of a nightmare!

The 's' would come back briefly for maybe a day, or two, then go off again!
 
delia todd said:
.. hmmm.... this laptop is only just over a year old! I'd not be too pleased if it was worn contacts!

But why the sudden loss, and sudden return of use, without me doing anything?
Click to expand...

That kind of behavior is not rare in electrical switches, especially with modern electronics where voltages are low, so marginal contacts are more noticeable. The signals are minimal and the contact designs are challenging, because at low cost they need to function reliably for a long time, despite the impact of keyboard mashing.

Perhaps try vacuuming the surface of the laptop while holding it upside down and tapping the back of the unit.
Longer term, I think laptop keyboards can be replaced, but the job is fraught, even if you can get a replacement.
 
Thanks E. Issues I'd not thought of LOL. Thought it would be easier to understand if the problem was consistent!

I could use the small c but not the capital c on the right. The same with the c, s and d on the left. And Caps Lock worked with the all the capitals. So it really had to be the two shift keys at fault, but only with those letters LOL
 
Nutcracker said:
Try a blast one of those compressed air cleaners

(this sort of thing; other brands exist)
Click to expand...

I'd be slow with the compressed air, you want to remove dirt, not possibly drive it deeper into laptop.
For those willing to get more aggressive, a contact cleaner may be a help.
These are non conducting solvents that do a good job cleaning electrical pots and switches.
I use this stuff, there must be similar in the UK:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=psdc_15719001_t1_B000CCMLD0
 
etudiant said:
I'd be slow with the compressed air, you want to remove dirt, not possibly drive it deeper into laptop.
Click to expand...
Never thought of that possibility! Seems unlikely though, particularly as they are specifically sold for keyboard cleaning.

etudiant said:
For those willing to get more aggressive, a contact cleaner may be a help.
These are non conducting solvents that do a good job cleaning electrical pots and switches.
I use this stuff, there must be similar in the UK:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BXOGNI/ref=psdc_15719001_t1_B000CCMLD0
Click to expand...
£113 :eek!: :eek!: :eek!: it'd be cheaper to buy a new keyboard! :-O
 
Nutcracker said:
Never thought of that possibility! Seems unlikely though, particularly as they are specifically sold for keyboard cleaning.


£113 :eek!: :eek!: :eek!: it'd be cheaper to buy a new keyboard! :-O
Click to expand...

Wow indeed!!
I'd no idea that $7.97 US would translate to 113 pounds sterling.
Clearly Brexit has impacted exchange rates even more than anticipated.
 
LOL that must surely be an error. $7.97 should equate to £6.31!
 
I'd not be too sure! Once you add in bank currency transaction charges for a special import (if it's something not generally available in Britain), £113 becomes quite likely.


I once got told by my bank (years ago) that there would be bank charges of £40 for changing £1 into Swiss francs to buy something mail order. Needless to say, I didn't get it.
 
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