Spacebar has suddenly stopped working...what should I do?

_Whimsical_

The spacebar on my Dell Inspiron laptop has suddenly become nearly impossible to use. You have to really hammer it in one tiny particilar spot to get it to work and when it does it makes a disturbing little crunching noise. I really don't think that there's anything stuck under it but it does feel like there could be as it doesn't feel like it depresses down fully anymore. I've shaken it and tried to dislodge anything that may be there with no luck.

Is there anything else I can do?
I'll never take a spacebar for granted again. God you miss them when they're broken!

Alanstrainor

Have you tried carefully removing the spacebar to check is something is blocking it? Be careful they can be quite easy to break.

_Whimsical_

I tried but with no success. I was a bit nervous of using brute force in case I might completely break it. Are they usually removable and easy to replace?I thought that a laptop keyboard might be particularly delicate.

Overheal

laptop keyboards are easy to replace if you know what youre at. Yeah theres a few screws and some delicate work that goes on though - a small bit of bravery is preferred.

Is the laptop still in warranty though? I wonder if they mightnt consider doing it.

Alanstrainor

My Dell's 6400 laptop is very easy to remove, i haven't got the chance to take apart more recent Inspirons, but it's probably not all that different. You can download Dell disassembly guides online which will help if you're unsure. The keyboards can be bought on Ebay and the likes too.

ttm

If only one key has gone then it is ALMOST certainly a problem with the switch for that specific key or something stuck under the key preventing the switch working, if any of the conecting wires are damaged or its a drinks spill issue more than one key will be affected. I'd still check all the keys from the keyboard option in control panel. If it is more than one isn't working I'd take off the keyboard and its flat connecting cable and reseat the cable and try again. Also if you remove the keyboard - very easy on all Dells I've ever worked on - you can get a better look if there is anything under the space key without removing it, any drink spills will also be obvious. I really don't like taking keys off laptop keyboards as you can easily break a tiny lug off without noticing and then find you can't get the key to stay on again.

You asked what you could try - I'd give it a good blow out with compressed air (but don't go mad with the airline down the local garage take it easy) if I thought it was just crap under the key, or put the vacuum cleaner on it, put tape over the nozzel then you can push a straw into the tape to make a realy small nozzel to go under the keys (again use common sence and dont' burn your vac out).

_Whimsical_

Thanks very much for the replies everyone.

I think I'll try the hoover idea first and see if it will do the trick.

I've had a look through some disassembly guides online too and they don't look too hard. Still the thought of approaching my beloved laptop with a screw driver is nearly up there with taking a scalpel to a kitten to do brain surgery. I've never even seen the inside of a laptop in pictures before today. If the hoover idea doesn't work I might chance it though. It's tough having to work so hard for every space!

Thanks again.

ttm

So what are you doing? Copy and pasting old spaces to reuse them ?

Don't forget the on-screen keyboard just type osk.exe in the run box and hit return if you don't want to go chasing around the program menu to find it.

leninbenjamin

chilly wrote: »

Still the thought of approaching my beloved laptop with a screw driver is nearly up there with taking a scalpel to a kitten to do brain surgery.

lol, nice analogy.

the internals of an electric guitar (one of the simplest electronic circuits around) are more difficult to work with than the internals of a computer. you'll be fine. just take care.

_Whimsical_

ttm wrote: »

So what are you doing? Copy and pasting old spaces to reuse them ?

Don't forget the on-screen keyboard just type osk.exe in the run box and hit return if you don't want to go chasing around the program menu to find it.

I hadn't thought of the online keyboard at all. Already that's made life much more bearable.Thanks!:)

I have been copy & pasting spaces and accepting that I need to hammer on the spacebar up to 20 times for each space. It really disturbs your train of thought though. It's the typing equivalent of having a stutter I'd say.

ttm

Glad to here it, the OSK is also very handy if you can't logon. If you've spilt something on the KB but not realised it sometimes the correct password won't work and you have no clue that the letters under the "stars" are the wrong ones - then the OSK really is magic

cpu-dude

chilly wrote: »

I hadn't thought of the online keyboard at all. Already that's made life much more bearable.Thanks!:)

I have been copy & pasting spaces and accepting that I need to hammer on the spacebar up to 20 times for each space. It really disturbs your train of thought though. It's the typing equivalent of having a stutter I'd say.

In the mean time, you could remap a different key to act as the SPACE bar button - using Sharpkeys.

I use this to turn off my CAPS LOCK and the pointless Insert key. My fingers are very grateful because of this

_Whimsical_

cpu-dude wrote: »

In the mean time, you could remap a different key to act as the SPACE bar button - using Sharpkeys.

I use this to turn off my CAPS LOCK and the pointless Insert key. My fingers are very grateful because of this

Another fantastic idea!
Thank you very much. I'll read up on it and give that a try later on.
The term "registery hack" sounds daunting but not as daunting as a screwdriver for some reason. I really think I might love my laptop too much.

Overheal

The Registry is rarely something you want to go poking around in. Fine to look around but once you start changing values and flipping switched without knowing what it is youre actually doing, you can cause some trouble

But im sure a program like that is perfectly safe. Technically everything you install "hacks the registry" in some form or another. I wouldnt let the term worry you.

Abelloid

Don't eat crackers when you surf.

ttm

JustinOval wrote: »

Don't eat crackers when you surf.

Or crisps! But I reckon there's something a lot sticker under that space bar key if its still not working

_Whimsical_

ttm wrote: »

Or crisps! But I reckon there's something a lot sticker under that space bar key if its still not working

JustinOval wrote: »

Don't eat crackers when you surf.

Haha.If only ye knew!

Not a crisp,cracker, nor indeed adhesives of any origin have ever alighted on this keyboard.I'm telling ye I love it far too much.It has never been involved in any questionable behaviour.
I use the ancient PC for that!(and by "that" I mean eating biscuits and drinking tea over):D

bongotime

polish a toothbrush and clean it out