Damnit! Laptop Keyboard is Dying

[DoctorFinger]

So it looks like the keyboard on my ancient Vaio laptop is dying. The period, backslash and down arrow keys just will not register when struck (the periods you see are cut & pasted). Should I bother trying to take it apart, or should I just buy a cheapo USB keyboard? I'll probably be buying a new laptop later this year, but I use this one quite a bit now, so I'd really like a stopgap solution

[OldeWolf]

Truth be told, I often like having my Razor mouse plugged in along with my own plugged in keyboard so i can put it on my lap or what not and not have to bend over and try in vain with my big fingers to type anything fancy on this flat top laptop keyboard.

Seems like buying a plug in keyboard is a no brainer compared to the complexity of taking the laptop apart.

[fitbabits]

Are you able to tell how dirty/dusty the keyboard is underneath? I've seen this happen on various laptops due to dust and other crud literally gumming up the works.

Also, taking off a laptop keyboard is relatively straightforward if you're at all familiar with the various methods for doing so (it varied from make-to-make, model-to-model).

[Johan]

If it's an old computer, I'm going to infer you don't need much power for the software you're utilizing. How about picking up an inexpensive netbook computer for a few hundred dollars, if it fits your usage requirements?

[DoctorFinger]

I use a netbook fairly frequently at my Dad's house, but with what I'm looking for in a machine it's not ideal. I'd rather spend the extra $200 and get a full on laptop, especially since portability is not my primary concern.

As for dust, it's a possibility. I'm going to try and open the sucker up later today and see what's up with those particular keys.

[roboninja]

Since it is keys that are next to each other (I am assuming the down arrow is near there on your laptop), it does point to the possibility of dirt/gunk being the problem. I have had that type of thing before on a desktop keyboard.

[Wackman3000]

If it's old and you plan on upgrading, of course you gotta rip it open and tinker with it first, where's the fun otherwise?

[Jackel]

You can sometimes find replacement keyboards on ebay for pretty cheap, so have a look around.

Keyboards on laptops can be surprisingly easy to replace.