Disable laptop keyboard

**TheRefactornator** · 19 April 2008, 20:45

If its not in the bios, you need a custom bios. Try the manufacturer or the bios vendor. Or if you're a wizz hacker, hack the bios yourself and reflash at your own risk.

**DiscoStu** · 20 April 2008, 01:13

I've had my laptop to bits a few times to fit a new heatsink & fan, and the keyboard is connected to the system board by a ribbon cable. You could try disconnecting this (although it could generate a keyboard error on POST, you won't know until you try it...)

**MrLithic** · 20 April 2008, 06:59

You could always try putting the laptop keyboard in the dishwasher.

http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=263

But you have to let it completely dry out.

Alternatively most laptop keyboards are roughly 30 quid and easy to install (200 plus if you let them install it)

**bellymonster** · 20 April 2008, 13:22

Lots of new keyboards for sale on ebay.
Couldn't find one for a P40 (is that deffo the model) but most were less than 20 quid.

Keyboards are a doddle to change normally.

**r0bly0ns** · 20 April 2008, 13:25

Problem is I don't actually know if the problem is with the keyboard or with something else internally, hence wanting to disable it and try a USB one before trying to replace it.

I'll try cracking it open and disconnecting the keyboard first.
Ta.

**Paddy** · 20 April 2008, 14:12

Originally posted by r0bly0ns View Post

Is it possible to disable a laptops internal keyboard?

My brother spilt beer over his laptop, and now they keyboard is knackered. I have tried a USB keyboard, however this is not working properly, it is as if the alt & ctrl buttons are being permenantly held in. I know the USB keyboard is fine as I have tried it on another laptop, I think the laptops internal keyboard is still sending some signals and interfereing.

Problem is I can't get into windows because of this.....
I have a Vista recovery CD.

Toshiba Equium P40 if it helps....

Cheers.

Make a boot CD disk auto run and auto load remote desktop. Then remote in.

**r0bly0ns** · 20 April 2008, 14:35

Originally posted by Paddy View Post

Make a boot CD disk auto run and auto load remote desktop. Then remote in.

Cheers Paddy, you reminded me of an old Dos boot CD I have lying around.
I have tried this and the USB keyboard works fine in DOS. It's just when booting into Vista (off the HDD or a Vista recovery CD) that the USB keyboard misbehaves.......

This is a new one on me, how the heck can I get into the vista insallation?

**r0bly0ns** · 20 April 2008, 20:38

Sorted it. It was as I suspected, the internal keyboard was interfering once windows had started up.

Removed the internal keyboard and the USB one now works fine. Time to source a new internal keyboard.....

**r0bly0ns** · 20 April 2008, 20:39

Originally posted by discostu

've had my laptop to bits a few times to fit a new heatsink & fan, and the keyboard is connected to the system board by a ribbon cable. You could try disconnecting this (although it could generate a keyboard error on POST, you won't know until you try it...)

Originally posted by bellymonster View Post

Lots of new keyboards for sale on ebay.
Couldn't find one for a P40 (is that deffo the model) but most were less than 20 quid.

Keyboards are a doddle to change normally.

Oops, sorry, it's an L40, but as above your suggestions have worked.

Disable laptop keyboard