Laptop keyboard/mic

[TechieNoob]

I have a Compaq laptop (I forget the model, but it's about 2 1/2 years old).

About a month ago I used some of the pressurized air in a can to clean my keyboard. I have no idea what I did, but my lefthand shift key popped off. In the process, the part underneath it (which were 2 rectangle shaped objects that hooked together) also came off. It also seems that it's moved something on the top of the motherboard, but what I can't tell.

Now, I can't get the shift key back on (I've done it on other keys before, so I know how) and I think my microphone port (which is almost underneath the shift key) has shifted a little. Is that possible? I could plug in my microphone and use it until this mess with the shift key happened. Now I can plug my mic in but when I use it no sound comes out at all. :???:

Any ideas? If I have to get it professionally fixed how much do you think it would run me? Thanks heaps!

[Will.Spencer]

If you broke those two rectangle shaped objects, you will have to find replacements. That can be difficult, as most hardware manufacturers only sell replacement keyboards, but individual replacement key parts.

If you take your laptop to a dedicated laptop repair shop, they may have spare keyboard parts from other deal Compaq's.

Of course, those two little rectangular pieces (I wish I knew their names!) can be extremely difficult to fit back together. They may not be broken at all. If it were me, I would take another key apart to see how they are supposed to fit together. I'd probably pick a key that I wouldn't miss too much.

I can't visualize what you could have moved on the motherboard, and you certainly shouldn't be able to move the motherboard with compressed air. If it were me, I would be tempted to take the notebook apart just to reseat the motherboard and check for damage.

Or, you might want to take it to someone local to you who can physically examine the laptop and give you a good estimate.

You're in Edmonton, right? A quick web search found:

Laptop Medic
10624 105 Ave Nw
Edmonton, Alberta
T5H 0L2
Phone: (780) 493-8105
Fax: (780) 493-8106

[TechieNoob]

Will, I have to admit, you're a tech god. No one has really been able to help me so far, and I've taken it to two different shops. They have said that I would have to replace the whole thing, which I just can't afford to do right now.

As far as I can tell, they don't seem to be broken, but they've been a real pain trying to get them to fit back together. I honestly don't know what I did to the mic port either, but I'm gonna call Laptop Medics tomorrow and see what they can do for me.

Thanks so much for all your help!! It's greatly appreciated!