[vivienne]

Hi

My granddaughter has a Toshiba Satellite A20 laptop. As she was typing the space bar came off. We tried to fit it back in but when depressed, it doesn't pop up again. She can use it without the space bar as there is a button she can press down on - it only works that way.

Is there a way that we can fix this ourselves or must we bring it to a Toshiba dealer ?

Thanks!

Vivienne

 

[JohnWill]

You can pick up a new keyboard for it, they are pretty simple to install.

 

[idowindows]

When it was reinstalled, something didn't snap into place properly.

If it is not working - you can't do any more harm to it.

Try popping it back off. Look at it carefully. If you conclude the underbody of the bar (hinges, springs, ect) is not damaged - try reinstalling it. This may be difficult for you don't know HOW it's supposed to be before snapping back in place.

Some times you have to make sure this is in this direction, that is in that direction before reinserting. Or ask a local techy teen neighbor have a go at it - plenty of sharp talent out there.

Worst case scenario, have the keyboard replaced per JohnWill's advise.

 

[vivienne]

Johnwill:

You can pick up a new keyboard for it, they are pretty simple to install.

That's a good idea. We can try to install it and if we cannot, *then* we can take it in to be repaired. Hardware is scary stuff, I'm told, especially for a laptop.

Thanks for answering!

Vivienne

 

[vivienne]

Idowindows:

Thanks for your reply.

I have found a website that tells you how to take apart a keyboard. I will try following the instructions there first. And, as you said, if it doesn't work, I can then call on help!!!

Thank you, Idowindows. Your advice is much appreciated.

Vivienne

 

[vivienne]

It also just occurred to me that you are probably right about it just not being seated right, because the laptop was recently dropped and this happened after a day or so.

I am optimistic that this is the problem.

Thank you again!

Vivienne

 

[idowindows]

After being dropped, I hope the spacebar is the only problem - cross your fingers...

 

[vivienne]

Idowindows:

After being dropped, I hope the spacebar is the only problem - cross your fingers...

I know what you mean!!! After having dropped it, the monitor would not display anything. We took it apart and noticed that the cable connecting it to the power supply (?) was loose, we tightened it, put it back together again, lost 2 screws which we think is somewhere inside the laptop :-( and it worked. So this is the second problem!! And yes, my fingers are crossed!!

Thanks IDW !

Vivienne

 

[JohnWill]

I'd be seriously considering opening it up and getting those screws out! There is not a lot of clearance in the machine, and if they move to the wrong location, you could well toast the machine.

 

[vivienne]

Johnwill:

I'd be seriously considering opening it up and getting those screws out! There is not a lot of clearance in the machine, and if they move to the wrong location, you could well toast the machine.

The screws would be lost in the monitor part of the laptop - the cover part. We did not open the part where the keyboard, etc. is. Do you still think this could cause a problem ?

Thanks!!

Vivienne

 

[JohnWill]

Hard to say, though it's probably a bit less likely. I'd have to see how the LCD is constructed and what's exposed.

 

[vivienne]

Idowindows and Johnwill:

Problem solved. We took an eraser from a pencil, whittled it down just a little, put it over the little button that controls the space bar movement, put the spacebar cover back on and it seems to work!! Tomorrow we will glue it to the spacebar cover.

Hard to say, though it's probably a bit less likely. I'd have to see how the LCD is constructed and what's exposed.

When we worked on the laptop tonight, we noticed that the back had *just* the monitor. So we didn't dismantle it - which was originally hard for us to do.

Thank you both for your advice!!

Vivienne