Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

First it required some force to type, now it's *lmost impossible to type the first letter of the *lph*bet, which is why I put *sterisks inste*d. Help? I'm h*rd pressed to compose using only words without the letter *.

My l*ptop is * Toshib* S*tellite, *bout 6 ye*rs old.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

Sorry to he*r th*t *nnie J*ck.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

Biscuit crumbs? or some other foodstuff possibly. Try turning it upside down and shake it...GENTLY! or even a good hard blow can work wonders. Good luck.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

Happened to me a few months ago and I did a vacumn on it with the pipe of course lol. Should have seen the muck that came out between the keys. Give it a gentle shake upside down as well. Should be OK then.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

once a week i give my Toshiba Satelite a gentle once over with a Hoover using the brush attachment gently, hope this works ...good luck..

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

The easiest solution if the shaking/vacuum/blowing solutions don't work is to buy a cheap USB keyboard, plug it into a USB port and use that.

If all else fails you could try prising off the key itself to see if it is repairable yourself. One of three things will result:

1. The key will neatly pop off, you clean beneath it and pop it back on and all is well. Most likely if it was a real cheapie.
2. You will completely bugger it and break the plastic mechanism underneath BUT there is a stub left which when pressed operates the key correctly.
3. You will completely bugger it and break the plastic mechanism underneath and the key is totally useless

That list is from the least likely result to the most likely so it is an action you only take as a last resort. My 18 month grandson tore two keys off an old Dell of mine I still use it because #2 was the result.

The keyboard is replaceable but I suspect that at 6 years old you would be better off spending the money on a new laptop.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

One alternative is to purchase one of those aerosol cans designed for this sort of problem, my son has one which he frequently uses on my keyboard, it has a tiny tube you attach and when you press the nozzle, it blows air out. excellent gadget.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

Well I turned it upside down and thumped it a bit, shook it, tried again. Then I just kept pressing the key stubbornly and it now surrenders an 'a' every 4 or 5 tries, which I can live with. I'll try the vac brush a bit later too. Thanks all.

p.s. - I like to think I'm very careful when snacking and typing but I will admit some crumbs fell out.

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

...just so long as it wasn't meat and two veg Annie!! That could cause permanent damage!!

Re: Help - l*ptop key sticking, de*d?

A couple of things not mentioned ...lift the key gently a wedge it slightly raised then a good hard blow ...or slide a a small paint brush underneath the key or better still a lens cleaner brush....