F*@#ing HP & Their Keyboards...

[JacobFW]

So is having the keyboard riveted to the damn chassis the new trend for laptop manufacturering?????  

Bought an HP laptop from 2019 a few months ago.  Worked well but I kept having issues with a few keys getting stuck, and cleaning didn't help, so I ordered a new keyboard.  When I got it in, I took the laptop apart, only to discover HP has used nearly 4 dozen f*@#ing rivets to cement the keyboard to the case.  I've heard of Apple pulling this crap, but first time encountering it with a Windows machine.

 

But now that I've started looking for it, it looks like nearly every manufacturer is doing this to some extent or another.

WTF?  When did this happen?

[Bad5ector]

I think you might be missing something or else they wouldnt have sent you a keyboard sans case. Are you sure you aren't issing the hidden screws that are usually at the top of the keyboard hidden under the bezel? Can you provide pics?

[Nena Trinity]

Their desktop keyboards are nice tough I have one from 2009 that still works plus some more of em in reserve!

[TrigrH]

inb4 OP realises the keyboard was probs removable from the top without needing to open the laptop.

[ausham]

I thought this was going to be about how for the longest time the HP elite like of AIO did not have the keyboard drivers preloaded haha.

 

Anywaym what laptop is this?

[JacobFW]

1 hour ago, TrigrH said:

inb4 OP realises the keyboard was probs removable from the top without needing to open the laptop.

Cute, but no.  I've had laptops with keyboards were held in with tabs on the front, and 1 or 2 screws on the back.  This is not one of them.

The laptop model is 17-ca1031dx.  The top of the laptop has holes cutout for each key.  The keyboard sits behind and the keys poke out through the holes.

 

Here's a teardown of either the same/similar model.  At the timestamp I linked, he's just taken the motherboard off, which sits on top of where the keyboard is.  Pretty much all the black spots on the back of the chassis are rivets.

 

 

 

 

[TrigrH]

24 minutes ago, JacobFW said:

Cute, but no.  I've had laptops with keyboards were held in with tabs on the front, and 1 or 2 screws on the back.  This is not one of them.

The laptop model is 17-ca1031dx.  The top of the laptop has holes cutout for each key.  The keyboard sits behind and the keys poke out through the holes.

 

Here's a teardown of either the same/similar model.  At the timestamp I linked, he's just taken the motherboard off, which sits on top of where the keyboard is.  Pretty much all the black spots on the back of the chassis are rivets.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1568304/Hp-15-Series.html?page=86#manual

 

Yep its all one part.

 

Quote

Top cover with keyboard

The top cover with keyboard remains after removing all other spared parts from the computer.

 

[Primotter]

Hey JacobFW, quick question from another HP laptop user: is the problem with the stuck keys localized in an area of the keyboard? or all of it?

 

I have an intermittent issue where the [1,q,a,z,tab,bloq mayus] keys stop working, it's like a line of non working keys. The issue comes and goes random. Ever had that happened to you? (my laptop is from 2018, and has the same type of mounted keyboard)

[PiberiusWilde]

On 10/9/2020 at 5:00 AM, JacobFW said:

So is having the keyboard riveted to the damn chassis the new trend for laptop manufacturering?????  

Bought an HP laptop from 2019 a few months ago.  Worked well but I kept having issues with a few keys getting stuck, and cleaning didn't help, so I ordered a new keyboard.  When I got it in, I took the laptop apart, only to discover HP has used nearly 4 dozen f*@#ing rivets to cement the keyboard to the case.  I've heard of Apple pulling this crap, but first time encountering it with a Windows machine.

 

But now that I've started looking for it, it looks like nearly every manufacturer is doing this to some extent or another.

WTF?  When did this happen?

Ahh... yes I remember when HP laptop is one of the most easiest laptop to repair and replace broken parts. Ahh... those 2013 years. Now most laptop (any manufacturer) keyboard are non removable and stuck keyboard happened really often backspace in my case where I told most of them to go to the manufacturer repair sites or disable the key outright.

[ahuckphin]

Companies often trade reparability and serviceability for thinner and lighter machines. 

[JacobFW]

On 10/9/2020 at 1:57 AM, Primotter said:

Hey JacobFW, quick question from another HP laptop user: is the problem with the stuck keys localized in an area of the keyboard? or all of it?

 

I have an intermittent issue where the [1,q,a,z,tab,bloq mayus] keys stop working, it's like a line of non working keys. The issue comes and goes random. Ever had that happened to you? (my laptop is from 2018, and has the same type of mounted keyboard)

Somewhat.  It's the 'w','e','d',and 'f' keys for me.

 

On 10/11/2020 at 3:19 AM, bindydad123 said:

Companies often trade reparability and serviceability for thinner and lighter machines. 

That's the excuse I've heard, but I'll actually challenge that notion.  I've replaced the keyboards on other laptops for myself and family members.  The new keyboard I ordered for this laptop is not noticeably thinner than for other ones.  Additionally, there are these magical inventions called SCREWS that can be used in place of rivets.  You might have to use more to get the necessary strength, but at least it still makes it serviceable.

 

Additionally, even with the rivets, other laptop manufacturers have found ways around this issue.  I did some googling after this issue came up and Dell has a laptop with a riveted keyboard, however the entire top part of the laptop (section with keyboard and mousepad) comes off from the rest of the chassis and display, so you can replace only that piece while leaving everything else alone.

 

So no, I completely disagree with that.  It's just poor engineering and lack of desire on their part.

 

[Primotter]

I wonder if the keys developing problems have to do with thermals.

Because my laptop has the cpu right on the q,w,a,s,e,d area. Or maybe is just a coincidence