Keyboard has stopped working

[NeilW]

Hello,

Last night I did a full shutdown as I was aware the system needed tio reboot following recent software updates. This morning the keyboard is not working. The mousepad functions normally.

The onscreen keyboard works.
I plugged in the USB keyboard from my main PC - this works normally.
So, just the laptop keyboard.

Laptop is a Lenovo Yoga 3-14 (2014 I think).
I've been running Zoron OS 16 and now 17 for some time.

Changes:
I'm aware there was system software update.
i also yesterday installed Softmaker Office License version. But I'd been running the trial version this last month with no issue.

Relevant history
The laptop originally came with Win8, but Win10 ready. I switched to Win10 when it was released and all was well until the first big 6-month windows update, at which point the keyboard stopped working... weeks of frustrating re-installing, trying various keyboard drivers etc with no luck. As I saw on forums it was a common issue, but no new driver from Lenovo. I switched back to Windows8 and was stuck with it until installing Zorin 16 gave it a whole new lease of life.

So, there may be some sensitivity to keyboard drivers on this model! But I don't (yet) know how to check this in Zorin / Linux.

Many thanks for help.

[Storm]

Hello,

Try boot into the previous kernel 6.5.x as there has been a major kernel update to 6.8.x with the latest update.

[HOW TO] set an older kernel to default boot

You may need to use an earlier kernel than the current kernel used by Zorin. This method allows you to set the kernel that you will boot into by default. To set the new kernel to default: Boot into the kernel you wish to be Saved. Open terminal and run: sudo nano /etc/default/grub Change GRUB_DEFAULT=0 to GRUB_DEFAULT=saved Hit enter to drop down a line. Add GRUB_SAVEDEFAULT=true ctrl+x to exit, then the y key to say yes to save, then the enter key to save as current configuration. Ru…

[NeilW]

Hi Storm,
Thank you. First was to get the grub menu to actually show (its not dual boot so I always had it switched to not display GRUB).

However - no change. I guess its possible the hardware has gone. Do you know of any tools to analyse at a deeper level? Short of opening it up and giving a good talking-to.

Thanks again

[Storm]

Lets try this;

sudo apt install inxi
inxi --usb

Note --usb flag will show internal and extnal devices

[NeilW]

Result:
USB:
Hub-1: 1-0:1 info: Hi-speed hub with single TT ports: 11 rev: 2.0
Device-1: 1-1:2 info: Acer Lenovo EasyCamera integrated webcam
type: Video rev: 2.0
Device-2: 1-2:3 info: Chicony Genius LuxeMate i200 Keyboard
type: Keyboard,HID rev: 2.0
Device-3: 1-4:4 info: Realtek RTS5129 Card Reader Controller
type: rev: 2.0
Device-4: 1-5:5 info: Intel Bluetooth wireless interface type: Bluetooth
rev: 2.0
Device-5: 1-6:6 info: Integrated Express ITE Device(8386) type: HID
rev: 2.0
Device-6: 1-7:7 info: Elan Micro Touchscreen type: HID rev: 2.0
Hub-2: 2-0:1 info: Super-speed hub ports: 4 rev: 3.0

Interestingly the touchpad no longer seems to work on the login screen, but is still working here on the desktop.

Onpart of the bootup process it took several goes to reach the boot menu as i got a screen just typing a load of 'ccccccccccc'

[Storm]

@NeilW

Device-2: 1-2:3 info: Chicony Genius LuxeMate i200 Keyboard
type: Keyboard,HID rev: 2.0

This is your external keyboard right (the USB plugged in)?

[NeilW]

Sorry! Yes. I had to plug it in to enter the commands.
This evening the touchpad froze for a while, now its on again. I more strongly suspect hardware failure at this point...

[Storm]

How old is your laptop?

EDIT: 2014 I see. 10 years old, so you can be right about hardware failure.

[NeilW]

Its been very well used! Was my daily work machine for 7 years.

[swarfendor437]

Do you know if the keys are on a membrane rather than a scissor-X mechanism? This could well be the issue. See if you can find spares on line. Replacing a notebook keyboard can be fiddly but not impossible.

[NeilW]

I need to get the tool to open the case. Looks like a torx but only 2-3mm.

I found this dissassembly guide:

How to Disassemble Lenovo Yoga 3 14 Laptop or Sell it.

At 7:30 he says the keyboard is non-removeable, its built-in to the casing (and he had to remove every single part to get that far). It might still be worth getting in there and giving it a clean.

Thank you so much for helpful advice, I really appreciate it.

In the event that I need a new laptop, this system has served its goal of seeing just how good Zorin is and what I can do in it.

[swarfendor437]

Interesting. I've had to replace keyboard on Dell notebooks before which are separate from the casing. If you do get a new notebook, make sure it is not one that has a membrane keyboard.