Member Avatar for Compu Nerd

I've recently relpaced a MOBO in an older laptop running Win 98SE.
When i put it back together the keyboard doesnt seem to work properly. When i press A i get E. When i press S i get V. Whats going on here. Ive also noticed that the video doesnt work but i found that the problem is the video cable on the LCD. Does anyone have any ideas as to why the keyboard is freaking out?

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Dani AI

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A few focused checks will quickly separate a hardware wiring problem from a software/layout issue and point to the likely cause after a motherboard swap.

If the wrong characters appear before Windows starts (in BIOS screens or during POST) the fault is almost certainly hardware: the keyboard ribbon, connector, or the embedded controller on the replacement board. was right to call out pins and dirt — start there, but add a couple more targeted steps:

  • Boot to BIOS or a boot menu and type. If keys are scrambled there, skip Windows troubleshooting.
  • Try a known-good external USB keyboard. If it types normally, the laptop keyboard or its connector is at fault.
  • Power down, remove battery and AC, then reseat the flat flex cable in its ZIF latch. Ensure the cable is fully inserted, the latch engaged, and no tape or pad is forcing it crooked.
  • Inspect the cable and connector with a magnifier for torn traces, contamination, or bent contacts. Clean gently with 90%+ isopropyl if needed. Do not force the latch.
  • Confirm the replacement motherboard exactly matches the original model/revision. Different board revisions can use different keyboard matrices or EC firmware and produce scrambled key mappings.

Use ESD precautions when handling the board. If reseating/cleaning does not fix it, swapping in a known-good keyboard assembly or returning the replacement board to the supplier (with model/revision numbers) is the practical next step.

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Member Avatar for raybay

Look for dirt or bent pins on the plug and socket. If it is a USB keyboard, it is time for a new one, as their failure rate is extrmely high.

Member Avatar for Compu Nerd

Thanks Ill give it a try.

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