Can I programmatically disable/enable the physical keyboard?

How can my laptop keyboard be fixed?

• Earlier today my laptop over heated and turned it's self off. When started it up, it kept freezing part way during start up and I would have to turn it off and try restarting it again but eventually it started up normally. When it was finished starting up I found that the keyboard no longer works. If I press any key, the laptopmouse freezes mouses freezes and won't move. I have been Control Panel and the keyboard drivers are there and working normally and I tried System restore but that didn't work. My friend thinks the keyboard is damaged from the over heating. If the keyboard is damaged does anyone know how much it would cost to fix my laptop in the UK? Is there anything else I try to fix it? I had to use the On-Screen Keyboard to type this.

• Answer:

  I am sorry to say this, but your keyboard is most likely 90% certain NOT at fault. I can honestly say I once spilled tea on my laptop keyboard, so I took it apart, wrapped the keyboard in a few beach towels, chucked it in the washing machine and then dried it using a hair dryer. The result? One fully functioning keyboard that smelled gorgeous and was clean and shiny. After all that abuse, I don't belive the keyboard would have malfunctioned at around 70 degrees (what the laptop can sustain at MAX temps) More likely when the laptop overheated, it damaged the chipset which controls the keyboard/mouse controller. This is not fixable, and will require a new laptop. If it still under warranty, I would suggest sending back to the manufacturer. I feel your pain having to type all of that using the on-screen keyboard. You could as a temporary measure purchase a USB keyboard & mouse combo. Best place to purchase from is www.ebuyer.co.uk If you do want to try replacing the keyboard, it will be quite expensive. Laptop keyboards are manufacturer and model specific, so the only place to obtain a replacement keyboard is direct from the manufacturer or ebay. Prices can vary from £20 - 120 depending on condition and manufacture/model of laptop. Replacing a laptop keyboard is not very difficult and can be acheived by a competent technician in one hour, or maybe the laptop needs to be dismantled fully which may take two hours. Pc world in my opinion will charge an arm and a leg, but its always good to go in and get a quote. Hope I helped.