Solved Disable laptop keyboard input in favour of external

gibbsyns3 · Jun 26, 2024

My laptop keyboard is beaving bizarrly, inserting random characters, with some unavailable, and needs a proper tech fix or replacement.

But i can´t afford to be without it right now, so i am hoping there is a method where i can disable the keyboard in favour of an external wifi keyboard.

Obviously the use of an external keyboard overcomes the issue of unavailable characters, but does not stop the random insertion of characters from the main, broken, keyboard.

Berton · Jun 26, 2024

The touchpad can be disabled in favor of using a mouse but I've not seen a Notebook have a function for disabling the keyboard. If that were possible there'd be no way to start the computer or enter the BIOS or log into the OS. In addition to a USB keyboard I'd also plug in a mouse then lay a sheet of cardboard over the built-in keyboard to prevent inadvertent use of it. Or just position the USB keyboard over it.

Edwin · Jun 26, 2024

I don't think you have to disable the internal keyboard, just don't touch it.

My Bluetooth Keyboard overrides the Laptop's, and respects special characters and hotkey settings...

gibbsyns3 · Jun 26, 2024

Edwin said:
I don't think you have to disable the internal keyboard, just don't touch it.

thanks, but the bizarre behaviour is that it inserts characters without touching it. it seems to lock on inserting "h" for example, and will insert an endless string of them until i interact with the keyboard to stop it.

Edwin · Jun 26, 2024

gibbsyns3 said:
thanks, but the bizarre behaviour is that it inserts characters without touching it. it seems to lock on inserting "h" for example, and will insert an endless string of them until i interact with the keyboard to stop it.

Ah! Possibly a Sticky Keys problem.
Maybe you need to disable it in Device Manager.

gibbsyns3 · Jun 26, 2024

Berton said:
The touchpad can be disabled in favor of using a mouse but I've not seen a Notebook have a function for disabling the keyboard. If that were possible there'd be no way to start the computer or enter the BIOS or log into the OS. In addition to a USB keyboard I'd also plug in a mouse then lay a sheet of cardboard over the built-in keyboard to prevent inadvertent use of it. Or just position the USB keyboard over it.

Thanks, i did wonder if the bios sequence would be an issue. trying temp workarounds i used keyboard mapping to reassign the troublesome "h" to a punctuation character, but when logging in the keyboard "h" applies itself to the* password *field********* ******************************** *i am leaving these asterisks as an example of the beaviour. i am going nowhere near the asterisk key, they are ** being r**andomly self inserted.

gibbsyns3 · Jun 26, 2024

Edwin said:
Ah! Possibly a Sticky Keys problem.
Maybe you need to disable it in Device Manager.

i was considering this edwin, i guess i am hoping a guru will tell me that in doing so i will still be able to boot, or any adjustments i can make in te boot sequence that will recognise the external keyboard early enough to keep the laptop functional?

Edwin · Jun 26, 2024

Does the h key look crooked, broken or dickered somehow?

Edwin · Jun 26, 2024

gibbsyns3 said:
... so i will still be able to boot...

True dat! Along with the log in problem!

gibbsyns3 · Jun 26, 2024

Edwin said:
Does the h key look crooked, broken or dickered somehow?

yes, i had never had reason to look at it before, but it does not look as centered as other keys. but it is not just the h. the auto insertion also applies to * asterisk key, and upper case y is unavailable.

the h key is the worst. i have disabled it in character map, assigning h to an apostrophe key, but it is not an effective solution, and at login it applies itself endlessly to the login field, before the mapping takes effect.

glasskuter · Jun 26, 2024

I've run into this problem more than once with laptop keyboards. In every case replacing keyboard fixed it. It's was always those keys right down the middle, like 5-6-7, t-y-u, g-h-j.
I never did know why it usually involved those keys more than others

gibbsyns3 · Jun 27, 2024

glasskuter said:
I've run into this problem more than once with laptop keyboards. In every case replacing keyboard fixed it. It's was always those keys right down the middle, like 5-6-7, t-y-u, g-h-j.
I never did know why it usually involved those keys more than others

thanks, i just ordered a replacement keyboard for far less than i expected. hopefully an easy diy task

glasskuter · Jun 27, 2024

Replacing a laptop keyboard is a little tedious, but not hard; some a lot easier than others. I suggest go to Lenovo support. For your model, pull up the maintenance manual. It will give step by step instructions. You can also search the web for "how to replace keyboard in Lenovo xxxx" You will probably find lots of youtube videos. Since every darned KB is different, I always do both those things to make sure I don't damage another component in getting the keyboard out.

Note: If your laptop is a little older Lenovo may have removed its maintenance manual from their site. In that case, just do a web search for "maintenance manual for Lenovo xxxx" It's out there.