u02bnpx Loc: NW PA

I have a 5-year-old Sony Vaio laptop with Windows 7, and it's my favorite go-to tool for simple post-processing with Elements. Just yesterday, it decided to perturb me when its "period" key ceased to work. Even though I'm a senior male (in his early 80s), I became alarmed when my period stopped, a condition that more typically affects young women or girls of wanton proclivities. Rather than speed off to Best Buy, I thought it might be productive to consult the tech-savvy folks in this forum. First, is this a serious illness that writes my Sony's death sentence, or is it a minor glitch that a Best Buy "geek" could cure in minutes? Second, does anyone have an estimate of what I might expect to pay in order to bring about a cure? Thanks for any advice that points me in the right direction. i never dreamt that I could become so despondent over a dot that won't come when it's called.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Do you have a number keypad? Does the period work there?
If so, it might just be a dirty key contact?
No guess on what that may cost.

drivered Loc: Capital District, NY

I can't help but I do love your sense of humor. Made me smile and had to call my wife over to read you note. We both enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

u02bnpx Loc: NW PA

Thanks. Now I'm thinking of writing a short story about this illness. Problem is, how to do so without "period capacity."

blackest Loc: Ireland

A quick look on ebay shows they run from about $10 to $20 for a replacement sony vaio keyboard. However you need to know the exact model saying sony vaio is like saying you want an exhaust for a ford. It isn't unusual for a keyboard to have keys die usually they die in blocks rather than individually. As a check if you could plugin a usb keyboard that should have all keys working including your period if it doesn't then it may be a more serious job.

Anyway once you have found your exact model then you should search on google for a service manual for that laptop, in a pinch looking at a couple of sony manuals for other laptops might be enough if you can't find yours. Each company tends to have its preferred way of installing a keyboard but they tend to be consistent in their methods. sometimes there are case screws which enter from the rear of the case and screw into the keyboard plate sometimes just spring loaded retaining plates a thin knife(s) can push them back. usually there s a ribbon cable on the keyboard which connects to a zif socket (zero insertion force) they have a plastic bar hinged at the ends you flip it up to release lay it back down to lock. Maybe best to watch a couple of youtube video's there may be one just for your laptop.

So it is a pretty easy diy job. If you don't feel up to it next cheapest will be to buy the keyboard and have a local computer repair shop fit it. most expensive will be when you get them to buy the replacement keyboard and fit it. Oh one last thing ensure you get a us version of the keyboard. There are lots of layouts for different countries and languages and it helps when the key you press has the right symbol on it.

Good luck

u02bnpx Loc: NW PA

No number keypad. And no trace of Dorito crumbs in or around the period key. Thanks anyway.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Or. If each key is removable on your keyboard, you can get an air blower in a can and blow out any debris. And take a Q-tip and wet with some clear rubbing alcohol and clean the surrounding small metal parts. Wait awhile and try it out.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Ditto!

I have replaced keyboards for each of my three kids' laptops. Once you get the keyboard it takes anywhere from 30-60 mins to replace it. Some are easier than others.

The other alternative is to buy a wireless or wired external keyboard and just plug it in. No one says you have to use the one on the laptop.

blackest Loc: Ireland

A Vac can get some debris out usually you have a crunchy key if it is debris, use nylons stockings a thin sock over the end of the hose, it is possible for a loose key or its components to become dislodged. This way you don't need to search the hoover bag.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

I find it rather unusual for a male to have a period stop.

Previous experience with Sony Laptops (I'll never buy a Sony product again, for several reasons) where I lost the use of a key (believe it or not, it was the period key) and was told by Sony that the whole keyboard would have to be replaced and they could not replace a individual key.

Maybe it is time to consider a new computer?

Good luck!!

blackest Loc: Ireland

Nobody does , cheaper to replace the whole thing most people want paying for working. A new computer for the sake of replacing a keyboard for a few dollars, you must be kidding.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Does it feel like there's something underneath it, or is it electrically not making contact? Sounds like you've already checked for crumbs, so probably an electrical contact that's worn out.

Keyboards can be found easily and for not a lot of money. If you're up to it (or find someone who is), it can be replaced without a huge amount of work or time.

Another idea is to use the mouse to copy a period from somewhere on the screen, then paste it whenever you need it. Or, you can use Character Map (Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Character Map, then select and copy the period.

Use Ctrl and V to paste each time if you prefer that over the mouse right click and paste trick.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

As one answer said - get a can of compressed air and blow out the keyboard. Take the battery out and put it back in to make sure everything is actually rebooted. If that doesn't help - ask your local computer fix-it shop - keyboards are a mechanical device which fail routinely and commonly need replacement.

Regarding those little mall fix-it shops: there is one near my local grocery store. I was always skeptical, but the charging port in my iPhone stopped holding the plug and accepting a charge (yes, I blew it out with compressed air because pocket lint is the major cause of this. I took my phone into this store, and their menu board listed this as the #2 fix they did (the most common fix was replacing a broken screen). It cost me $60 and they did it while I went grocery shopping. I was extremely pleased, since I was fully expecting to have to buy a new phone.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I began reading your post, I saw the potential for a humorous reply, but you beat me to it.

Try a DIY repair.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=sony%20vaio%20with%20bad%20keys

catfish252

Like someone else said replacing a keyboard in a laptop is fairly simple and straight forward, for most laptops you can find the maintenance manual on-line and I have found many videos on YouTube for different laptops. If the rest of the laptop is doing it's job then you may may to try this until you get it fixed or replaced, most of the newer Windows Releases have on-screen keyboards as part of the Accessibility tools. See here: http://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10762/windows-use-on-screen-keyboard. This website might help also in how to replace your keyboard: http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Sony_Laptop