Big Problem... HELP (Dell XPS 1710)

So I have a dell XPS 1710 and rarely move it around much so i use a usb keyboard with it. Well i ended up breaking my usb keyboard by accident and went to use the integrated keyboard on my laptop and only about 1/3 of the keys work. Its really strange because only certain keys wont work. What the heck could be going on?

ps. i haven't abused my laptop at all, its flawless!

please help!!

 

Maybe you need to dust out your keyboard. It sometimes makes the keys less sensitive.

You could also try the diagnostic software that comes with your system. See if keys are really broken or stuck. But dust out your system before trying.

 

which keys won't work? if it's the right side of your keyboard, it could just be that the numlock is on....

 

Eh well heres where it gets interesting. On the home row key its asdfghl that all work but the others dont. So i guess its mainly the right side that doesnt work in the home row. But on the row below the keys that work are zxcvm. Its really screwy. Ive never had anything like this happen before. I cant roll back any drivers for the keyboard and i dont wanna risk having to unistall it atm.

Any other ideas guys?

Im thinking i might have to bite the bullet and call dell (out of warranty...*GAsP*)

 

Do this first. check the keyboard connection on your motherboad. If you don't know how, check support.dell.com for documents how to remove the keyboard/open it up etc.

Unfortunately..I hate to tell you this but most of the time I had this problem before in client's computers it was due to the motherboard being bad. So if you reseat the connector and it doesn't work still, then your mainboard is bad. (I'd say you have probably a 1/4-1/3 chance of fixing it by checking the connector). Fixing drivers etc won't do any good, its a hardware issue.

Good luck and report your findings.