Ideapad 330-15IBK issue

Over the holidays, my niece gave me her old Ideapad 330-15IKB. She hadn't used it in a while and couldn't remember what was wrong with it. As near as I can tell, it has an issue where it won't power on reliably and, when it does, powers off randomly. Also, the light on the power button never seemed to come on, even though the one on the sided did.

After trying various suggestions from the Internet, I discovered that if I disconnected the keyboard, I could power the laptop on with the NOVO button and it would seem to run with no issues using a USB keyboard. So, here I am with a few questions:

• Have any of you ever seen an issue like this? Judging from what I've seen searching the Web, it seems like this is a semi-common failure.
• Am I correct in assuming that it is a keyboard issue as opposed to, say, the keyboard controller on the motherboard?
• Any hints about replacing the keyboard? Or am I better off trying to find a replacement topcase?
• In the mean time, is there a way to power the system on from an external keyboard? Some combo, perhaps? Or am I limited to the NOVO button?

Thanks...
JR

 

Getting the entire top case, which will have the keyboard and touchpad, will be much easier than just trying to replace the keyboard.

 

After you wrote that, I watched a couple of YouTube videos on replacing the keyboard... boy, you weren't kidding!

I lucked out and found a top case on Ebay for cheap because of a small crack. I didn't notice until it arrived, however, that it was a lilac-colored one. So now I have an Ideapad with a silver lid and trackpad but a lilac palmrest. (My niece picked up a MacBook after this one broke and told me I could keep it. I'd say that she is now my favorite niece, but she is also my only one so that is redundant. )