Help needed for this very odd problem (laptop)

[here4yagurlz]

I have a Toshiba laptop that is a little over a year old (so warranty is gone). This is my only resource for help, since I dont want to take it in and pay for labour unless I know there is something wrong (that can be fixed). So I'm hoping for your input on this. Im sure this can be fixable.

Everytime, I close my laptop or have it closed, and open it back up later (overnight), the entire keyboard seems to get a bit looser. I type on it, and I can literally hear the keyboard pounding and hitting the casing of the laptop. And its pretty noticeable. Now, I have done quite a bit of inspecting and noticed that the 2 screws to the right (2 of the 3 screws) used to hold the keyboard in place somehow get a bit loosened from closing the lid, and this is most likely the cause. However, as i leave the lid open, usually half hour-hour later the keyboard gets tightened again and the noise is gone. Its only when I close the lid for hours and then open it back up is when it comes back. I know 2 of the 3 screws get loosened because if I push down on that area where it is bolted in, that part of the keyboard shifts in a bit. Whereas if I push down on it when its tight, it doesnt give in at all.

So now you ask yourself, what is causing the screws to loosen? Well its simple, its from closing the lid. Because I notice if i have the LCD pushed all the way to the back, as far as it can go (so its facing the ceiling), the keyboard is at its tightest feel. But if i put the LCD up to say a 45 degree angle, its noticeably not as tight. So obviously, logics would say that by closing the lid, it would put it in its loosest state.

So now the question is, what the heck am I to do about something duranged like this? Is it the casing? Obviously it has something to do with the hinge, but the hing has no screws. Yes I have tried replacing the keyboard, in fact a couple times and nothing. The top 2 screws are bit worn down from previous work done to it, but the service guy at the shop (speaking over the phone) doesnt think the screws would have anything to do with it. Hmm....

[pandaharo]

Some leptops have air vents just above the keyboard, when you close the lid, the laptop will heat up considerably. Do you think it's possible the screws are getting loose due to heat expansion?

[here4yagurlz]

Some leptops have air vents just above the keyboard, when you close the lid, the laptop will heat up considerably. Do you think it's possible the screws are getting loose due to heat expansion?

Ya the guy on the phone mentioned something bout this. Hmm could be very possible. I wonder how I can tell if it is and what to do to work around it.

And youre right, though I dont physically see any vents on the top of my keyboard. I know there is a lot of heat that does come from it, because over time you feel it. And if you put your hand above it, you can feel the heat coming up.

[mrlarouc]

my hypothesis was the opposite... lid closed = laptop off = no (less) heat = contraction = loose keyboard. lid open = laptop on = more heat = expansion and tighter keyboard.

eitherway we both agree that your problem may be due to heat! ;)

[here4yagurlz]

my hypothesis was the opposite... lid closed = laptop off = no (less) heat = contraction = loose keyboard. lid open = laptop on = more heat = expansion and tighter keyboard.

eitherway we both agree that your problem may be due to heat! ;)

Yip, I think youre right. Actually, Im 99.9% sure you are (I give Panda credit too for bringing it up).

Since you might know from High School, metals tend to increase in volume when heated, so since after your laptop is operated, the metal (screws) are heated and it tightens your keyboard. And after u turn laptop off, close it and let it sit for few hours, the screws cool down again, so your keyboard loosens.

So since its heat related, Im not so sure if closing the lid makes it any worse. I should try leaving it open overnight with it off and see if it still happens. if it does, then its 100% heat related. If not, then the lid + heat is the culprit. I just dont know how to work around this. Having to wait like an hour everytime I open it just to use it, is absolutely absurd. Really, if you ask me I think its due to Toshibas cheap mechanics.

[Mr Nobody]

So you're thinking its a case of expansion and not actually screws loosening (which would imply the screws are turning loose)?

Are the screw holes plastic or metal? Can you tighten the screws to reduce the effect of expansion? (Replace the screws if needed)

[here4yagurlz]

So you're thinking its a case of expansion and not actually screws loosening (which would imply the screws are turning loose)?

Are the screw holes plastic or metal? Can you tighten the screws to reduce the effect of expansion? (Replace the screws if needed)

well actually, when i tried to tighten the screws, they wouldnt budge. so the screw didnt actually "physcially" loosen up. Sorry if I mislead anyone to thinking that. :confused: Screws are metal btw and they are tight as they can go. And the holes are metal.

[Mr Nobody]

So where's the movement? In the entire keyboard or individual keys? Is there play up/down, left/right, or front/back? Did this just start happening, or was it always like this?

[here4yagurlz]

So where's the movement? In the entire keyboard or individual keys? Is there play up/down, left/right, or front/back? Did this just start happening, or was it always like this?

Movement is the entire keyboard itself (from what it seems). There is always some kind of play/flex in my keyboard, because thats just how this model was built (sad i know). But when its heated up, it makes no pounding vibrating noise from the back. When its cold or the lid has just been opened up, then the whole keyboard (every key) is very noisy even when touching it lightly. Its been like this for about a while, not sure how long, but ive noticed it more lately. When its cold, you cant even type on it, because the noise of the back of the keyboard pounding is about 10x louder than the noise of the keys being pressed itself.

I still have to figure out if its 100% heat related or if the lid/hinge has some part to do with it.

[here4yagurlz]

im going to leave it open tonight with it shutdown and see if it does it in the morning. obviously if it does, then the lid closing has nothing to do with it and its most likely just heat expansion related.

What i think it could be, is perhaps the screws, since 2 of my 3 screws are a bit worn down. maybe that could be causing it?

ill be able to tell more in the morning.

[here4yagurlz]

take out the screws, superglue your keyboard to the case

thats ridiculous.

[here4yagurlz]

well, it wont move for sure after that

and how hot does your laptop get anyways to have screws possibly contract/expand

fair enough haha, but then the glue would melt all over the inside. And how would I ever be able to clean the dust out.

Well, im not sure how hot it has to get for the screws to possibly expand, but generally it takes about 30mins to an hour after running it in the morning from cold/closed lid state. But ill see if things change tommmorow morning.

I really need the dust blown out of my laptop, and I think I need the heat sink taken out and blown. Dont know where to go for something like this, and im not brave enough to do it myself. Too risky. But i havent had the thing blown out for about 4 months now and the heatsink has never been taken out and cleaned out i dont think. The tech at toshiba did it last time, but it was under warranty then. Now, no.

[here4yagurlz]

update: back on my laptop, cooled it off for 45mins with the lid open and the noise came back when i started it up again, but then went away once the heat was starting up again. So obviously it IS heat expansion related. I dont think the lid has anything to do with it. Hmmm...feel free to keep those suggestions coming.

[here4yagurlz]

i still find it hard to beleive the heat from your laptop could exapnd metal screws, the plastic would have to go first i assume.
have you ever taken apart the laptop before and see how it is inside, maybe put some artic silver on the cpu

got any pics?


ok i think youre right. I left the laptop opened, shutdown overnight for more than 11hours and came back this morning. Its not loose or making any noise at all. WTF. I tell you, this is the most fuked up problem ever. I just dont get this.

Im not knowledgeable enough to physically take it apart. So, I dont know if its even heat related or not! ARGH :mad: :mad: :mad:

i have a pic of the laptop wit hthe keyboard off if that helps.