mini 9 dead keys ?

Other than it being a non-US keyboard that looks exactly like the one on my Mini 9 after I had the keyboard replaced.  My original keyboard had a slightly different layout.  I've found on my Mini that while those particular keys don't work, they glyph they are supposed to display are still an option ... just not where you'd expect them.

Working left-to-right, top to bottom from your picture ...

... the keys to the right of P should be accessable via Fn+Y, Fn+U, Fn+I, Fn+O, Fn+[minus] and Fn+[plus] (the last two being the keys between zero and the backspace key, its a minus and plus on a US keyboard not sure of the name for the first key in your picture).

... the key next to page up should be accessable via Fn+Q and Fn+W.

... the key immediately right of the spacebar is the same as the one right below the backspace key on my keyboard.  That makes it the Fn+[minus] and Fn+[plus] keys, however, since the two keys (right of spacebar and below backspace) are different in your picture I'm not sure which one you will get from Fn+[minus] and Fn+[plus].

... the [Alt Gr] key I've never figured out, so it may actually be a dead key.  I believe it is just an alternate [alt] key, but could be mistaken.

... the Function keys (from a standard full sized keyboard) are Fn+A,S,D,F,G,H,J,K,L,: with Fn+Z as F11 and Fn+X as F12.  You may need to do a BIOS update to get the last two to work (the A02 update added F11 and F12 on my US system).

If you open up Word or equivalent, you should be able to figure out which keys do what by just holding the Fn key down and pressing all the rest of the keys in turn.  Its not the best way to figure this out, but it is one way to do so.

Hi!

I have the exact same problem since i got my mini 9 back from dell after a failed bios update.

My dell has german keyboard layout, but the keys on the exact same places dont work.

I did already send it back to dell and got it back today. The notice said that everything is repaired again but the problem is still there.

I will call again tomorrow. Did you have any luck solving the problem.

Klausi, does your Mini 9 have the same key layout as before you sent it in, or was the original keyboard replaced with the exact same version but those keys fail to work?

I've found the answer to this problem!

Here : http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/replacement-keyboard-more-normal-p10917.html#p10917

I copy/paste the message here  :

"For those getting a "new" keyboard, you'll have to reconfigure your motherboard in order to be able to use it.

Let me explain : I bricked (BIOS flash failure) my Mini9 2 weeks ago. It was sent to Dell support and I got it back with new motherboard (and new LCD, new palmrest, missing BT but that's another story) and a half working keyboard...

Some keys (alt-gr, <>, *µ, $£ ²) were not working.

I got a support technician to come home today to fix this.

He changed the keyboard : same issue.
He changed the motherbord : same issue.
We tried under Linux (booted from USB) : same issue.
We flashed to A02 : same issue.

Then we discovered a little paper in the new motherboard box. This is what the paper says :

Setting keyboard matrix
1. Turn off your computer
2. If your computer is connected to the ac adapter, disconnect the ac adapter from the computer
3. Press and hold the following key combination for the desired keyboard matrix :
_ United States : <Fn><S>
_ United Kingdom : <Fn><K>
_ Japan : <Fn><J>
_ Korea : <Fn><E>
4. Connect the ac adapter to the computer then plug it into a wall outlet or surge protector
5. Release the key combination

It appears than <Fn><K> (the United Kingdom combination) is actually the working combination also for the french keyboard (that as the same layout than the "new US keyboard").

If you don't do this, some key might not work.

Obviously, the tech changed the motherboard and keyboard of Mini9 today for no good reason : if the previous tech guy (in the support center) had done his job correctly, I would have had a "working" keyboard..."

Thanks a lot, that did the trick!

You saved me a lot of time!

For no reason my motherboard was swapped once and the keyboard twice .

I wish I had heard about this sooner.  I'll have to give it a try and see if it 'fixes' my dead keys (/me crosses fingers).

LAUHAU, please let us know the SPECIAL PASSWORD the Dell Tech gave you.. I have that problem too

Many Thanks