External keyboard on laptop - disable laptop keyboard?

[mik]

Can this be done?

Eldest miklet managed to spill beer onto his keyboard. Now using an external one, so all keys work, but screen brightness button on laptop appears to be on permanently.

I can’t see a way to switch the laptop keyboard off when an external one is plugged in

[scotta]

You could try diluting the beer with cats piss.

[mik]

I have no cats to milk.

Will set some traps.

[scotta]

I have no cats to milk.

Will set some traps.

Plan.

[Jobbo]

The key backlight is on, or the button acts as if it's permanently pressed?

[Jobbo]

BTW, I clicked on this thread because I am annoyed that Logitech haven't come up with a USB-C version of their unifying receiver. Means I need a dock/port expander to use my external keyboard and mouse with my new laptop. Though since Dell omitted an HDMI socket too, I at least have two reasons to use a dock/port expander

[mik]

The key backlight is on, or the button acts as if it's permanently pressed?

The “reduce brightness” button is permanently pressed. So he is peering at a very dull screen.

[jamcg]

Remove the key and drill through the pick up. All the way through

[DeskJockey]

What's the cost of a replacement keyboard? They're normally not very expensive and quite easy to fit. Alternatively could you just take the ribbon cable out? Generally can't disable the internal keyboard as far as I know.

[scotta]

What's the cost of a replacement keyboard? They're normally not very expensive and quite easy to fit. Alternatively could you just take the ribbon cable out? Generally can't disable the internal keyboard as far as I know.

Yeah that all sounds plausible but i think you'll find my suggestion about cats piss is cheaper and more effective.

[mik]

Gotta be worth a “try this first”

[scotta]

I believe @Jobbo has many cats from which to farm piss.

[DeskJockey]

What's the cost of a replacement keyboard? They're normally not very expensive and quite easy to fit. Alternatively could you just take the ribbon cable out? Generally can't disable the internal keyboard as far as I know.

Yeah that all sounds plausible but i think you'll find my suggestion about cats piss is cheaper and more effective.

I'll take your word for it, gave up technical IT roles over a decade ago. If you tell me that's now the gold(en) standard for repairs then so be it!

[mik]

I’m in.

Urine.

We’re all in.

[mr_jon]

Check the bios whether you can disable the keyboard or just the hot keys.

[Jobbo]

I believe @Jobbo has many cats from which to farm piss.

I do indeed. £50 a thimbleful. It’s quite hard to extract.

[scotta]

I believe @Jobbo has many cats from which to farm piss.

I do indeed. £50 a thimbleful. It’s quite hard to extract.

@mik Thats a good deal - you'll need at least 3 thimbles. order an extra in-case. Always handy to have.

[scotta]

I believe @Jobbo has many cats from which to farm piss.

I do indeed. £50 a thimbleful. It’s quite hard to extract.

Have you tried asking forum experts for advice - its an in house skill we excel at.

[Jimmy Choo]

Have you tried cleaning it? It sounds like the beer has dried to a sticky gunk so pop the key off, dissolve the beer gunk with contact cleaner, poke with a cotton bud and put it back together?

[Jobbo]

I believe @Jobbo has many cats from which to farm piss.

I do indeed. £50 a thimbleful. It’s quite hard to extract.

Have you tried asking forum experts for advice - its an in house skill we excel at.

I hope Beany is not an expert and sticks to Cillit Bang and Toilet Duck.