Keys not working & how to write, save, print documents without word ?

[Pairadocs]

Hope this is a simple one compared to some of the questions I see on this forum ! I have a Lenovo laptop that is about half way (?) through its' useful life. Really don't want to have to buy yet, but a couple keys are no longer working; a really frustrating problem. Little can be typed without letter "c", and letters "z" and "x" also don't work. Is the cost of taking this to a place like best buy to get these 3 letters working higher than buying a new laptop ? I am not a gamer, and no longer use business applications, so can get by with a $400 or so laptop for social media, email, and looking up things on the web. What to do ? Presently, using a wireless key board with the laptop, but that's a real pain when I want to pack up the lap top and take with ! Also another question, since I only write an occasional traditional letter or document, is there a less expensive alternative than purchasing word yearly, or, do alternatives make it impossible to read and print the documents I already have saved on the laptop that are written in Word ? Thanks all...... :bigbow:

[FenneyGuy]

Lenovo Laptop Key Replacement | Keyboard Keys | Keypad Keys (https://www.replacementlaptopkeys.com/lenovo/)

https://www.amazon.com/Laptop-replacement-keyboard-Lenovo-ThinkPad/dp/B00H4RU8OU

[JohnN]

I think some foiks have success in trying to clean out dust and stuff from their keyboard to get keys working but I can't say I've had much luck with that. And taking it into a computer repair place on an older pc is probably not cost effective.

My situation seems a lot like yours. while I ended up with an inexpensive on-sale 14" HP laptop (about $300), I seriously looked at Chromebooks which don't have much of a hard drive and so a bit less expensive. There are also used/remanufactured computers as an option.

Instead of Word and Excel, consider using Google's Docs and Sheets, and you store your file in a Google G-drive instead of a hard drive. They're free and almost identical in functionality.

You may get some better advice from tech-types, I'm just a run-of-the-mill user, but that's how I worked it out. Good luck, it's all a pain.

[retiredguy123]

There are several free software programs that will produce MS Word compatible documents. I would suggest downloading WPS Office. It's free.

[J1ceasar]

Open office is a free software program that has a word application as well as database and a calc program it is very largely used and very well supported and as I said free

[J1ceasar]

And if your keys don't seem to be working depending on the type of physical construction if it's not a rubber membrane you can get a can of air cleaner and spray underneath it's possibly dust

[J1ceasar]

Lastly there were many laptops for between $100 and $200 today brand new you can check them out at Walmart office Depot Staples and Best buy. Or you can buy a one or two year old laptop at walmart.com or eBay. As long as you don't need them for games over the internet or you're doing video editing they should be fine. If I were you I'd look for one that still has Windows seven as many people don't like Windows 10

[Catalina36]

I purchased a new HP laptop 14" screen on Amazon approx $310.00. I purchased Microsoft Office for $99.00 a year. Not happy with the new Office. Excel has changed so much from my older version I don't find it user friendly anymore.

[PoolBrews]

You can get a replacement keyboard on eBay for very little $$ ($20-$40), and the process to replace is available on the internet for nearly every model of laptop. It's typically a fairly easy process. Just a thought.

[villagetinker]

Last year I purchased the home version of office for my wife, this is the stand alone version it was around $100 if I remember correctly. I do not know if MS still offers this version.

[retiredguy123]

You can buy the 2019 version of MS Office for one device on Amazon for $124.99, or you can pay $69.99 per year for the Microsoft 365 subscription. I use the subscription because you can install it on multiple devices, the software is always up-to-date, and you get 1TB of cloud storage on OneDrive.

[rjm1cc]

open office free

[sunny56]

I have used open office for a few years. No problem. I do save all documents, spreadsheets, etc. as word, excel. You have that option with this program when you save. Product works fine.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

For word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software, I'd suggest OpenOffice or LibreOffice. OpenOffice is a product of Apache. LibreOffice is an offshoot of OpenOffice, produced by the Document Foundation.

Both are open source, free (though you can donate if you'd like, you don't get anything extra for the donation), and around 99.7% compatible in every way to Microsoft Office suite. I personally feel LibreOffice has more functionality than MS.

[wsachs]

You should also be able to download the Apple apps: Pages (Word), Numbers (Excel) and Keynote (PowerPoint) with an Apple ID for computer, iPad or iPhone. Free and work just as well as MS programs. Works on PC's cause it's web based. Free storage in iCloud too.

[davephan]

Most of the people answering your question seem to be confused! You said that your “c”, “x”, and “z” keys on your laptop keyboard do not work. People seem to be thinking that your Word software “Activation” key does not work.

One answer referred you to a link about repairing your keyboard, which is what you need to do.

However, there is a cheaper and easier solution to your problem. Simply plug in a USB keyboard, and use the USB keyboard for typing, not the built in laptop keyboard. The Microsoft type USB keyboards cost about $15 to $40. If you have a Mac laptop, you need a Matias brand Quiet Pro keyboard, which costs about $150.

Everyone who owns a laptop should also own a USB keyboard. It is far easier to type on a USB keyboard than an internal laptop keyboard. Another benefit to using a USB keyboard is that it will extend the lifetime of the internal laptop keyboard, since a lot of the wear and tear of the internal laptop keyboard will be shifted to the USB keyboard, which is much easier and cheaper to replace.

For me, typing on a laptop keyboard is a royal pain verses typing on a USB keyboard. Try the USB keyboard solution.

[MickeyStevens]

For word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software, I'd suggest OpenOffice or LibreOffice. OpenOffice is a product of Apache. LibreOffice is an offshoot of OpenOffice, produced by the Document Foundation.

Both are open source, free (though you can donate if you'd like, you don't get anything extra for the donation), and around 99.7% compatible in every way to Microsoft Office suite. I personally feel LibreOffice has more functionality than MS.

LibreOffice, I use it all the time and have not used MS Office in years.

[Dana1963]

Hope this is a simple one compared to some of the questions I see on this forum ! I have a Lenovo laptop that is about half way (?) through its' useful like. Really don't want to have to buy yet, but a couple keys are no longer working and a real frustrating problem. Little can be typed without letter "c", and letters "z" and "x" don't work. It the cost of taking this to a place like best buy to get these 3 letters working, higher than buying a new laptop ? I am not a gamer, and no longer use for business applications, so can get buy with a $400 or so laptop for social media, email, and looking up things on the web. What to do ? Presently, using a wireless key board with the laptop, but that's a real pain when I want to pack up the lap top and take with ! Also another question, since I only write an occasional traditional letter or document, is there a less expensive alternative than purchasing word yearly, or, do alternative make it impossible to read and print the documents I already have saved on the laptop that are written in Word ? Thanks all...... :bigbow:
I have used OpenOffice by Apache for years it’s FREE for Mac/Windows has Text Document, Spreadsheet, Presentation, Templets and more just like MSOffice
openoffice.org/download/

[spinner1001]

It is uncertain to know the odds of a successful repair, its cost, and its value without having someone knowledgeable actually look at your computer.

If your computer use is mainly writing documents (Microsoft Word), email, and internet browsing, and if low cost is important, then a Chromebook laptop is a good option assuming you have a solid internet connection when you use your computer. Amazon has Chromebook laptops as low as about $225. This path of very low cost likely leads you doing your document writing online using Google’s free cloud suite of office-type of applications including Google Docs. You can save your documents in the cloud with Google for no cost. With this path, cost and maintenance are very low. Again, you need a good internet connection.

If you need more features and convenience, or if low cost is not very important, you have very many options.

[Freeda]

If it were me I would definitely take it to UbreakIFix in Southern Trace and probably for no charge (that's been my experience several times) they will look at it and give you an opinion. A couple of times they have even fixed simple things for us on computers or phones and not charged us.

[JoelJohnson]

It sounds like you are a good candidate for a Chromebook. With a Chromebook you never have to worry about getting a virus, your documents and spreadsheets are backed up to the cloud with every keystroke . You Google Docs and Calc, which are compatible with Word and Excel. I've been using one for over 10 years. Then I converted my old laptop to Linux Mint, just in case I need something that the Chromebook won't do.

[davephan]

Most of the people answering your question seem to be confused! You said that your “c”, “x”, and “z” keys on your laptop keyboard do not work. People seem to be thinking that your Word software “Activation” key does not work.

One answer referred you to a link about repairing your keyboard, which is what you need to do.

However, there is a cheaper and easier solution to your problem. Simply plug in a USB keyboard, and use the USB keyboard for typing, not the built in laptop keyboard. The Microsoft type USB keyboards cost about $15 to $40. If you have a Mac laptop, you need a Matias brand Quiet Pro keyboard, which costs about $150.

Everyone who owns a laptop should also own a USB keyboard. It is far easier to type on a USB keyboard than an internal laptop keyboard. Another benefit to using a USB keyboard is that it will extend the lifetime of the internal laptop keyboard, since a lot of the wear and tear of the internal laptop keyboard will be shifted to the USB keyboard, which is much easier and cheaper to replace.

For me, typing on a laptop keyboard is a royal pain verses typing on a USB keyboard. Try the USB keyboard solution.

On your issue about carrying the laptop and wireless keyboard, simply use a backpack that can fit the keyboard and laptop.

If you don’t like that answer, then get your keyboard repaired, or buy a new laptop. Then next time, use the USB or wireless keyboard to extend the life of your repaired laptop keyboard or extend the life of your internal laptop keyboard of your replaced laptop.

If your Windows laptop is about 5 years old, it’s about time to replace the laptop anyway. If it’s a Mac laptop, you don’t need to replace it for about 10 years.

It’s unbelievable that people don’t seem to understand that your problem is a laptop hardware issue, not the Word software issue! However, I missed the part where you said that you were using a wireless keyboard to get around your broken internal laptop keyboard problem.

So, if you don’t want to spend the money to have your laptop keyboard repaired, or replace your laptop, then simply buy a nap sack or gym bag large enough to fit both the laptop and wireless keyboard, and stop complaining!

[celiarw]

I agree it may be easiest to buy a new laptop - I just got a new HP over Christmas. As for Word, Google Microsoft office and see what comes up. I got the Office Suite for a one time buy of $49 for the 3rd time. Great way to go!

[Pedrocarrasco01@yahoo.com]

Hope this is a simple one compared to some of the questions I see on this forum ! I have a Lenovo laptop that is about half way (?) through its' useful like. Really don't want to have to buy yet, but a couple keys are no longer working and a real frustrating problem. Little can be typed without letter "c", and letters "z" and "x" don't work. It the cost of taking this to a place like best buy to get these 3 letters working, higher than buying a new laptop ? I am not a gamer, and no longer use for business applications, so can get buy with a $400 or so laptop for social media, email, and looking up things on the web. What to do ? Presently, using a wireless key board with the laptop, but that's a real pain when I want to pack up the lap top and take with ! Also another question, since I only write an occasional traditional letter or document, is there a less expensive alternative than purchasing word yearly, or, do alternative make it impossible to read and print the documents I already have saved on the laptop that are written in Word ? Thanks all...... :bigbow:
Easiest way to help is to purchase a remote keyboard, some are wired others are Bluetooth, either way it would pass your current keyboard and use the remote unit. They are inexpensive, just make sure your laptop has a port available to use it.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

I think some foiks have success in trying to clean out dust and stuff from their keyboard to get keys working but I can't say I've had much luck with that. And taking it into a computer repair place on an older pc is probably not cost effective.

My situation seems a lot like yours. while I ended up with an inexpensive on-sale 14" HP laptop (about $300), I seriously looked at Chromebooks which don't have much of a hard drive and so a bit less expensive. There are also used/remanufactured computers as an option.

Instead of Word and Excel, consider using Google's Docs and Sheets, and you store your file in a Google G-drive instead of a hard drive. They're free and almost identical in functionality.

You may get some better advice from tech-types, I'm just a run-of-the-mill user, but that's how I worked it out. Good luck, it's all a pain.

I have a computer but spouse has an old Chromebook since all he does are emails and games. I would consider a referb mac. No need to pay for word programs, just a little work to get familiar with Apple os. I'll never go back, even tho I get a little annoyed with their updates. It's still better.

[pgettinger01]

Google has free applications similar to Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. All you need is a Gmail email account. They open Word documents. Maybe consider a Chromebook for about $200.

[bragones]

Regarding your request for suggestions on an alternative to Microsoft Office, try Libre Office. It is essentially a clone of MS Office and it is open software so it is free. As others have suggested, Open Office is also an alternative but at least for me, I found Open Office to be unstable. It would crash and I would lose updates/edits. I've been using Libre Office for years with no issues ; Home | LibreOffice - Free Office Suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft (http://www.libreoffice.org)

Regarding fixing your broken keyboard, personally, I would just update and replace with a new one but another alternative to replacing is to check Market of Marion. They sell fully loaded refurbished laptops cheap and they will help you transfer from old to replaced laptop.

[Linnberg]

Lastly there were many laptops for between $100 and $200 today brand new you can check them out at Walmart office Depot Staples and Best buy. Or you can buy a one or two year old laptop at walmart.com or eBay. As long as you don't need them for games over the internet or you're doing video editing they should be fine. If I were you I'd look for one that still has Windows seven as many people don't like Windows 10

While that may seem
Like a good idea, the problem
Is that. windows 7 is no longer supported and many newer programs will not run under Windows 7.

[PoolBrews]

Most of the people answering your question seem to be confused! You said that your “c”, “x”, and “z” keys on your laptop keyboard do not work. People seem to be thinking that your Word software “Activation” key does not work.

One answer referred you to a link about repairing your keyboard, which is what you need to do.

However, there is a cheaper and easier solution to your problem. Simply plug in a USB keyboard, and use the USB keyboard for typing, not the built in laptop keyboard. The Microsoft type USB keyboards cost about $15 to $40. If you have a Mac laptop, you need a Matias brand Quiet Pro keyboard, which costs about $150.

Everyone who owns a laptop should also own a USB keyboard. It is far easier to type on a USB keyboard than an internal laptop keyboard. Another benefit to using a USB keyboard is that it will extend the lifetime of the internal laptop keyboard, since a lot of the wear and tear of the internal laptop keyboard will be shifted to the USB keyboard, which is much easier and cheaper to replace.

For me, typing on a laptop keyboard is a royal pain verses typing on a USB keyboard. Try the USB keyboard solution.

Why would anyone add a USB keyboard when they can add a bluetooth or wireless keyboard? Same functionality and no cable.

BTW - The poster mentioned they already have a bluetooth keyboard, but wants to get the keyboard on the laptop repaired, if possible.

[Bill1701]

I would advise against taking it to Best Buy. I had a cracked screen and took it there to get an estimate. They would have to send it in and have it looked at before giving me an estimate to fix that. Cost for that was over $100 and it would take a couple weeks. I bought a new screen for $50 and replaced it myself. Lots of great videos on YouTube on how to work on laptops. It really does depend on your PC as to how hard it is to work on. Also, my broken one was a backup laptop so if I really broke it, it would not be a big loss.

[collie1228]

I use Open Office by Apache Software, a freeware program that's easy to download and use. It has a word program as well as a decent spreadsheet program and a presentation program too (thankfully I'm fully retired and don't need that!) It is compatible with MS Word, so you can use it with docs or spreadsheets previously created on Word.

[Arenoh]

A Chromebook is exactly what you need

[RoadToad]

Most of the people answering your question seem to be confused! You said that your “c”, “x”, and “z” keys on your laptop keyboard do not work. People seem to be thinking that your Word software “Activation” key does not work.

One answer referred you to a link about repairing your keyboard, which is what you need to do.

However, there is a cheaper and easier solution to your problem. Simply plug in a USB keyboard, and use the USB keyboard for typing, not the built in laptop keyboard. The Microsoft type USB keyboards cost about $15 to $40. If you have a Mac laptop, you need a Matias brand Quiet Pro keyboard, which costs about $150.

Everyone who owns a laptop should also own a USB keyboard. It is far easier to type on a USB keyboard than an internal laptop keyboard. Another benefit to using a USB keyboard is that it will extend the lifetime of the internal laptop keyboard, since a lot of the wear and tear of the internal laptop keyboard will be shifted to the USB keyboard, which is much easier and cheaper to replace.

For me, typing on a laptop keyboard is a royal pain verses typing on a USB keyboard. Try the USB keyboard solution.

You must have missed the part where the OP states he already uses a wireless keyboard. Doesn't need another keyboard method.
His issue is when going mobile he does not want the bulkiness of an external keyboard.
Repairing the existing keyboard is what OP desires.

[dadoiron]

There are several free software programs that will produce MS Word compatible documents. I would suggest downloading WPS Office. It's free.

I use it. It's similar and works fine.

[dadoiron]

And if your keys don't seem to be working depending on the type of physical construction if it's not a rubber membrane you can get a can of air cleaner and spray underneath it's possibly dust

Try this first before paying to fix.

[Alana33]

Would a folding keyboard work?
Top 10 Best Bluetooth Foldable Keyboards in 2021 Reviews | Guide (https://www.easygetproduct.com/best-bluetooth-foldable-keyboards/#Bluetooth_Foldable_Keyboards_Buyers_Guide)

[popbaby2]

I purchased a new HP laptop 14" screen on Amazon approx $310.00. I purchased Microsoft Office for $99.00 a year. Not happy with the new Office. Excel has changed so much from my older version I don't find it user friendly anymore.

Google docs and sheets are ready to use, compatible with MS Office and free. If you use gmail, you already have it available!

[Chris Kirk]

Hope this is a simple one compared to some of the questions I see on this forum ! I have a Lenovo laptop that is about half way (?) through its' useful like. Really don't want to have to buy yet, but a couple keys are no longer working and a real frustrating problem. Little can be typed without letter "c", and letters "z" and "x" don't work. It the cost of taking this to a place like best buy to get these 3 letters working, higher than buying a new laptop ? I am not a gamer, and no longer use for business applications, so can get buy with a $400 or so laptop for social media, email, and looking up things on the web. What to do ? Presently, using a wireless key board with the laptop, but that's a real pain when I want to pack up the lap top and take with ! Also another question, since I only write an occasional traditional letter or document, is there a less expensive alternative than purchasing word yearly, or, do alternative make it impossible to read and print the documents I already have saved on the laptop that are written in Word ? Thanks all...... :bigbow:

your keyboard sounds like you got some liquid on it, new keyboard should cost between 20 and 50 dollars, about 75 dollars to install, Libre Office is free clone of Microsoft Office and will read and write all Office documents, spreadsheets, etc. Good luck.

[rogerk]

Hope this is a simple one compared to some of the questions I see on this forum ! I have a Lenovo laptop that is about half way (?) through its' useful like. Really don't want to have to buy yet, but a couple keys are no longer working and a real frustrating problem. Little can be typed without letter "c", and letters "z" and "x" don't work. It the cost of taking this to a place like best buy to get these 3 letters working, higher than buying a new laptop ? I am not a gamer, and no longer use for business applications, so can get buy with a $400 or so laptop for social media, email, and looking up things on the web. What to do ? Presently, using a wireless key board with the laptop, but that's a real pain when I want to pack up the lap top and take with ! Also another question, since I only write an occasional traditional letter or document, is there a less expensive alternative than purchasing word yearly, or, do alternative make it impossible to read and print the documents I already have saved on the laptop that are written in Word ? Thanks all...... :bigbow:

I suggest MMD Computer in Lady Lake- just south of CR 466 on US 441. Much better, IMO, than big box retailers. A new keyboard will probably run about $200.

They can also offer some viable options if you decide to replace your existing machine. In my experience MMD knows their stuff and is not out to take advantage of those of us who are not tech savvy.

[Notsocrates]

Open Office is available at Ninite.com.
Lenovo makes bad products. My m720 lasted a few weeks. It was replaced last month by a m900 which also crashed --for the same reason, bad SSDs.

[nn0wheremann]

Hope this is a simple one compared to some of the questions I see on this forum ! I have a Lenovo laptop that is about half way (?) through its' useful like. Really don't want to have to buy yet, but a couple keys are no longer working and a real frustrating problem. Little can be typed without letter "c", and letters "z" and "x" don't work. It the cost of taking this to a place like best buy to get these 3 letters working, higher than buying a new laptop ? I am not a gamer, and no longer use for business applications, so can get buy with a $400 or so laptop for social media, email, and looking up things on the web. What to do ? Presently, using a wireless key board with the laptop, but that's a real pain when I want to pack up the lap top and take with ! Also another question, since I only write an occasional traditional letter or document, is there a less expensive alternative than purchasing word yearly, or, do alternative make it impossible to read and print the documents I already have saved on the laptop that are written in Word ? Thanks all...... :bigbow:
Just get a real computer keyboard and plug it in via USB.

[davephan]

You must have missed the part where the OP states he already uses a wireless keyboard. Doesn't need another keyboard method.
His issue is when going mobile he does not want the bulkiness of an external keyboard.
Repairing the existing keyboard is what OP desires.

Yes, I missed that part where the OP said that they had a wireless keyboard, when I first read the post. Since the OP solved the problem with the internal laptop keyboard, then the only decision is to live with the internal keyboard not working, and simply get a backpack or gym bag that will fit both the laptop and the external keyboard. Or, get the keyboard fixed on a laptop that is already at "end of life". Or, replaced the laptop with a new laptop.

The OP didn't mention if the laptop is a Windows laptop or a Mac laptop. If it's a Windows laptop, then now could be the opportunity to switch to a Mac laptop, and be free of all the headaches and security risks that are associated with the Windows laptops. It costs a lot more for the Mac laptop, but the Mac laptop is much better. It's like driving a Lexus or a Yugo. If the OP can afford it, I recommend the Mac laptop, which will be good for about 10 years, before it has to be replaced. Another thing to consider is your quality of life. If you can afford the better Mac laptop, why not buy it, instead of saving the extra money for the nursing home to gobble up, or the grandkids to waste on things like sports cars, that will get them into trouble.

[Pairadocs]

I think some foiks have success in trying to clean out dust and stuff from their keyboard to get keys working but I can't say I've had much luck with that. And taking it into a computer repair place on an older pc is probably not cost effective.

My situation seems a lot like yours. while I ended up with an inexpensive on-sale 14" HP laptop (about $300), I seriously looked at Chromebooks which don't have much of a hard drive and so a bit less expensive. There are also used/remanufactured computers as an option.

Instead of Word and Excel, consider using Google's Docs and Sheets, and you store your file in a Google G-drive instead of a hard drive. They're free and almost identical in functionality.

You may get some better advice from tech-types, I'm just a run-of-the-mill user, but that's how I worked it out. Good luck, it's all a pain.

Thank you so much, yes, sounds similar to my situation. Not familiar with Google G drive so definitely will begin a little research on that tonight ! Again, thanks..... Know Chicago well, originally from Peoria !~ Kids live in Marina Towers now....