PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Help! Tech S.O.S (Off topic) I press the N key and the computer types W

I realize that, it was just interesting to me that they just happen to be mirrors of each other non binary speaking.

Got the email notice about this. It is weird that he would not just take another day and keep you where you were bringing in customers. Unless he wants to play every day? Anyway, hope it works out. My job may be taking me towards St. Lucie, so that would be good for me. Of course you are working/playing while I am working during those hours.

He has 7 nights of entertainment, his wife does 4 nights, and the others are covered by people who have been with him much longer than we have, so it's proper that they get loyalty.

I suspect he has been running the business end of the venue and is just missing performing. I can't say as I blame him, and I appreciate the extra effort he made to make sure we were still gigging somewhere else. Nobody has ever done that for us before.

We had a 12 year running gig at another competitor. COVID came, new owners bought the old place, and they don't know what kind of money we brought in because the old owners used a 'simplified accounting method' (we got cash, which I of course reported to the IRS as this is what I do for a living).

The new owners decided to hire single acts that do sonic wallpaper. I wish them luck, I hope it works for them, and I hold no ill feelings.

I've been in this biz long enough to know gigs come and go, and it isn't a big deal when someone wants a change. 12 years, once per week, in the same venue was a good ride.

Covid was the 13th year, so I guess in this case 13 was unlucky. Now we are working on #14 with the same afternoon party, but at a new venue, and the manager seems excited to host us.

We also did 20 years at a particular Yacht Club, two evenings per month. A new manager comes in and the first thing he did was change all the entertainers. I don't think too much about losing the gig, I found replacements, I do think fondly of the 20-year run and the friends we made with the club members.

Thanks to lingering COVID variants, we are still only doing outdoor gigs. I've refused a couple of indoor gigs which I think were risky to my health. I'd rather err on the safe side.

We have an RV resort that we gig at twice a month, and have been doing that for quite a few years. It has 900 pads and in the winter 600 are filled by Canadians, mostly from Quebec. They are just starting to trickle in. Nice people. We missed them and hope that they don't get called back to Canada due to omicron.

I'm glad to be gigging after 1.5 years off due to the plague. I'm not gigging as much as I am used to, but at least I'm getting my ya-yas out and making a few bucks.

Life is the perfect way to pass the time of day, and gigging is Mrs.Notes and my second favorite thing to do.

Insights and incites by Notes ♫

I got a chance to reboot the other computer in the non-Windows mode. It's the keyboard.

I haven't decided if I am just going to use the USB keyboard or try to fix it with a 40-some dollar aftermarket replacement. It depends on how much hassle the USB keyboard turns out to be.

It's my first ThinkPad hardware failure. And so far I've gotten excellent use out of it.

Notes ♫

Well I can't say I didn't expect that, but it was worth a shot.

Keyboard replacement on most Thinkpads is usually straightforward - My old X220 only required 2 screws to swap it. Of course, depending on how old said Thinkpad is, buying a cheap used replacement might be the cost of the keyboard itself. What model of Thinkpad is it?

L540. I usually get the T series, but when I needed one, they had this big sale on the L series, so I got it.

It has served me well for 9 years running, so I can't complain.

I see replacement keyboards on Amazon from about $35 to $50, and I suspect taking one out and putting the other in wouldn't be too difficult.

I'm sure there is a YouTube video that shows how

Notes ♫

I'm sure there are several to show you how not to as well!!!

Joe

If $35-50 is worth keeping the machine, it might be worth a try. On my previous Thinkpads it was VERY easy to change.

Here's the hardware maintenance manual for that machine: https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/l440_l540_hmm_en_sp40a26004.pdf

It seems to be 6 screws and 1 ribbon connector to replace the keyboard, so assuming it is in fact the keyboard itself (which seems very likely) then that should do it for you.

Thanks!

I'm over 90% sure it's the keyboard as the on-screen keyboard works, an external USB keyboard works, and in the DOS-Like non-Windows mode the same problem arises.

The computer itself probably has years of service left for the function I'm using it for now.

Decembers are busy, the first two weeks of January are usually slower, so it seems like the time to put one of those aftermarket keyboards in.

I suspect the more expensive ones would be better, but I'll investigate reviews first. One nice thing about ThinkPad keyboards is they feel nice under my fingers.

Notes ♫

Yeah I'm pretty certain it's the keyboard as well - my only thought being if it happens to be a problem with the PS/2 bus as that's how Thinkpads connect the keyboard and mouse. I'd say chances of that are slim to none though.

I agree, Thinkpads are usually among the best keyboards going, and is a large part of why I buy them.