keyboard no workie

[sp0om]

Bought what i thought was a hp keyboard, but ended up being a compaq. It was advertised as being compatible with my 2200, but it doesnt seem to be working. I installed the drivers, and enabled the keyboard, but still no luck.

Any suggestions?

[OSUKid7]

What type of keyboard? Serial, IR, or bluetooth?

[sp0om]

serial. It just plugs into the bottom of the ipaq unit.

http://www.creativemods.com/ebay/keyboard.JPG

I would take a picture of it, but i couldnt find my cf card for my digital camera. so i took a screenshot of the tutorial movie showing how the keyboard unfolds.

[Robb Bates]

I have the Compaq foldable keyboard working with my h2210. Looks just like the picture. The Compaq and HP keyboards are the same animal. They just have different brand names on them from when the iPaqs were made by Compaq.

Did you download the v3.03 drivers from the HP 2210 support site? Don't use v3.05 since it's Japanese.

If so, it should work.

Robb

[sp0om]

just put the v3.03 driver on my ppc and still nothing... any other ideas?

[Robb Bates]

You did do a soft reset, yes?

Does it make a "biddle-de-dink" connection sound? (don't laugh at my sound effects!)

Robb

[sp0om]

hehe. beedle dee boop.

well, there was no beedle dee boop and yes, i had already soft resetted. im not going to give up so quickly. i took a look at the connection, and it seemed to be less than satisfactory. there seems to be a bit of a gap between the 2200 and the connector thingie. perhaps a picture would do a better job of getting my point across:

http://www.creativemods.com/ebay/gap.JPG

[ctmagnus]

If the connectors are compatible you should only have to file down the outer edges of the part that the iPaq sits on, in order to make it work.

[dunneldeen]

If the connectors are compatible you should only have to file down the outer edges of the part that the iPaq sits on, in order to make it work.

I agree, that's what I did and it works great. HOWEVER, if his keyboard is broken, doing so will probably invalidate any warrenty that the keyboard has. I was able to get it working before I filed off the tabs, but not very well.

[sp0om]

I was considering doing that. See the thing is, i bought this on eBay, and im starting to feel like I got taken. Filing this down would ruin my chances of getting my money back.

how about you Robb Bates? did you also file those nubs down?

[Robb Bates]

Mine has the same gaps, but I did not have to do any filing.

I'm starting to think your keyboard is no good.

If you're electronically inclined, I'd suggest taking it apart and looking for any obvious damage. There are several flexible printed circuit boards in that thing. Too many flexes and they can crack.

Double check all your settings.

Other than that, I have no ideas. Let's hope you covered your backside with this purchase!

Robb

[Robb Bates]

Did you use this driver (http://h18007.www1.hp.com/support/files/HandheldiPAQ/us/download/19635.html)?

And you've enabled the driver in the iPAQ Foldable Keyboard utility?

Is there anything else that would disable/take over/hinder the serial port?

Robb

[Robb Bates]

Do you have the Micro Keyboard too? Do they play together nicely? What about some third party Input Panel? I wonder how that would affect it.

OK, that's it... I'm out of ideas.

Robb

[Robb Bates]

OK, a few more ideas.

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the keyboard driver.

And look at the mating contacts on both your PPC and the keyboard. I've always thought they were rather flimsy and could crack easily.

Robb

[sp0om]

If you're electronically inclined, I'd suggest taking it apart and looking for any obvious damage. There are several flexible printed circuit boards in that thing. Too many flexes and they can crack.

I will try to get a refund before trying this

Double check all your settings.

settings like what? do i have to manually make my ppc recognize the keyboard? i do have the keyboard enabled in the driver. is there more to it?

Did you use this driver ?

yup, the exact one

And you've enabled the driver in the iPAQ Foldable Keyboard utility?

i sure did. actually i didnt, because the keyboard was enabled as a default

Is there anything else that would disable/take over/hinder the serial port?

not that i can think of. the serial port has worked perfectly so far on my ppc.

Do you have the Micro Keyboard too?

nope.

Try uninstalling and reinstalling the keyboard driver.

did it. still nothing.

And look at the mating contacts on both your PPC and the keyboard. I've always thought they were rather flimsy and could crack easily.

are you talking about that little long strip/plate thing in the ppc connector? if so, its looking fine to me. it still can connect with my computer using the cradle.

i gotta charge my batteries, then i will take some pictures of these mating ports for you all to look at.

[sp0om]

WOAH WOAH WOAH. new development. i just discovered a little ac adapter hole on the side of the keyboard. I plugged in my power adapter, and popped my ppc onto the keyboard and the battery charges (the light is blinking). so that means that there is a connection! but still, my keyboard doesnt work.

[sp0om]

Well, I appreciate all of the help (especially from you mr. bates), but it turns out that this unit just does not work. I contacted the eBay seller and all he told me to go to HP tech support. Apparently, the keyboard is under warranty, so I can get it fixed. But isn't HP support an absolute nightmare? I think it might be easier on me if i just try to give this guy hell for selling me a broken product and buy a new one. if not easier, it would be a whole lot more satisfying :twisted:

[milkman dan]

its nto your problem to take a defective unit to repair, unless it is stated AS IS in the ebay auction. If he refuses to give you back your money, leave negative feedback, and give ebay a hollar, they will give you credit. <3 ebay

[Robb Bates]

Bad unit? Awwww RATS! Big fat hairy ones!!!

Well, keep us updated on how things turn out.

Robb

[sp0om]

its nto your problem to take a defective unit to repair, unless it is stated AS IS in the ebay auction. If he refuses to give you back your money, leave negative feedback, and give ebay a hollar, they will give you credit. <3 ebay

damn right its not my problem. This guy did not include any 'as is' condition in his listing. I'll let him know that, and if he doesnt give me a refund, I'll contact ebay right away.

thanks for letting me know about that whole as is condition. I would have not even thought of it otherwise.