Keypad Troubles

[spynappels]

Hi guys,

I'm a newbie here, so go easy on me!

I've been given a Treo 650, but it has some keypad issues. Some keys need to be pushed very hard to make them work and the backlight only works intermittently. From reading on this and other forums, I reckon I need a new keypad membrane. This is where my questions start.
My Treo has a AZERTY keypad (I don't know why) and I'm wondering whether the key arrangement is controlled by the membrane itself or by a software setting inside the unit. I want to know whether I can just buy a new membrane on eBay and fit it, or whether the membrane I buy will be a QWERTY type, there is no info on this on the auction page. I presume if the membrane is of the QWERTY type, I'll just have to get a new set of buttons for the keypad too, am I correct?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Regards, Stefan

[TazUk]

Originally Posted by spynappels

...I'm wondering whether the key arrangement is controlled by the membrane itself or by a software setting inside the unit.

It's controlled by a software setting, when you do a hard reset it asks you to press a couple of keys and uses this information to determine the keyboard layout.

[LotusLord]

Originally Posted by spynappels

I want to know whether I can just buy a new membrane on eBay and fit it, or whether the membrane I buy will be a QWERTY type, there is no info on this on the auction page. I presume if the membrane is of the QWERTY type, I'll just have to get a new set of buttons for the keypad too, am I correct?

The 650 has a QWERTY keyboard by default. I'll be honest though, it's more likely that it's the keyboard circuit board, not the membrane itself. The backlights and key switches are all on this board. I strongly recommend checking out the Cellular Nationwide Network Store. I ordered this part and did the replacement my self, following the instructions for replacing the screen found here I hope this helps.

[spynappels]

Thanks guys,

That PCB is the same thing I have seen referred elsewhere as the membrane kit, so at least I know I'm on the right track now.
As far as the AZERTY keypad goes, that was the keypad I got on the unit. QWERTY may be the default, but mine is not default then.

It's controlled by a software setting, when you do a hard reset it asks you to press a couple of keys and uses this information to determine the keyboard layout.

I did a hard reset on my Treo, but it did not ask me to press any buttons or recalibrate the digitiser or anything. Does this mean that I did not do a proper hard reset? Would it be better to do a Zero-Out Reset?

I'm hoping that when I replace my PCB, I'll still be able to use my current keypad configuration, not because I like it specifically but because I cannot really afford to spend more money on getting another set of keys.

[TazUk]

Originally Posted by spynappels

QWERTY may be the default, but mine is not default then.

The keyboard layout differs depending on the country it was designed for, AZERTY is used in France, Belgium and possibly other countries too

Does this mean that I did not do a proper hard reset?

Yep.

[spynappels]

Well, this is a turn up for the books! Was just checking how easy it would be to replace the keypad, but I found that the keypad worked fine when I squeezed the bottom RH corner. It turned out that the little screw was loose and when I tightened the screw the keypad works perfectly! WooHoo!

[LotusLord]

Wow. That is great. Good work fixing it without any expense.