One key not functioning - will I need a new keyboard or might there be an easy fix?

[Oliver Webber]

This is my first post, and I have searched for solutions to this without coming across a definitive answer.
I have a macbook air which I bought on ebay a few months ago - it was a few months old when I bought it. I am absolutely delighted with it in general (I was a PC user until then...) but a few days ago the number eight key stopped working. The rest of the keyboard still works fine. As far as I know nothing has been spilt on the keyboard but I suppose it's not out of the question that some crumbs or something have got in...
Anyway, I have an appointment at the Apple store in a few days, but I'd be really grateful for some informed opinion about what to expect.
For example, is this likely to require replacement of the keyboard? If so, am I right in thinking that with the Air that would involve replacing the whole upper body (if that's the right description) as keyboard, trackpad etc all seem to be one unit.
And if so, is that the kind of job that involves the machine being sent away - or are they likely to be able to fix it in store?

If anyone has any experience of this type of issue I'd be really grateful for any advice!

Many thanks for your patience with a Mac newbie's questions!

Oliver

 

[r.j.s]

Is all your software up to date?

 

[ProstheticHead]

Well, if it is under a year old (or under Applecare), nothing was spilled on it, and you have not in any other way inflicted physical harm to it, you'll get a warranty fix for free.

Most likely this would involve a ship out, couple days of downtime, ship back situation.

You don't need to replace the entire top case in the air. From my understanding the keyboard is mounted from the bottom, thus you can open it and remove the keyboard by itself. It seems it would be an impractical and foolish set up to require the entire top case to be removed.

I'm not entirely positive on this, but the keyboard assembly in the air resembles the assembly used in all the MBP laptops. If this is the case, knowing that Apple has been working on performing overnight repairs on site, you could be in luck and have a swift repair performed.

Typically if a key becomes completely unresponsive it is a bad keyboard situation, though you can always try applying the most recent updates. A glitch could be interfering.

 

[Oliver Webber]

Keyboard problem - sorted by Apple

Thanks for your replies: I took it to Apple, and despite being out of warranty, they fixed it for free! It took 2 weeks but has been returned good as new with a whole new upper body (so track pad too.)
I thought this might be useful for other readers to know.
Thanks again
Oliver

 

[CaoCao]

Thanks for your replies: I took it to Apple, and despite being out of warranty, they fixed it for free! It took 2 weeks but has been returned good as new with a whole new upper body (so track pad too.)
I thought this might be useful for other readers to know.
Thanks again
Oliver

This is why you go with Apple not Dell (their CSR was so crappy that they decided to verbally abuse a workstation customer )