Pinebook 14" keyboard misses keypresses UPDATE

[MarkHaysHarris777]

          


Ok,  I finally got to plug the old style keyboard module into the Pinebook for power-on testing;  as expected the old style keyboard module ( with longer key travel ) completely eliminates the missing keypress issue !  



So, on the one hand,  the missing keypress issue is entirely hardware related to the new style keyboard module assembly;  it is NOT firmware or software related and its not about placing extra "stiffiness" into the case ( padding hacks will only damage the Pinebook ! ).  Its all about the superior bubble domes and larger key travel in the old style module !

Having said that,  I got a BIG FAT surprise too;  which is apparently firmware related !

On my original bad keyboard module the Alt keys are completely dead;  both of them, left & right;  and, this from day one-- they didn't die, they just never worked.  On the old style keyboard module ( swapped in today for power-on testing )  BOTH Alt keys are ALSO dead !   That blew me away.

So the dead keys issue is NOT the module, matrix, ffc cable, fpc connector, or defective bubble domes;  this is all about either a defect in the 8051 ( MCU for key scan ) or the firmware that produces scancodes for the kernel from the 8051 !  

I do intend to swap out the keyboard module because then I'll be able to type on it !  The keyboard can be remapped for Alt key functionality until we figure out how to flash the firmware to the 8051.

The left pic clearly shows the fpc connector;  these are very fragile !  when lifting that snap bar, be very careful.

The pic on the right is the old style keyboard module being connected for subsequent power-on testing.  I used xev, evtest, and showkey to test every key on the keyboard at center, edges, and corners;  both Alt keys are still dead, but the missing keypress issue is resolved !