Keyboard key fail Microsoft Ergonomic 4000

My mother bought me a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 last year for Christmas. She has passed away this last September. This keyboard which now has incredibly immense sentimental value to me now has its, well the key between the Z and the C keys fail. I'm beside myself pissed about this. There is no reason this $50 keyboards key should fail within a year. I've had far cheaper keyboards for YEARS and none of the keys have failed. I've of course taken the key our and checked it for crap. Its clean. I've even pressed down on the little plastic plunger down in there with no response. Rebooted PC, etc. Tried the key with different programs. It seems to be a total key failure.

I am furious and just wanted to vent.

I've let Microsoft know of the situation. It will be interesting what they have to say for themselves, if anything.

MS keyboards are normally reliable. But anything can fail, that's just a fact of life, and sometimes expensive things fail. Hopefully MS will sort you out, as it's in the warranty period.

the problem is my mother didnt give me a receipt for it or even a gift receipt. If they wont bend without a receipt of some kind, though I have all original packaging, I'm willing to pay up to $20 or so to give them the benefit of the doubt and have it sent in for servicing.

One thing to keep in mind is that even if they let you send it to be "fixed", odds are at least even money they will just replace the whole keyboard, since it would cost them more to fix than replace.

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Originally Posted by jdc2000

One thing to keep in mind is that even if they let you send it to be "fixed", odds are at least even money they will just replace the whole keyboard, since it would cost them more to fix than replace.

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I understand that. Not much else to do for it though.

Microsoft just got back to me. It looks like they are going to replace the keyboard sight unseen. They have not asked me for a receipt, or for the defective keyboard back, etc. Just my physical address and phone number.

So it looks promising. We'll see how it turns out.

Here's a copy of the email for anyone intersted:

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Hello Chris,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Hardware Technical Support.

My name is Carol and I will help you with the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.

As I understand, the keyboard does not work and you have tried on another computer and still experiencing the same issue and would like to get a replacement. Please let me know if the above information is inaccurate.

Chris, after reviewing the case, it seems that the keyboard has gone defective.

Please provide us the following details in order to provide replacement:

1. Your Mailing Address (Including the Zip Code).
2. Phone number.
3. Product Name.
4. First and Last Name.

I will request you to please fill all the details required to process your application, Microsoft will not be held responsible incase the shipment is delayed/ undelivered due to incorrect information provided

When we receive this information we will review and begin the Replacement Process for your device. I will place the order and write back to you with the Order Details.

Please note that we will need the phone number to callback in case of any issues with the shipping of the product and also in some cases to confirm delivery of the product. Without the phone number, the order cannot be processed.

This service is available only for the residents of United States and Canada. The order Help desk will not able to ship replacement products to any address outside of the United States and Canada. We will not be able to ship the devices to any PO Box address.

Please note that under normal circumstances if the device is available for replacement you should be receiving the replacement within 8-10 days. In case the device is out of stock, it may take a bit longer than expected.

To obtain product replacements outside of United States and Canada, contact the Microsoft Subsidiary closest to your location. International support options can be found at: http://support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx

Chris, if you have any further questions or need clarifications, please let me know, I will be glad to assist you.

Carol
Microsoft Product Support Services

To provide additional feedback or to explore more support options, please visit the Microsoft Help and Support website at: http://support.microsoft.com/hardware

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I thought they would be OK about it, MS have a pretty good rep for that sort of thing :)