Zbook 15 and 17 Keyboard not working properly

[mb1106]

Hello,

i have two models HP Zbook 1st Generation, one 15" and one 17".

For both models i have the problem that the built-in keyboard is not working properly. If i press certain keys, they do not react, sometimes they do, but mostly they don't. Keeping the key hit willl sometimes result into the letter appearing after some seconds. This problem is NOT related to Windows or any OS topics as the issue also occurs from BIOS diagnostics menu. For example, the F1..F12 keys or the arrow keys barely work and i have to hit each key several times in order to have the system react to at least one button press. I also tried Win10, Win8 and Linux, the problem is present for all OSes.

This is no mechanical or electrical defect, i suppose. It more feels like the keyboard controller is permanently busy, or does not react. I really guess that this may have come with some kind of BIOS update. Unfortunately, HP made it impossible to select older BIOS versions to flash so i am unable to recover an older BIOS version to test it. I was able to do one roll-back from 1.47 to 1.45, so currently sticking on L70_0145, but not able to go beyond.

As it happens for both the Zbook 15 and Zbook 17, i suppose HP messed up some crucial internal BIOS code that is in touch with the internal keyboard's controller.

Does anyone have had the same experience, and maybe a solution for it? I'm quite unhappy because the two machines were extremely expensive at the time and would still do a really great job - if they were usable!

Best reagards