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A strange Thinkpad thing...computer stacking puts keyboards into comas

Started 4 months ago | Discussions
RDKirk Forum Pro • Posts: 16,541
A strange Thinkpad thing...computer stacking puts keyboards into comas

So, I've got these three Thinkpad Yoga X380s that I'm setting up.

I have them stacked upon each other on my desk.

Interesting...powering on the computer at the top of the stack...the keyboard and touchpad are inoperative. A connected mouse works, but none of the keys on the computer work.

I remove that computer from the stack, set it directly on the desk beside the stack...and the keyboard suddenly comes alive.

Put it back on the stack, and the keyboard is dead again.

The same is true with each of the computers: Stacked, the keyboards are dead, off the stack, the keyboards work fine. I rotate them through the stack, check each one when it's on top...all the same action.

Any ideas about that?

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RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'

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OP RDKirk Forum Pro • Posts: 16,541
Answer found: The Hall Sensor Card
2

The computers have a little magnet switch in the front right edge of the lower chassis. That card apparently switches off the keyboard when the lid is closed or turned fully back into tablet position.
So, when they are stacked, the hall sensor card of the computer below is affecting the computer above.

Moving the top computer off the stack--or even turning it 90 degrees while on the stack--allows the keyboard to switch back on.

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RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'

 RDKirk's gear list:RDKirk's gear list
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