Hey again guys,
I have another problem, this time more physically based. As I was typing a few days ago, my E key broke off. There are 2 pieces AFAIK to it: the little white plastic piece that goes under the metal clips on the actual keyboard, and the black key cap that has the letter on it and attaches to the white clip. Now, as I was trying to get the white clip back under the metal clips just now, I accidentally broke it. Do computer repair stores usually have replacement parts like this, or is it a special order I have to do with HP? Im waiting on a quote via email, but I dont know if he'll be able to do it. So, is there some way to repurchace just the key, and is there some special way to put it back on that Im just not getting?

Thanks,
Connor

Is this the keyboard of a laptop? or just a normal keyboard?

If it's a laptop - you'll have to get it looked at by a HP certified repairer.
If it's a desktop - you can buy a new keyboard as cheaply as bird seed.

I dont think I've ever seen a computer shop/any shop selling individual keys.

My possibly pointless response: Besides the alphanumeric keys, your keyboard normally has function keys (F1-F12) as well as others that are all the same size as the alphanumerics.

If I were to accidentally ruin my 'E' key, I'd just pop off one of the useless (to me) keys from elsewhere on the board and use it as a replacement. In my current situation, the first I'd use is the 'insert' key...cuz I never intentionally use it...and constantly do by accident, wrecking havoc with Emails I type.

At this very moment, my brand new keyboard of just three months age is without it's insert key and it's caps lock key. As soon as it arrived, I popped them off and tossed them in a drawer. Nothing angers me more than accidentally activating either and not realizing it's on 'til three sentences later...but I type looking down at the keys, not the screen.

As I said....possibly pointless post.

Good thinking...only problem that i can see there...if it's a "good" keyboard...such as microsoft or logitech...most of their upper market keyboards have different shaped buttons all over the keyboard so it's not a possibility.

Yea, I should have said 'usually' instead of 'normally'.

I usually don't go for those 'off-standard' artsy-fartsy keyboards with curvy, swoopy lines, built-in wrist rests, coffee warmers...DNA sample screening... and so on. I like 'em flat, rectangular, and with lots of regular ol' square keys.

Kinda like cell phones that can text message, Email, play MP3s, take pictures...but still can't get good signal unless I'm standing next to a pay phone with a pocket full of quarters.

I subscribe to the 'K.I.S.S.' rule. 'Keep It Simple, Stupid!' My kingdom for a cell phone that reliably makes phone calls- that's what I'm waiting for! I already own a camera.

...but that's just me.