Hi everyone.
Complete Linux newbie here trying to start using Linux.
I have an issue with the keyboard in that the 3, e, d, and c keys are dead, they do nothing at all which means I can't even type in "settings" or "keyboard" to try to find the problem. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions, or am I better off throwing the laptop back at the guy who installed Linux and getting him to sort it out? Though honestly my faith in him is non existent, I'd probably be better of scrubbing and starting again.
I've had to use my windows pc to post here, the Linux I've got installed on the laptop is mint 20.3 xfce- 64 bit.iso and the machine in question is a hewlet packard pavillion with intel core i3 processor.
Any assistance would be very gratefully received.

That sounds like hardware problem. Have you tried plugging in another keyboard?

Or do you think it's linux related? Does it happen before you even boot (i.e. goto bios settings or grub command line and test it). How bout tty?

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Thanks for the tip, I've not tried another keyboard yet but If I can get the one from the pc attached to the lap top I'll give it a go. I'm not certain it's linux related but it was working fine when the Tech took the machine in and all he did was remove windows and instal linux. I guess it's very possible the keyboard went down in the mean time.
Thanks again.

It's not a Linux/software issue. That those keys are in a physical line is the clue - the issue is with the physical keyboard/wiring itself. Plugging in an external keyboard will confirm this.

It may just be bad luck of something that failed during the time that person had it, but it's also possible whilst replacing the OSes something was spilled on it, or maybe it happened during transit - in any case try searching for a video tutorial of how to clean the keyboard on your specific model of laptop and inspect it for physical damage.

If cleaning doesn't solve it, you (or someone you know) might still be able to repair it, otherwise you can probably find a replacement keyboard on Ebay (again, making sure the exact model matches).

Time to go down to the local store – or, online – and buy another keyboard!

I agree it's likely a hardware issue.

This is a long shot, especially since four keys are involved, but they are four in a diagonal row: You might try prying the keycaps off and seeing if some bits of debris might have slipped under the keys preventing proper contact when the keys are pressed.

I have had that happen a couple of times myself, but, admittedly, not to four keys at once.

While I agree that it looks like a hardware issue, there are tools to make quite sure: xev in X11 session, showkey in console is even better. If they register no events, keyboard can be safely considered dead.

A big thank you to everyone that posted replies. I have a new keyboard ordered, fingers crossed I can get everything sorted.

You can use the manual way to select them until. Something like ctrl or alt plus some number like that.

There might be an on-screen keyboard that you can activate and use the mouse to type the problematic keys. Might help with some of the troubleshooting while you wait for the new keyboard.

Having worked tech in a K-12 school, I can't tell you how many times people spilled liquids, crumbs, and even paperclips, and pretended not to know a thing.
Did your tech have any reason to open the laptop to upgrade/replace any parts? If so, it's possible they didn't properly reconnect the keyboard ribbon cable, which could lead to symptoms like what you stated.

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