Need help troubleshoot Commax 386 notebook

[brushworker]

Got this old 386sx notebook, rated "as is," on ebay recently, to mess around with.

Turning power on initiates all the right sounds. When booting, screen messages are barely visible, due to extremely dark screen. With great effort, I can make out words like "keyboard failure" and "starting MS Dos", and "Logitech vesa compatible video overlap". Can't quite tell if there's a c-prompt at bottom of screen. Keys do not respond, nor does a mouse.

What's the first thing to assume is wrong?
Is there hope? Also haven't figured out how to open it up, even after removing 4 screws.

[DaveLewis]

Pull all the labels etc off the bottom of the machine - sometimes they hide screws under them. I've also seen screws hidden under rubber plugs. When you're sure that you've gotten all of the screws out, insert a thin blade screwdriver between the case halves and pry very gently. You'll probably discover more screws as you see where the case isn't coming apart. Notebook/laptop cases are usually "snap together" types. If I got the machine apart I'd look for loose cables, a very dirty keyboard (soda or coffee spilled into it?) or loose connectors. I suspect that the display is about gone. If the machine has an external monitor port you might want to plug into that. Hopefully you didn't pay too much for this puppy.

Good luck

Might be a good time to practice "computer skeet". Throw it up and use a 12 gauge. #6 shot works pretty well.

[brushworker]

A 30 buck skeet-bird? Anyway, it's too heavy to throw up in the air. I will follow your suggestions tonight, see what develops. Thanks. Please stay tuned.

[brushworker]

Found 2 screws under rubber pad, removed keyboard. Thanks for your advice. Inside, found 16-wire tape brand new evidently never installed. Original wire tape connecting keyboard to motherboard probably removed but repairguy couldn't attach new tape to card on keybd since needs to be soldered with super fine iron, so he quit work.

When I powered up and hand-pressed the connection the screen came to life, other display lights lit, and it looks like this is the primary problem. Hopefully, prediction for computer-skeet way premature! Now to find a way to permanently connect tape to keyboard. Suggestions?

P.S. (Feeling good, so far.)