Stuck shift key --

is it okay to try to fix it myself, and where would I find instructions on how to do it?

-

you're likely to have real difficulties

If it's a desktop, decent keyboards can be had in the $15 range

I assume you probably know that so we're probably talking about a laptop. Laptop keyboards can be a pain: sometimes they're relatively easy to remove -- but then they can also be difficult to reinstall or replace. Google the model; you might be able to locate a manual. Or googling the model with some other phrase like "stuck key" may lead you to helpful forum discussions: just be aware that some jackasses post advice without the slightest idea what they're talking about :D

Do you know why the key is stuck? It may help just to shake the keyboard vigorously upside down in hopes that a crumb or something will fall out. If you spilled something like cola on the keyboard, that could be more of a problem with a laptop, since any moisture under the keyboard can be harmful to the machine: if the keytop pops on/off easily, people sometimes pop the key off and swap the stem gently with a q-tip very slightly moistened by rubbing alcohol (after shaking/squeezing excess liquid from the q-tip so no liquid can run down the stem into the guts of the machine) -- I've never tried that, since my laptop keyboards all have clear silicon jimmies over them to keep crumb and liquids from contacting the keyboard

It is a laptop, Toshiba, and wandering around their help center brought me to 'sticky key' which turns out to be about something else entirely. I've managed to get the key to work if I depress it on the side instead of the center. And it never occured to me to shake the whole laptop, reminds me of when Dad would whack the TV to make the picture quit rolling.

May I ask about "jimmies"? I'm assuming that's a protective cover? I don't make it a habit to have food or drink near my laptop, but I'm thinking it would be a good idea to add that layer of protection.

Again, thanks for taking the time to help, it's much appreciated.

-

some such. This is the sort of thing:

http://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-PA3610U-1ETC-Keyboard-Protector-13-3/dp/B000V3JVE2

It may be necessary to match the model correctly, since different models might have different keyboards

I have a nice looking desktop keyboard that simply can't be disassembled. A key stuck on it once: I figure some bit of crud fell in the crack beside the key. I shook it upside down: the key stopped sticking; then I bought a silicon protector to keep anything else from falling in

If you shake your laptop upside down, I'd hold it firmly with both hands in such a way that the screen wouldn't move while you were shaking it: you don't want to have a hinge break while you're shaking the thing. Another thing you might try is shaking the keyboard upright, vacuuming it; rinse and repeat several times; be prepared for the slight possibility that you could suck a key into the vacuum cleaner; maybe its better to start with a clean fresh bag so you won't be searching for your lost key(s) in a mountain of dust, carpetfibre, or cat dander

I WILL NOT VOUCH FOR THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS. YOU SHOULD PROBABLY SEARCH THE TOSHIBA WEBSITE TO SEE IF YOU CAN VERIFY THIS DESCRIPTION THERE BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING LIKE THIS. LOTS OF KEYBOARD KEYS MAY COME OFF IN THIS MANNER BUT I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE THAT THEY ALL DO. IF THIS DESCRIPTION IS CORRECT, THE KEYTOP SITS ON A STEM THAT SLIDES TIGHTLY INTO A LITTLE SLOT IN THE CENTER OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE KEYTOP. YOUR OBJECT THEN IS TO SLIDE THE KEYTOP UP OFF THE STEM. ALL PIECES ARE PROBABLY MADE OF HARD PLASTIC AND CAN BE BROKEN. IF YOU BREAK THE KEYTOP, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE (AFTER LOOKING AROUND A LOT) TO FIND ANOTHER. IF YOU BREAK THE STEM, YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH SHIT OUT OF LUCK AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE KEYBOARD REPLACED, WHICH MIGHT BE EXPENSIVE. THE TRICK TO GETTING THE LITTLE PIECES OF PLASTIC APART WOULD BE: PATIENCE, WITH ENOUGH FORCE BUT NOT TOO MUCH FORCE -- I'D PROBABLY USE THE LONG THIN (PLASTIC POCKET CLIP) END OF THE PLASTIC CAP FROM A BALLPOINT PEN AND TRY TO ROCK THE KEYTOP UP ABOUT 1/128 OF AN INCH AT A TIME BY PUTTING MY PLASTIC LEVER UNDER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE KEYTOP TO MOVE THE KEYTOP UP A SMIDGE, THEN PUTTING MY PLASTIC LEVER UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE KEYTOP TO MOVE THE KEYTOP UP A SMIDGE, REPEATING UNTIL THE KEY CAME OFF

How to Replace Keyboard Keys on a Toshiba Laptop
http://www.ehow.com/how_4843847_replace-keyboard-keys-toshiba-laptop.html

Fix broken Laptop Keyboard Key
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lfIEreAGHo