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Adam Lenhardt · 01-09-2008, 11:26 PM

It only came with the keyboard itself, which was MUCH thinner than I expected, without even the promised instructions. Fortunately, Dell puts their service manuals online in HTML format, so I was able to piece together the process.
Even so, it was a five minute job when I sat down to do it Christmas day. The entire back half of the top is composed of covers that snap right off. Took off the center one (in between the folding hinges and that brought me right inside. Popped the keyboard up -- but not too hard thanks to Al's advice -- found the ribbon cable underneath, popped the old ribbon off the board, set the old keyboard aside, popped the new ribbon into the board, clicked the new keyboard into place, popped the cover back on and I was in business. Since the computer is out of warranty, I had to pay for the replacement. That means I'll be able to keep the old one for spare parts if any of the keys on this one start wearing out. If I had the one broken plastic piece under the "B" key I wouldn't have needed a new keyboard.

Thanks for your help, guys!

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01-09-2008, 11:26 PM	#5 of 5
Adam Lenhardt Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Local Time: 12:12 PM Local Date: 09-05-2008 Posts: 8,499	Re: Replacing a laptop keyboard? It only came with the keyboard itself, which was MUCH thinner than I expected, without even the promised instructions. Fortunately, Dell puts their service manuals online in HTML format, so I was able to piece together the process. Even so, it was a five minute job when I sat down to do it Christmas day. The entire back half of the top is composed of covers that snap right off. Took off the center one (in between the folding hinges and that brought me right inside. Popped the keyboard up -- but not too hard thanks to Al's advice -- found the ribbon cable underneath, popped the old ribbon off the board, set the old keyboard aside, popped the new ribbon into the board, clicked the new keyboard into place, popped the cover back on and I was in business. Since the computer is out of warranty, I had to pay for the replacement. That means I'll be able to keep the old one for spare parts if any of the keys on this one start wearing out. If I had the one broken plastic piece under the "B" key I wouldn't have needed a new keyboard. Thanks for your help, guys!