Showing posts with label keyboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label keyboard. Show all posts

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Dell Latitude D600 keyboard removal

Keyboards on laptops take a lot of abuse. Not only from constant use from spills, IMG_3510dirt, pet hair(and human) and keys popping off. Keyboard replacement is a common repair. On a PC it’s easy to replace. Go to your local computer store. Pick up a new one and come home and plug it in. On a laptop it’s not as simple but still easy if your a littler mechanically inclined. Here is how I took apart a Dell Latitude D600 keyboard. They are not all the same but I thing it would be a good example. All that you may need is a small Phillips screwdriver, small flat head screwdriver and a delicate touch.

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First in this case you’ll have to remove the center plastic cover just above the keyboard. You lie the screen flat. In this case Dell provide a small notch on one side. Insert your small screwdriver there and gently start prying it apart. If you using a normal steel screwdriver use care as you can easily gouge break the plastic. There are plastic ones available I’ve found on Ebay.

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This piece was held in by plastic hooks and snaps in place. Gently pull and pry the piece out. This piece was getting replaced anyway but still I tried to be careful not to damage anything else.

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This Dell had two Phillips screws along the top edge holding the keyboard in place. I removed those.

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I lift up along the back edge of the board. It was held in place along the bottom by some small hooks . Gently wiggling it out I see that a small ribbon is till attached to the base unit.

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There is a small pull lever that aids in pulling this out. Gently pull this out and your home free.

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This is the keyboard from underneath. You can then replace the board with a newer one. It took me about fifteen minutes to this task. To reassemble you just go in reverse order. It’s not as hard as you might think. As a word of caution. Like any other work you do in a computer be careful of ESD(Electro Static Discharge). You can use a wrist strap or touch any bare metal on the unit or elsewhere around your work area to rid yourself of static. Well good luck and hope this might help someone in the future. Next up will be replacing the lid cover to this same Dell Latitude D600 so stay tuned. Have a great day.

Sources: Dell Latitude Service Manual

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Windows tip: Keyboard Shortcuts

I'm currently enrolled in a course called "Introduction to computers"(three credit college course). Now some may think that a veteran computer guy(compared to some) that what more could I learn or that it'll be boring? The thing with computers is that you should always be looking for something to learn. One thing that I've often overlooked or just got lazy using the mouse is keyboard shortcuts. Some consider them quicker than using a mous. Of course most of us know the CTRL+ALT+DEL to shutdown or restart your PC when frozen but beyond that I'm a bit lacking. So here's a few Windows keyboard shortcuts that may be useful to you. This is by no means a total comprehensive list but I believe it covers the basics. Many applications have there own shortcuts. If you know of more leave a comment to share.

  • Ctrl + W - Closes window
  • Ctrl + C - Copy
  • Ctrl + X - Cut
  • Del key - Delete
  • Esc - Exit window
  • Ctrl + F3 - Find
  • F1 - Help
  • Windows key + M - Minimizes window
  • Ctrl + Del - Move to Recycling bin
  • Ctrl + N - Create New Folder or document
  • Ctrl + O - Open
  • Windows Key - Opens Start menu
  • Ctrl + V - Paste
  • Ctrl + P - Print
  • Alt + Print Scrn - Print screen
  • Ctrl + Alt + Del - Reboot/Restart
  • Ctrl + S - Save
  • Ctrl + A - Select all
  • Ctrl + Z - Undo
For a more comprehensive list you can check the Microsoft list of shortcuts here.

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Quick Tip : Restart Windows when mouse dies.

Suppose for some odd reason your mouse stops working or freezes on your screen. How the heck do you restart or shutdown your computer without your mouse? Here's one trick I discovered on how to restart or shutdown your computer with your keyboard.
  1. Press the Windows key ( the one with the Windows logo on it) which will pop up the Start menu. You can also press Ctrl+Esc keys should your keyboard lack the Windows key.
  2. Press U which enable you to select Shutdown/Restart etc..
  3. You can use your arrow keys to make your selection.
  4. Press Enter
I just thought this would be a handy tip.

-Source - Troubleshooting your PC for Dummies by Dan Gookin