Removal of a Laptop Keyboard

There is nothing geeky in knowing how to remove a laptop keyboard. You can do the same by following some easy to do steps. Please remember that laptops from different manufacturers are very different from each other, and the difference between two models from the same manufacturer might be too much to say the least.

The process showcased below is for a Dell Latitude D505 model. Before undertaking this project all by yourself, it is recommended that you go through the manual provided by the manufacturer or do so once or twice in presense of an authorized technical person.

 Instructions

1. Remove the keyboard bezel. Take a screw driver and put it at the slot of the bezel and using it as a lever pull off the bezel. Once the bezel is displaced the screws that hold the keyboard and the system-board together are visible
2. Loosen the screws that attach the keyboard and the system-board with a screwdriver of appropriate size. Pull-off the screws once they are sufficiently loosened.
3. Hold the keyboard in your left hand and try to move it at an angle of 45 degree. You will notice that the only other attachment the keyboard has is a cable with a pin at it's end that fits into a socket placed on the system board..
4. Holding the keyboard in your left hand at a comfortable distance, pull the cable pin out of the socket in vertical direction using your right hand. Once the pin is out you will find the keyboard removed.

 Tips

•  Be careful while removing the bezel else you might end up making dents on your laptop surface.
•  Use a light colored polythene or cloth to keep all the fasteners such that they are easily accessible to you.
• Pull off the keyboard connecting cable gently.

 Warnings!

•  Under no circumstances should you use a screwdriver that is not an exact fit for your laptop screws. In case of such a usage you might end up with a scratched laptop surface.
• Be careful if using a magnetic screwdriver, a magnet can wreak havoc on the components.

Read More

How to Install a Notebook Video Card

How to Install a Notebook Video Card

Most notebook computers are designed for programs such as word-processing software that does not require advanced graphics capabilities. If you want to turn your notebook into a gaming machine or use higher-end graphic editing software, you may want to install a new video card. Although opening up your laptop is more complicated than opening a desktop, it can be done at home.

1). Power off the computer entirely and remove the power cable. Close the top lid and turn the entire unit over so you can see the bottom of the case. Hold down the battery release button and push the battery out of the case. Check the manual that came with your laptop and see if the screws on the bottom of the case hold the motherboard to the keyboard. Remove them if they do. Turn the laptop back over.

2). Open the lid so you can see the LCD screen. Check the keyboard and see if it has a blank key on the bottom right side. Slide a thin object such as a flat head screwdriver underneath the key. Wiggle up and down until the keyboard pops out. Slide the object under the plastic bezel above the keyboard, if you don't have a blank key and pop the bezel out.

3). Remove the cable connecting the keyboard to the notebook motherboard and pull the keyboard out. Remove the plastic bezel above the keyboard and set it aside. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the hinges into place. Pull out the hinges.

4). Check to see if there are additional components preventing you from reaching the video card, such as the case fan or RAM modules. Remove the components so that the video card can be pulled out.

5). Pull out the screws holding the video card in place and remove it from the motherboard. Slide the new video card into the open slot and attach the screws. Re-connect all the components, place the hinges back on, and put the keyboard and bezel back into place. Pop the battery back in and power on the notebook.

Read More