How to upgrade to backlite keyboard on e4200

Hi everybody,

A few days ago a couple of keys from my dell e4200 (non-backlit keyboard) were broken, and I think is timely to upgrade (myself) to backlit keyboard. I was wondering if anyone has done the same and if it's worth.

Another issue is how to activate the lights on the keyboard, because i use linux, do you believe it is a problem?

and my last question, can someone tell me how to remove the plastic cover above the keyboard ??. I tried pulling quite strongly, but I'm afraid of breaking it.

Thanks!!
Marc

 

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/late4200/en/sm/keyboard.htm#wp1179980

I do believe the controls for activating and deactivating the backlight on the backlit keyboard are hardware-based. It should not matter what OS you run. They are also built into the keyboard, so you won't have to change any other parts.

 

There is detailed info in the E4200 thread about this as one of the members did it themselves. I recall it to be a pain in the rear process. You can start here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=4408904

Edit: There is some information in the subsequent posts about the pin-outs etc.

 

CorporateTraveller's E4200 thread is one of the better "this is why you should get an E4200" resources here on NBR, but I'd hardly call a series of three pictures that gives zero instruction whatsoever "detailed info" on replacing the keyboard.

The guide from Dell is going to be the most-useful.