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    Two quick questions..

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by xer0x, Mar 8, 2012.

  1. xer0x

    xer0x Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, in my other thread where I spoke of a battery problem, I had mentioned that I spilled some liquid on the laptop. Now, I know the keyboards are easy to find and replace, however as far as the left and right mouse keys go.. is there any way to actually remove them and clean underneath? Also, there is a bit of liquid built up in the plastic Plates on the front of the laptop.. the ones that just lighjt up with whatever color you choose, and have the honeycomb pattern... is there anyway to take those out and clean them?
     
    xer0x, Mar 8, 2012
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  2. xer0x

    xer0x Notebook Enthusiast

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    To clear up any confusion as to what part im talking about cleaning.. its the part labeled "#3" in the Command Center, when it comes to choosing your color scheme
     
    xer0x, Mar 8, 2012
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  3. bloosh

    bloosh Notebook Enthusiast

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    Too bad you didn't post this a couple hours ago before I took mine apart, or I would've checked. I don't know if you can or not. Once they keyboard is off its pretty easy to remove the palm rest assembly. Since your replacing a keyboard you might as well take a look. Even if you can't get them off, it should be easier to clean once you take the palm rest assembly off.
     
    bloosh, Mar 8, 2012
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  4. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    You can order a extra palm rest form ebay, it will come with most of those parts. They are around 30-40$

    The mouse buttons are screwed onto the underside of the palm rest, so they can be removed. but if there is liquid under the buttons, you may be screwed.
     
    ejohnson, Mar 8, 2012
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  5. xer0x

    xer0x Notebook Enthusiast

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    thank you sirs, just knowing that the name is called the "palm rest" i should be able to figure out how to take it apart by finding a guide
     
    xer0x, Mar 8, 2012
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  6. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Remove bottom cover.
    remove battery
    under the batter is 4-5 small screws, these hold it to the chassis.
    then pop the power button cover off (right side is a little spot to put a finger nail under and pull up)
    remove 2 screws for keyboard. keyboard clips to palm rest on each side, so pull one side up, then the other side, then slide it out of the bottom. there are 2 ribbon cables for power and input. the cable locks lift up (hinged)
    after thats out, there are 2 more cables, center and left side. same as the keyboard cable.
    there are 4 long screws in there, 2 in the middle, one on each side.
    Close the lid and flip the compter over.
    along the sides are long screws 7-8 in total I think. 4 corners, middle bottom, sides.
    after those are out the palm rest should lift up and reveil the gooey insides of your laptop.
    near the power button is a single small plug, remove that as its the cable for the "alienware" logo lights on the lcd.

    Now your off and free.
    The touchpad is not removable, its taped on and if you try to remove it you will break it.
    The buttons have 2 screws and a cable on it, you take out the cable and the screws and the buttons should come out as a single part.
    You can remove both front grill light cover, screws then pop them out for cleaning. Be carfull with them, the honeycomb pattern will come off.

    any other questions just ask, I have rebuilt many of these laptops that have had soda damage.
     
    ejohnson, Mar 9, 2012
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