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    How do I remove the Keyboard of a Dell XPS M1530

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Chupan, Apr 4, 2008.

  1. Chupan

    Chupan Newbie

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    Hey all -

    I need to get under the keyboard for my new Dell. My daughter dripped some juice into it and now a key is stuck. I'm convinced that something is gooed up under there and if I can get it out I can clean it. It's either that or wait for a week for Dell to come out and replace it.

    I removed all the screws underneith but that doesn't seem to do it. I'm afraid to pull too hard on the top plastic bezel pieces for fear of breaking them.

    Please help! Technical talk is fine - I'm a Technician - I'm just being REALLY careful not to break something!!!

    Chupan
     
    Chupan, Apr 4, 2008
    #1
  2. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Remove the hinge caps on the right and left side of the notebook. Flip the notebook over, and remove the battery. Underneath the battery, there are a couple of screws you need to remove. Now, flip the notebook back. Gently remove the front plate/name plate bezel. Disconnect the wire connector that connects the motherboard to the touch-sensitive buttons. You should then see two silver screws that anchor the keyboard to the chasis. Remove those and voila.

    For more detailed instructions, consult your m1530 service manual, which should be available at support.dell.com
     
    booji, Apr 4, 2008
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  3. Chupan

    Chupan Newbie

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    hinge caps being the dell stickers?? The plate/name bezel pops off?
     
    Chupan, Apr 4, 2008
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  4. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Hinge caps are located on the two distal ends of the laptop, just above the keyboard.

    The name plate bezel is the black plastic part which has the XPS m1530 written on it. It doesn't "just" pop off, you have to pry it gently out. But don't make the mistake of not removing the hinge caps because other wise you will break the plastic connectors.
     
    booji, Apr 4, 2008
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  5. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    booji, Apr 4, 2008
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  6. Chupan

    Chupan Newbie

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    ok - going to try it now. I'll be back with results in 30.
     
    Chupan, Apr 4, 2008
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  7. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Ok sure, make sure you follow the link - it has pictures; makes the process easier.
     
    booji, Apr 4, 2008
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  8. Chupan

    Chupan Newbie

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    yeah - I'm very appreciative for you linking that for me. Makes much more sense now!!
     
    Chupan, Apr 4, 2008
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  9. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    No problem. I hope it helped resolve your issue.
     
    booji, Apr 4, 2008
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  10. Smoothieboy

    Smoothieboy Notebook Consultant

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    While you're at it, you might take a look at the cabling under the keyboard and make sure it lies flat. Some folks have keyboards that are slightly raised in the middle because of the cabling.
     
    Smoothieboy, Apr 4, 2008
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  11. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Good point. But let me warn you, it is a pain to get those cables in the groove.
     
    booji, Apr 4, 2008
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  12. Chupan

    Chupan Newbie

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    The pictures worked great. Got it apart. Cleaned what I could, but I think my Keyboard is shot. When I boot up the PC one of the keys is stuck down (not physically) I'm going to leave it open overnight and hope that it dries out. I tried cleaning the key that was stuck down however it just changes to another one! First it was "T" then "G" then "\" - now it's on something that won't let the PC boot up - it just sends me to the windows diag screen and asks me how I want to boot up or start the diag program. Since I can't press any other keys it's stuck.

    I guess I'll be waiting till tuesday or wednesday for a new keyboard probably.

    Chupan
     
    Chupan, Apr 4, 2008
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  13. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Chupan,

    Glad the keyboard removal was helpful. Do you have the complete care warranty with your system? If so, Dell might give you some trouble in replacing your keyboard. Just a heads up.
     
    booji, Apr 5, 2008
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  14. Chupan

    Chupan Newbie

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    Yeah - I have the complete care warranty. I always get it with a laptop. Gives them less reason to get cranky about warranty issues. They're supposed to come fix it next week.
     
    Chupan, Apr 5, 2008
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  15. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Good to hear. If I recall correctly, you said that something was spilt onto the keyboard correct? It may be that more than your keyboard got damaged in the process...

    Good Luck!
     
    booji, Apr 5, 2008
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  16. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    I don't think it matters where you get complete care warranty or not.

    Because I was able to get a replacement for my laptop, and I just have the next-day warranty thing.

    So just ask them for a new one, no sweat :)
     
    Waveblade, Apr 5, 2008
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  17. booji

    booji Notebook Deity

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    Waveblade, you got a replacement system because you spilled a liquid onto your keyboard on your original system for which you did not have the complete care warranty? Did you actually tell Dell that you spilled something on it?
     
    booji, Apr 5, 2008
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  18. lqaddict

    lqaddict Notebook Consultant

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    If you have a Complete Care that includes Accidental Damage Protection you should not even worry about it, unless it was damaged in the fire.
     
    lqaddict, Apr 5, 2008
    #18