L701x insall backlit keyboard?

Anyone had any luck purchasing a backlit keyboard for the XPS 17 after the fact? Was not an option in my country and I really want it

 

Ask Dell Parts and Upgrades. Just chatted in few minutes ago that backlit keyboard for 14 is still available for separate order.

 

mmmm just did the same, no such luck for the 17

 

Guess I should just order mine right now before it's long gone. So much for not opting it in the configuration and paying over double the price now, plus the hassle to swap it ;<

 

Yea I would get it. But I don't care about the price or the hassle, I just want it ha ha. Had it on Studio XPS and it was great.

 

Yeah, feels like something is missing without it, lol. Plus I'm planning to reapply thermals anyways. Hope things will work out smoothly, never done anything like this before.

 

I bought and installed this backlit keyboard below, the only thing is the mouse pad on/off key is a cd eject key. The mouse pad on/off key function still works along with all other funtions of the keyboard. For me i could careless what that key looks like seeing i now have a backlit keyboard.

DELL Studio 17 Series 1745 1747 1749 Backlit Keyboard - eBay (item 190465938613 end time Apr-06-11 22:50:42 PDT)

 

looks nice! Does it fit perfectly? if it does I'll grab one imeediately!

 

It Fits Perfectly!!! Here is a picture.

 

omg thanks so much mate! The price looks alright too, gonna buy one now

 

Glad to have helped out.

 

I hope you get your keyboard soon, enjoy!

 

Hi mhowell,

I've just purchased 4 of these keyboards for the EU market as we can't get them over here.

Could I ask, was there a cable already fitted in your machine that you just attached the keyboard to, or did the cable come with the keyboard???

I'm concerned maybe we don't get the cable in the EU as the backlit keyboard was never an option.

Cheers
Lee

 

The cables (ribbons) comes with the keyboard, one is for the keyboard the other is for the backlighting. When you remove the original keyboard you will see only one cable connectioned to the motherboard and smaller connector not being used. This small connector is for the new backlit keyboard. Hope that answers your question. Let me know how everything turns out.

 

Did someone know the part number of the UK backlit keyboard?

 

Cheers buddy....will let you know when I have installed

 

Lol thanks mate, of course if you get your hands on some Dell UK backlit keyboards let me know!

Side note: Unfortunately still no screen in sight, I hope they will deliver it tomorrow :-/

 

Might just get myself one of these.

How hard are they to fit?
And what is the shipping from the states to the uk likely to be?
I'm happy to use a us layout: I just map it to UK, and touch-type anyway.

 

Or a bit of Tippex

 

This is my XPS17 now....backlit keyboard. US layout. How cool??!!!

Easy to use with UK regional settings and 'touch type'.

One left in the store and £10 off for first person to purchase using this discount code at checkout: PVJ8BJV924.

I can't say fairer than that, can I!!!!

 

SmokingKid...found the UK backlit for the XPS17 but they are too expensive to buy and sell in the store. £50-£60.

However, I have just sourced some more US ones and hopefully can get them for a good price so will let everyone know when we get more in.

I have 1x US backlit for the XPS17 in stock now and as you can see from the photo, it's AWESOME!!!!!

 

Looking really neat. Only difference I can see is the colors of the multimedia keys (F7 to F12).

How are the keys btw? Same as the standard XPS17 one or chicklet?

Oh also, is the key right of F12 qith the "switch touchpad on/off" symbol?

 

Keys are the same as standard XP17, but the quality feels much better under your fingers. Especially the 'Enter' key...there was a slight tap/echo on my stock XPS17 keyboard but this backlit one feels really tight.

Yes, the key to the right of F12 switiches off your touchpad.

F6 changes the brightness settings for the keyboard.....sweet !!!!!

I think you will be happy....the backlit keyboard is actually my favourite upgrade. I like it more than my 1080p V4 and 128gb Crucial C300 SSD....it just gives it that 'quality' feel like the Macbook Pro!!!

I don't think I can upgrade my L701x any further now...I think I will have to sell it and get a stock L702x. Ha ha


Oh...my wife would love that!!!!

 

Thanks Lee.

On the touchpad key, I was just wondering if it had the same symbol than the standard keyboard. Reason I ask is I think the Studio 17 keyboards had the eject key there instead (not that I care though, pure aesthetics point of view... )

 

Sorry....it is the eject key..just realised....but I would never have noticed if you wouldn't have told me!!!

 

No probs, I was just curious.

Eagerly awaiting this little guy to arrive.

 

Missed the one in the store, sadly.
Hopefully, they will get more soon

Does anyone know how it would affect the warranty?

Wait, Wait, Wait... barlow00, do you run Kuzotronic?
Could you hold one back for me?
Also, where are you in relation to Cornwall

 

Changing your keyboard will not affect the overall warranty of the computer.

However, the keyboard will not be taken into account should it fail, as it was not bought from Dell when you got that machine.

 

Hey Michael,

Yes I do...I'm actually up in Manchester so about 5-6 hours drive!!

I've just ordered some more backlit keyboards in and they should be with me at the beginning of May. Can you wait until then?

Cheers
Lee

 

I hope mine does not fail as I trashed my old one taking it out.

 

Yeah, that is the reason I'll be keeping all the hardware I swap on my machine. In case it fails, I'll get a same machine as I bought, not as I upgraded... >.>

 

Of course I waited 2 months for the right deal to come on the outlet, lol.
If you could stick my name on one, I would appreciate it, as I'd really like to get the laptop finished cosmetically.

 

It looks seriously cool. I mean, HOT....like you say, it's the cosmetic finish!!!

I will be in touch as soon as they reach Mancunia !!!

 

Hey, you don't need to sell it to me, I'm already sold
I appreciate what you're doing, I know from personal experiance how un-fun it can be importing.

 

Mike,

I have a story about this...the very first batch of screens I bought in January I sold for £100 per unit (B173HW01 V4's).

I was naive and didn't think about UK HMRC....I got hit with a VAT/Duty bill a week later, and I was £300 out of pocket!!!

Lesson learned....then on my next batch of screens there was an accident with Royal Mail and 5 got damaged. GRRR!!!! £500 out of pocket until the compensation comes through.

I don't think I've made a penny yet, ha ha....oh well, I'm in this for the long-run...so hopefully it's all behind me now!!!

 

I'm a newbie in laptop upgrading. How concern should I be regarding the danger of static electric while handling laptop parts when I change my keyboard? Is doing it without any anti-static mat nor static discharge wristband safe enough?
After reading some articles about how a tiny static discharge can destroy the whole motherboard really scares me. I really dont wish to damage the whole laptop just because of changing a keyboard. lol
Any advice?

 

It is always benefitial to have the matting/straps, even if the risk is low.

Think of it this way, one day you are likely to require them anyway for an especially delicate part: Why not start protecting yourself now?

 

On this one, yeah, the mat and the wristband can help. Personally, I've never used those and just always make sure that I touch the metallic casing of the computer (if working on a desktop) or of some other machine around (there is always bound to be one) each time I'm about to touch a circuit part. Also, always hold any part of circuitry on the sides.

 

Redlance and Michael have it covered. I opt for the metallic option, for simplicity....but either way does the job. I've just emailed you the instructions Myth...ignore the Dell ones...mine take 20 minutes and you save the hassle of removing the HDD and memory.

Have a good weekend folks!
Lee

 

Just installed my new backlit keyboard and it's working great! It definitely feels nicer than the stock keyboard. Glad that I got this.

 

Gah, stop taunting me already

 

Hi there, I am considering switching the keyboard on my XPS 17 and I like the sound of your technique (imagine your average medium-sized primate - that is roughly the level of technical ability I have when it comes to this kind of thing). Would you be so kind as to send me these instructions?

Also, there seem to be some keyboards available on eBay that look like they will do the trick, although they seem to be either US or French keyboards. Would I be able to use one of those and just remember where the keys are on the UK layout, or could I move keys around (I suspect it's not that easy, but worth a go...).

Thanks in advance for any help!

Cheers,

Paul

 

Hi Paul,

Email me at [email protected] and I can send you the instructions.

I have some more of the XSPS17 keyboards on order and they will be here at the beginning of May. US layout as this is the easiest to source. But they definitely fit, I have one in mine and it's smoking!!!

The are only 4 (popular) keys that are actually different and if you are a reasonable competent typist, you could leave the layout as UK and just use the US keyboard. My mind knows that the '£' sign is on the '3' key so my finger automatically hits it without looking for the symbol. I suppose this depends on personal preference however and how comfortable you are with this.

It's easier to keep the regional setting as UK rather than start to learn new positions for keys. I wouldn't even attempt physically moving keys either, if that's what you were hinting at???

Hope this helps??
Cheers
Lee

 

Ditto, I got a G15 for <£20, and it took me a few days to even realise it was US, the only thing I notice is hitting the hash key where enter normally extends into.

Any update on the delivery, Barlow?
I'll quite happily pay once you've got a delivery confirmation within a day, just to speed things up

 

Hi Mike,

They're on the way but in the standard mail so I don't have a guaranteed delivery date. I'm in Ukraine from Friday 22nd until 2nd May so they should be waiting for me when i get back.

Don't worry about paying, your keyboard is already reserved.
Cheers
Lee

 

I've put the XPS17 backlit's up for pre-order. They were shipped today and will take 14 days to reach me (according to the Chinese courier). I wasn't expecting a delivery due date!! I come back from the Ukraine on Monday 2nd and will pick them up from the post office on Tuesday 3rd.

If anyone wants one there's 4 on the way.

Cheers
Lee

 

Well, I received the keybpard today by mail from Lee and it was nicely packed, safe and sound, and in perfect shape.

Tonight, using the instruction Lee sent me, I went on to install this little guy, taking out the old one and storing it so as to have it on hand if need be. Installation was dead easy and took roughly 30 minutes (mainly beacuse I was pausing to take some pictures).

Well, the result is here, the keyboard is installed and is working PERFECTLY!!!



A bit hard to see due to the harsh light of where I did this but you can see the lighting still.

Also, and that is for anyone hearing the "you cannot install a backlit keyboard in your L701x as the motherboard does not support it" jingle from Dell:

1) The slot where to put the wire for backlighting of the keyboard is present on the motherboard, and,
2) Once the computer was restarted I went into the Windows Mobility Center to change the function keys settings and lo and behold! What did I see? This:



The backlight option suddenly showed up, while it was not there before at all. So the function is hardwired in the motherboards of the L701x and just needs the proper keyboard to show up.

Anyhow, this keyboard is a dream to type on (feels more firm and makes less noise) and I cannot thank Lee enough for finding this. Kudos mate!

 

*Sniff*
#Some day, my keyboard will come#


Persuaded a couple of friends to get l501x's now, now we're all laptop bros

 

Always happy to help!!!!!

 

Anyone has an idea where I can get a backlit keyboard in AZERTY - preferrably Belgian keyboard layout?