1537 Keyboard Backlight

I will be calling Dell tomorrow to get my keyboard replaced due to the Numlock light not working.

My current keyboard has not got a backlight would it be possible to get a replacement keyboard with a blacklight?

 

I'm pretty sure you can upgrade to a keyboard with a backlight. Just call and ask them. Are you going to be installing the keyboard yourself?

 

I've got onsite warranty so I would get them to do it.

 

It's possible. I've done it.

Although if you call and ask Dell themselves, they'll probably tell you that you need a new motherboard, which is an outright lie.

I'm not sure that's something that's covered under warranty, and I'm not sure Dell would even sell you just the backlit keyboard anyway. I got mine from a third party reseller, and installed it myself in ~10 minutes.

If Dell denies your request, I'll post a link for you to order the keyboard and a guide to install it.

 

Could I please have the website to buy the backlit keyboard and instructions on how to do it.

Thankyou

 

http://www.resaleremarketing.net/servlet/the-722/Dell-Studio-1535-fdsh-1536-Laptop/Detail

That's the one I bought. It's the standard U.S. keyboard layout.

here is Dell's official guide to removing/replacing the keyboard. It's a pretty simple process.

Turn off and unplug your laptop from AC power and remove the battery. In the battery compartment are two Philips head screws, labeled "K". remove both of these. Open the laptop up all the way, and pop the touch-sensitive media panel off, starting at the back of the laptop. A bit of force may be necessary here.

Once the media panel is off, you can disconnect the white ribbon cable on its underside, and set the panel off to the side. Next, remove the keyboard bezel, the little black frame that goes around the sides and bottom of the keyboard. It's not really fastened by anything. Start at one edge and pull it out, and continue until you get to the other end.

The keyboard itself is held on by two screws at the top. Remove both of these. Slide the keyboard up to get it out of the tabs at the bottom, and then pull it up. You may have to bend the keyboard a little to get it out of the side tabs. There is one wide ribbon cable connecting the keyboard to the motherboard. Lift up the black tab on the motherboard to release the cable, and simply pull it it out.

The new backlit keyboard has two cables: the same wide data ribbon cable, and a second, much smaller cable, to provide power for the backlight LED's. Put the data cable in the slot that you just took the old one out of, and press the black tab back down to lock it in place. There will be a smaller slot with a similar black locking tab for the power cable, which should not already be occupied. Put the ribbon cable in this slot, and lock it.

Put the keyboard back in place the same way you took it out. Slide it under the tabs on the sides and bottom, and secure the two screws on the top. Put the black plastic bezel back on, and snap it in place. Plug the media panel ribbon cable back into its slot on the panel, and replace the panel, and snap it in place. Flip the laptop over, and replace the two "K" screws in the battery bay (these are what hold the media panel firmly in place).

Once you've done that, put the battery back in and/or plug in the AC adapter, and power up. The new keyboard should be ready to go, no drivers or anything to install. Hold Fn and press the right arrow key once to activate the backlights on full brightness, again to put them on half brightness, and once more to turn them off.

By default, I believe the key lights are set to turn off after 30 seconds of inactivity, but you can change that with the QuickSet software. I personally have them stay on until I deliberately turn them off.

Hope ya find that helpful!

 

Is the site US only? Cause I live in Australia.

 

I have no idea. I live in the U.S. so obviously that works pretty well for me...try contacting the site owner via email, he was pretty helpful and responsive when I had questions before buying the keyboard. Ask him if they ship to Australia.

 

In case it doesn't work out with Resale Remarketing, parts-people.com ship to australia, but unfortunately, it will cost you $44.95 USD for the keyboard and then $32.50 USD for shipping coming to a whopping $77.45 USD. They also have a 'Grade B' keyboard (shiny worn keys) for $29.95 USD.

Have you already tried calling or emailing Dell Support and asking for a replacement keyboard with backlight? If you mention the part number KR766, they can't really get it wrong..

 

Dell wont give me the back light cause it is not an original part.

 

Yeah, I figured they wouldn't...online resellers (at least the one I used) are pretty reliable. Just remember, "A" grade means it's a brand new part, "B" grade means it's refurbed or scratch-and-dent.

 

Tiger5, you might want to try this place, i got mine from here earlier this week, pretty cheap and in good condition, i'm not 100% they will post to your location, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Just remember D344C is a uk layout keyboard, i don't know what layout yours is.

http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Cop...viceQQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQsaselZ124839068QQsofpZ0

 

The ebay store only has Studio 17 backlit keyboards.

 

No they have them for the 1537 aswell.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dell-Inspiron...hZ025QQcategoryZ31568QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

What layout is yours just now out of these two?

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0004/222090977_o

http://f.imagehost.org/view/0634/BLBgll_mk_KGrHgoOKj8EjlLmUE61BJdG4lY8ug_1

 

My keyboard layout is the one with the rectangular enter key. However have the other wouldn't bother me.

P.S. The keyboard that you linked to doesn't say wheather it is backlit.

 

I bought one from that seller earlier this week, it was the same one i listed - D344C, that's the uk backlit keyboard, i think the us is KR766.

If you have any doubts, just send the seller a message asking if it is backlit.

It depends on wether you will have a problem using a different key layout, i think the only difference is the enter key shape,

The two pictures i linked above, the 1st is us and the 2nd is uk.

 

I bought one from that ebay seller yesterday.
It arrived this morning in under 24hrs.

I followed Mastershrooms instructions and it was easy to install.

The seller confirmed the Uk backlit keyboard part number is D344c, unlit is RK685.

nice little mod for the money.

 

Glad to hear that worked out for you. And under 24 hours for shipping? That's pretty good. Did you pay extra for overnight shipping?

 

Nope, just their standard ebay postage rate of £4.50

The only thing I found to be slightly fiddly was locating the extra ribbon for the leds in its correct slot but thats down to my sausage like fingers.

 

Wow. I don't think I've ever paid the standard postage for anything and had it arrive before the latest possible date. Lucky you!

Also, I know all about the difficulties of living with sausage fingers. I use tweezers to help guide smaller cables.