Calling All Computer Experts

[whizkidkyus]

Has anyone ever tried , by any chance , to change out the keyboard on a Acer Espire 4520 laptop. I have a chance to get a used but nice one that came out with Vista Home and it's only about 3-4 years old , but there are three keys broke off the key board . It only really hurts the looks of it as I can press on the remains of the buttons and they work. I was going to get a new keyboard from Acer or off of Ebay. Has anyone ever done this before . How hard is it to replace and take apart ( computer ) ? I've never worked on a laptop , taking one apart that is , before. Thank you for any and all help .

Thank you ,
Whizkid

 

[whizkidkyus]

It could also be a Acer Aspire 4520 . My neice was reading the model number over the phone to me and I haven't seen it in a while to remember if it was an Espire or a Aspire .

Thanks,
Whizkid

 

[Anonymous-0]

Search the Acer web site for support manuals. They might have one on updating the laptop that includes instructions on changing the keyboard. I saw such a thing yesterday for a Gateway. On the gateway you pried up the cover at the top of the keyboard to loosen the keyboard and went on from there to change it. I didn't read the details beyond the first step.

Gerald J.

 

[rbel]

sure you can't just replace the missing keys?
It is a lot easier

 

[dan br]

unless the metal part of the retainer on the board is broken,you can just replace the keys...they just pop off and the new will snap back on.just take your time and do it carefully.ive changed a few off them without much hassle.as far as changing keyboard,my dell has a plastic cover that pops off and 2 retaining screws.then just unplugs.check w/ the acer website and download a repair manual.you will need the model and service code # from tag on bottom of computer.

 

[wfw]

changing the keyboard shouldn't be hard. on online . and find the manual to see how to remove it. I haven't had and acer apart but have had a hp, compaq and dell apart. usually have to remove the strip above the keyboard, then some screws at the top of the keyboard, lift the top of the keyboard and remove the ribbon cable, probably a special connector, it may have a lock you have to slide, then the keyboard will come out. be careful with the connector. hope this helps.

frank

ps: pay attention to the length of the screws as you remove them, it will be important.

 

[wfw]

you should be able to download a manual here:

http://online.manualspace.com/notebook-computers-free-ebooks/acer-notebook-service-manuals/3016/aspire-452042204520g4220g-series-service-guide-485.html


btw its aspire.

frank

 

[thurlow]

They's a couple of experts who post on 'here' occasionally; I fergit they names, but they's from Kaintuck and know pretty much everthang about everythang. Maybe they'll show up and hep you. (Seems theys some kind of inbred cousins, but I dis-remember for sure.)

 

[rhouston]

I agree with putting the caps back on the keys. Those little levers that they use can be a pain but I have reattached them on laptops before. Most laptop keyboards can be easily replaced. Many do not require the removal of any other plastics. At most you may have to remove the plastic between the keyboard and screen hinges under there you may find two or three screws that need to come out in order to remove the keyboard. Some have a screw or two that pass from the bottom of the unit through to the keybaord. They may even be marked somehow. Somejust have clips that need to be undone and no plstics need to be removed. Be gentle with the cable connection you do not want to break it. Most of the cable connections I have seen either just push into a plug or they have a sleeve that has to be pushed toward the cable which loosens the connection then the new cable is inserted and the sleeve pushed back. Every laptop is somewhat different in it's disassembly. Keyboads are usualy one of the easier things to replace. Be gentle with the plastics!

 

[Howard H.]

If you can't put some new caps back on the existing keyboard, you can replace it.

I've purchased replacement laptop keyboards off of ebay. You'll have to be awfully careful taking it apart. You'll need a good set of tiny screwdrivers and maybe a torx head as well.

Sometimes there will be some plastic clips holding it together even after you get the screws out. Once you have the bezel plastic off, and are getting close to taking off the keyboard itself, be careful with the "filmy" data cable & possible wire or two - don't pull too hard - there may be a tiny plastic locking clip that holds each one.

Make sure to keep any screws in their correct place going back - sometimes there will be slightly longer & shorter screws and if you get them mixed up, you'll wind up punching a hole through something by trying to run the longer ones in the wrong hole.

Howard

 

[whizkidkyus]

thurlow ,

Is that the best you can do ,thurlow ? If it is, you might as well give up . The way you were trying to insult us only makes you look littler . As the saying goes , " It takes a little person to be little someone else ". Not to mention te fact that you sound like a fool . No offense , but you started it ....


Whiz

 

[whizkidkyus]

Thanks everyone for all the help . I'll look into all of them as I get time . I can't replace the keys as I don't have the old ones . There is only two missing . I would have to order new ones and that would probably cost as much as a new keyboard . I think that I have found a used keyboard for $10.00 app..

Thank you,
Whizkid

 

[whizkidkyus]

thurlow,

By the way, with your spelling you sound more like the inbreed than me . My spealling may not be perfect at times ,but it's better than your redneck wannabe spelling .

Whizkid

 

[thurlow]

??????? Paranoia kicking in? I can't help it if the experts I was speaking of haven't checked in. You may have to go with the advice these others guys have given you. Sounds good to me.

 

[whizkidkyus]

thurlow,


It dosen"t take a genuis to figure out who you were talking about.

Whizkid

 

[old bc]

Check out the link.
Aspire Keyboard

 

[TopCat in NC]

Try out this website it has a lot of useful info on the website and links to other sites about successful mods and tear-downs of various laptops

http://repair4laptop.org/index.html

Dan