According to the statistics the first component to usually get damaged first is your laptop’s keyboard. With extended use, the keys fade; particles settle underneath the keys, spill damage and keys pop off. Depending on your skill level it can be very difficult to replace the keyboard. Now, if you are able to overcome your fear and would like to save a few dollars you just might be able to do it yourself. In the following example, we will use a Dell laptop to cover a few basic tips for installation. However, for nearly all brand of notebooks it is just about the same.
Firstly, we need to take out the keyboard in order to find the part number. For most Dell laptop parts, they have a barcode usually followed by a series of numbers. To remove the keyboard you will need a set of precision screwdrivers. These can be purchased at the local hardware store for a fairly cheap price. In order to remove the keyboard, you will first have to remove the plastic strip which holds houses the power, reset, volume buttons. This strip is usually just clipped and does not have screws attached to it. There is a sunken area on the left and right hand side of this strip. You can use the flathead screwdriver to “pop” open and remove this plastic strip. Some units have a small cable underneath attached to the motherboard. Be careful when remove this or any other components attached to this strip.
After you have removed the strip, you should be able to see the screws that attach the keyboard to the laptop itself. Remove these screws and the keyboard should come offer fairly easily. It might also be clipped, so remove the clips. If it still does not come off, check underneath the laptop. Some models have screws attaching the keyboard from underneath. Once the keyboard is loosened it should be attached to the motherboard via a data cable. Remove this cable carefully as fragile plastic clips usually hold it in place.
Now that you have removed the keyboard for your Dell or other brand laptop, you now have to locate the parts number in order to locate a suitable replacement. There may be other substitute part numbers out in the market, be sure to verify it will work with your laptop as many of these keyboards look alike. The part number of the keyboard is usually located behind it on a bar coded label of some sort. For example HP or Compaq models the part number usually ends en “-001” with Dell it should start with either “DP/N…” or “CN…”
The best choice would be an original Dell laptop keyboard spare. All that you have to do is go online and search for it on Google and you’ll find a few vendors selling Dell laptop parts. However, how will you ensure that they are original? Moreover, how do you believe that they are new parts and not a spare from a rejected or used Dell laptop? Well, this is where you will have to either trust a seller or go by his reputation. The lure of a saving a few extra $$$ on the keyboard is certainly something that most can’t ignore, but choose wisely so that you get an original spare which lasts a lifetime.