If you have a laptop that has the wrong keyboard layout, don't try to 
change the keyboard. Just learn to live with it, or plug in an external 
USB keyboard.

I failed to heed this warning. I just spent about 2 hours trying to 
replace the keyboard on a Dell laptop. In the process, I caused 
irreparable damage to the old keyboard, irreparable damage to the new 
keyboard, and also slightly damaged the laptop itself. The laptop has 
gone from having a working keyboard with the wrong layout, to having a 
non-functional keyboard. I'm now dripping wet and utterly frustrated. 
And if I ever see another flexible edge connector, I may just lose my 
sanity.

LFMF!

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On 10/11/2011 10:16 AM, Invisible wrote:

> gone from having a working keyboard with the wrong layout, to having a
> non-functional keyboard. I'm now dripping wet and utterly frustrated.
> And if I ever see another flexible edge connector, I may just lose my
> sanity.

Well, there's your problem ... Don't change your laptop's keyboard in 
the shower!

-- 
~Mike

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>> gone from having a working keyboard with the wrong layout, to having a
>> non-functional keyboard. I'm now dripping wet and utterly frustrated.
>> And if I ever see another flexible edge connector, I may just lose my
>> sanity.
>
> Well, there's your problem ... Don't change your laptop's keyboard in
> the shower!

In fairness, if I /had/ done it in the shower, at least I wouldn't be 
covered in sweat by the end of it...

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This and other reasons led me to conclude that never try to fix a 
portable device that is not mine and even so I'm very careful; when 
people ask me I redirect to a specialist, my life is so much happier 
since then. The bath of sweat is normal, you have to relax be stay 
relaxed while doing the notebook, for more reference how to disassemble 
them go to the website of the brand and check on technical support, they 
have instructions for technicians to open them, at least it used to be. 
Good luck.

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On 13/10/2011 05:08 AM, Saul Luizaga wrote:
> This and other reasons led me to conclude that never try to fix a
> portable device

This.

> for more reference how to disassemble
> them go to the website of the brand and check on technical support, they
> have instructions for technicians to open them, at least it used to be.
> Good luck.

The Dell website provides some minimal instructions. What they 
completely fail to explain is how to connect the flexible edge 
connectors. Unlike other models I've seen, these have some sort of weird 
clip on them. Of course, being so microscopic, I can't actually see what 
the hell I'm doing. (And, naturally, our entire office is always half 
dark because it would cost too much money to illuminate it adequately.) 
If only I had a magnifying glass...

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On 13/10/2011 9:24 AM, Invisible wrote:
> If only I had a magnifying glass...

No workshop should be without one of these or similar.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/22w-fluorescent-daylight-magnifier-lamp-47980

http://www.maplin.co.uk/12w-magnifying-lamp-225722

http://www.maplin.co.uk/wide-lens-22w-magnifier-lamp-222690

Although some people I've worked with preferred something like this.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/2-led-magnifying-visor-219971


-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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On 13/10/2011 10:56 AM, Stephen wrote:
> On 13/10/2011 9:24 AM, Invisible wrote:
>> If only I had a magnifying glass...
>
> No workshop should be without one of these or similar.
>
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/22w-fluorescent-daylight-magnifier-lamp-47980
>
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/12w-magnifying-lamp-225722
>
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/wide-lens-22w-magnifier-lamp-222690

I'm not sure my office is big enough for that...

> Although some people I've worked with preferred something like this.
>
> http://www.maplin.co.uk/2-led-magnifying-visor-219971

Yeah, that would probably work better. Then you don't have the problem 
of the lamp constantly being in the wrong place as you wrestle with the 
laptop.

Ultimately though, even if I could see what I was doing, I would 
probably still have broken the hair-thin spins on this damned connector...

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On 13/10/2011 11:13 AM, Invisible wrote:
>
> I'm not sure my office is big enough for that...
>

It must be small then. Surely you have a workbench where you can lay out 
equipment. The anglepoise one takes up very little space and can be used 
as a lamp. We had one of those when I worked on the Murchison (off 
shore) and it was invaluable.

>> Although some people I've worked with preferred something like this.
>>
>> http://www.maplin.co.uk/2-led-magnifying-visor-219971
>
> Yeah, that would probably work better. Then you don't have the problem
> of the lamp constantly being in the wrong place as you wrestle with the
> laptop.
>
> Ultimately though, even if I could see what I was doing, I would
> probably still have broken the hair-thin spins on this damned connector...

I've never been able to replace those. There must be a knack to it.


-- 
Regards
     Stephen

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>> I'm not sure my office is big enough for that...
>
> It must be small then. Surely you have a workbench where you can lay out
> equipment.

It's big enough to fit a desk and a chair. I suppose technically you 
could fit a second desk in if you don't mind not being able to open the 
door. And, in fairness, if I cleared some of the junk off my desk, there 
would probably be room to put this. Currently, there isn't enough space 
to fit the laptop.

>> Ultimately though, even if I could see what I was doing, I would
>> probably still have broken the hair-thin spins on this damned
>> connector...
>
> I've never been able to replace those. There must be a knack to it.

There is: Use a machine.

Seriously. The factory where they assemble these things surely does this 
by machine. They can't possibly be using a human to do it.

The "normal" flexible edge connectors are hard enough, but these ones 
have a tiny flap or clip that goes over the top. Except I managed to 
snap that off too...

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Invisible wrote:
>(And, naturally, our entire office is always half
> dark because it would cost too much money to illuminate it adequately.)

http://www.google.com/search?q=flexible+edge+connectors&hl=en&client=seamonkey-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:unofficial&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=KF2XToTNPMni0QHo_uyuBA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CDIQ_AUoAQ&biw=1360&bih=586

check the light strips, if you could get really white lights you could 
illuminate anything, you don't need much power, LEDS take 0.7V and 
little amperage since they seem to be connected in parallel.

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