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136410
August 2nd, 2012 14:00
remove vostro 1440 keyboard
I need to get inside my vostro 1440 to replace the wireles card, but I can't figure out how to remove the keyboard.
The user manual at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/vos1440/en/SM/sm_en.pdf says to "Pry up to release the top four snaps securing the keyboard to the computer."
what does "pry up" mean?I think I shoud be lifting up something metallic (the keyboard frame) not the flimsy pastic that surrounds the keys right?
do I need to do all 4 snaps at once? when I push with a screwdriver I can't feel which way it's supposed to give and don't want to damage the laptop
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papaschtroumpf
5 Posts
1
August 9th, 2012 08:00
I bit the bullet and gave it a try.
the 4 little clips will push back / recess back so you need to grab a small screw drive or similar, push them in at a 45 degree angle towards the back, making sure the blade goes in front/below the clips then bring the screwdriver to the vertical while prying up the corner of the keyboard at the same time.
the rest of the operation is as described in the PDF I linked to in my original post. make sure to fully remove the screws from the back before prying the palm guard off.
Make sure you also understand how to remove/reconnect the ribbon cables:
for the keyboard ribbon, the black part of the connector opens up like a lid, and you can remove the cable by lifting it. do not force by pulling back on the ribbon.
for the other smaller ribbon cables (power and touchpad), the black part of the connector slides upwards slightly to unlock the cable. slide it up, pull the cable (there should be no resistance). when connecting it back, slide the cable in (there should be no resistance), there is a line on the cable showing when it's pushed in enough, then push the blavk part of the connector down to lock it in place.
A bit if a harrowing experience, poor design on Dell's part (they worked at making sure the laptop was hard to upgrade), but I got through it and now have 5Gb Wi-Fi support with my new wireless card.
sponto
1 Message
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August 4th, 2012 16:00
Same problem. I wanted to add memory. I already cosmetically ruined the plastic edge around one of the slots prying just a little too much with the screwdriver. It is just too delicate and as you pointed out the directions are pretty much useless.
buckeye3d
1 Message
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August 8th, 2012 08:00
Same problem here. No one can help?
papaschtroumpf
5 Posts
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August 8th, 2012 13:00
I found this video but the guy films anywhere *but* what I want to see :)
dkraut
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40 Posts
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January 28th, 2013 17:00
It's an awful design and I'm really disappointed in Dell for such a poor design and poor instructions. I can't imagine how many people destroy their keyboards trying to perform a RAM upgrade. My suggestion is that you use 2 very small screwdrivers along with a magnifying glass so you can see how the tabs move and recess. Move a tab back with one screwdriver while using the other to gently pry up and release the keyboard edge. If you try to remove with a regular sized screwdriver, you will destroy the keyboard.