it is very easy to replace the keyboard on a dell laptop, even kids can do it. but if you're in doubt you can go to support.dell.com for the user guide, or you can always call tech support. but believe me, calling them is no longer necessary. all you need is remove the hinge cover (where the power button is), pry it up, look for the 2 screws (in some models, 4 screws) that hold the keyboard down to the board, remove the keyboard cable, put the other one in, put the screws and the hinge cover back, presto!
Thanks very much. It sound pretty easy. Tech support is impossible to get to. Do you have a shortcut phone number. Dell is just very frustrating with all the menus.
yup it's quite difficult to reach tech support due to its very complicated menu and we do get a lot of callers complaining about the hold time too...we're still working on it. :smileywink:
just make sure you punch in your express service code when prompted, for your convenience.
you might want to call between 7am-12nn EST...it's faster, especially during the weekdays.
but there's always www.support.dell.com, just put your service tag, choose USER GUIDE, everything you need to know about your computer is there. goodluck! :smileywink:
Thanks very much for the info. I received a new keyboard in the mail today and had my son-in-law install it in my computer. It took 10 minutes. Done. But you are right, "if it's not broken, don't fix it."
I tried to find the User Guide that Pikotski mentioned; I followed the link, found "User Guides and Manuals" in a dropdown menu, and got to a 404 message that the page could not be found. Any other ideas about getting directions for replacing a keyboard on an Inspiron 1200?
Also, I'm not sure if I have to replace the whole keyboard. Suddenly yesterday the C,D,E, and 2 keys stopped working correctly; now, each time I touch one, it prints (on the screen) its own letter plus the letter next to it (touching E prints ER, touching D prints DF, touching C prints CV; touching 2 brings up the search menu.) The computer wasn't moved and nothing was spilled on it between the time it last worked correctly and the time it stopped working correctly, but the fact that the malfunctioning keys are in a line suggests that something is wrong with a connection underneath them. Do I need to replace the whole keyboard? Can I order one from Dell, or should I just try one of the many that came up on eBay when I googled "Dell Inspiron 1200 keyboard"?
My daughter spilled orange juice down her keyboard, and some of the keys are sticking. After reading the previous posts, I think we could probably replace the keyboard ourselves. After looking at the Dell replacement parts, is it true that the keyboards are only around $20? Am I looking at the right part?
Also, I'm not sure if I have to replace the whole keyboard. Suddenly yesterday the C,D,E, and 2 keys stopped working correctly; now, each time I touch one, it prints (on the screen) its own letter plus the letter next to it (touching E prints ER, touching D prints DF, touching C prints CV; touching 2 brings up the search menu.)
I received no help from this list, but I had to have a functioning keyboard, so I ordered one that I found via Google and installed it with information that I found here: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins2200/en/SM/keyboard.htm#1084976 Don't lose this URL, as this documentation was very difficult to find.
I found the keyboard here: http://www.stephan-i.com/ A refurbished keyboard cost $32, $12 of which was for shipping; it arrived within a few days and it worked fine. If Dell sells its own replacement keyboards, it hides them well; I could never find a source for OEM equipment through them.
Using the directions from the website above, the new keyboard was easy to install.
I didn't spill anything on my keyboard or otherwise abuse it, and I have to wonder why the original keyboard failed after only 8 months. However, that's a subject for another bb, I suppose.
pikotski
74 Posts
0
March 7th, 2006 21:00
century21realto
3 Posts
0
March 7th, 2006 22:00
pikotski
74 Posts
0
March 9th, 2006 00:00
yup it's quite difficult to reach tech support due to its very complicated menu and we do get a lot of callers complaining about the hold time too...we're still working on it. :smileywink:
just make sure you punch in your express service code when prompted, for your convenience.
you might want to call between 7am-12nn EST...it's faster, especially during the weekdays.
but there's always www.support.dell.com, just put your service tag, choose USER GUIDE, everything you need to know about your computer is there. goodluck! :smileywink:
century21realto
3 Posts
0
March 9th, 2006 01:00
Thanks very much for the info. I received a new keyboard in the mail today and had my son-in-law install it in my computer. It took 10 minutes. Done. But you are right, "if it's not broken, don't fix it."
Take care and thanks so much.
Cate2
2 Posts
0
March 10th, 2006 15:00
I tried to find the User Guide that Pikotski mentioned; I followed the link, found "User Guides and Manuals" in a dropdown menu, and got to a 404 message that the page could not be found. Any other ideas about getting directions for replacing a keyboard on an Inspiron 1200?
Also, I'm not sure if I have to replace the whole keyboard. Suddenly yesterday the C,D,E, and 2 keys stopped working correctly; now, each time I touch one, it prints (on the screen) its own letter plus the letter next to it (touching E prints ER, touching D prints DF, touching C prints CV; touching 2 brings up the search menu.) The computer wasn't moved and nothing was spilled on it between the time it last worked correctly and the time it stopped working correctly, but the fact that the malfunctioning keys are in a line suggests that something is wrong with a connection underneath them. Do I need to replace the whole keyboard? Can I order one from Dell, or should I just try one of the many that came up on eBay when I googled "Dell Inspiron 1200 keyboard"?
sitterkim
1 Message
0
March 14th, 2006 01:00
richiew13
1 Rookie
•
7 Posts
0
April 10th, 2006 23:00
I'm having the same problem!
Cate2
2 Posts
0
April 11th, 2006 14:00
I received no help from this list, but I had to have a functioning keyboard, so I ordered one that I found via Google and installed it with information that I found here: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins2200/en/SM/keyboard.htm#1084976 Don't lose this URL, as this documentation was very difficult to find.
I found the keyboard here: http://www.stephan-i.com/ A refurbished keyboard cost $32, $12 of which was for shipping; it arrived within a few days and it worked fine. If Dell sells its own replacement keyboards, it hides them well; I could never find a source for OEM equipment through them.
Using the directions from the website above, the new keyboard was easy to install.
I didn't spill anything on my keyboard or otherwise abuse it, and I have to wonder why the original keyboard failed after only 8 months. However, that's a subject for another bb, I suppose.