Under the keyboard cleaning?

[ItalianScallion]

Hello friends; I'm needing your expertise. I have a 4 year old Dell Laptop and I spilled a bit of juice on the keyboard last night. After a thorough bath in contact cleaner and then drying with my air compresor, everything works fine except the "a, s, left ctrl & right arrow" keys. They don't stick, they just require a firm push or 2 or 3 to work. How hard is it to take apart to clean and can it be cleaned? Thanks, as always!

 

[Proud_Nana]

We had a glass of wine spilt on ours. Immediately turned it upside down and shook out what we could. Then we took it all apart very carefully and cleaned it gently with q-tips. A few of the keys still stuck on us, so we bought a new keyboard pad to replace the damaged one. Fairly inexpensive, and it did the trick If I find all the exact details of where we purchased, etc., I will post again....good luck!

 

[GWguy]

Once you get sugar in the keys it's tough to get out. Don't try to clean it in the laptop you'll just increase your chances of damaging the computer.

If you can remove the keyboard, you might be able to flush it with alcohol. It's possible to remove the key caps to clean a bit better under the key cap, but the plastic is cheap and it's real easy to break the snap-ins trying to put them back in.

It might get better over time.

 

[ItalianScallion]

We had a glass of wine spilt on ours. Immediately turned it upside down and shook out what we could. Then we took it all apart very carefully and cleaned it gently with q-tips. A few of the keys still stuck on us, so we bought a new keyboard pad to replace the damaged one. Fairly inexpensive, and it did the trick If I find all the exact details of where we purchased, etc., I will post again....good luck!

I think I would like to try that if I can figure out which screws hold the cover in place. Was yours a laptop? If so, do you remember which screws held the top in place?

Once you get sugar in the keys it's tough to get out. Don't try to clean it in the laptop you'll just increase your chances of damaging the computer.
If you can remove the keyboard, you might be able to flush it with alcohol. It's possible to remove the key caps to clean a bit better under the key cap, but the plastic is cheap and it's real easy to break the snap-ins trying to put them back in. It might get better over time.

Last night I immediately turned it on it's side and flushed it with contact cleaner spray until the "cran-raspberry" juice was drained out. Then I dried it with compressed air and let it sit over night. Isn't each key an actual push button that is located under the pad? I know about removing the buttons; What an ordeal! They are certainly not designed to be removed without a special tool, if at all.

I'm wondering if you have any idea which screws to remove. There are soo many of them and they're all the same. I was hoping that there would be only 4 holding the 4 corners but that would be too much like right...

 

[dustin]

if you can get the whole keypad out and disassembled, you could try soaking the whole thing in isopropyl alcohol overnight, then using air compressor to blow it off... then let air dry...

 

[GWguy]

Google something like "hp 8510p keyboard removal", using your make and model. You should be able to find illustrated step-by-step instructions.

Remove the battery before doing anything.

 

[ItalianScallion]

if you can get the whole keypad out and disassembled, you could try soaking the whole thing in isopropyl alcohol overnight, then using air compressor to blow it off... then let air dry...

Thanks Dustin, I will try that tomorrow but I might just replace the keyboard since it's inexpensive. Any local shops in So Md that sell them? I see that Amazon does...I'm soo pi$$ed that this is my 2nd spill...

Google something like "hp 8510p keyboard removal", using your make and model. You should be able to find illustrated step-by-step instructions. Remove the battery before doing anything.

I just did that and it seems that even I could do it. I'll tackle it tomorrow. Sometimes I don't fully realize how informative the internet is. You tube had exactly what I needed. Thank you all soo much for your help!

 

[Proud_Nana]

[ItalianScallion] I think I would like to try that if I can figure out which screws hold the cover in place. Was yours a laptop? If so, do you remember which screws held the top in place?

Go to dell.com and download manual to see which screws to remove....we had the entire thing apart, because it was full of wine. We really thought we were going to have to buy a new laptop, but replacing the keyboard did the trick and we haven't had any trouble since...and it has been two years.

I have a Dell Inspiron - I think it is model 1720
Replacement keypad was $50
Free shipping and it arrived in like 2 days

Parts-People.com, INC - The Dell Laptop Experts
Parts-People Dell Laptop Parts & Dell Laptop Repair Service
512-339-1990

I don't know if this will help or not.....
hubby just found link for my manual for my 1720.... Documentation
maybe you go follow this and then link back and find your model.

GOOD LUCK !

 

[jetmonkey]

Hello friends; I'm needing your expertise. I have a 4 year old Dell Laptop and I spilled a bit of juice on the keyboard last night. After a thorough bath in contact cleaner and then drying with my air compresor, everything works fine except the "a, s, left ctrl & right arrow" keys. They don't stick, they just require a firm push or 2 or 3 to work. How hard is it to take apart to clean and can it be cleaned? Thanks, as always!

gross

 

[ItalianScallion]

Go to dell.com and download manual to see which screws to remove....we had the entire thing apart, because it was full of wine. We really thought we were going to have to buy a new laptop, but replacing the keyboard did the trick and we haven't had any trouble since...and it has been two years.
I have a Dell Inspiron - I think it is model 1720. Replacement keypad was $50
Free shipping and it arrived in like 2 days. GOOD LUCK !

Thanks soo much! I looked it up on You Tube and found which ones to remove but the ribbon connector wouldn't come out.

Removing the keyboard was very easy until I got to the ribbon connector removal. I've come to the conclusion, on mine (Inspiron E1505) the connector does not come off the circuit board. I pulled, pried and yelled at it while trying very hard not to break it but I still could not remove it.

Anyone want to guess what happened? (No, it didn't break) but a small black cover with pins in it (that clamps the ribbon cable onto the connector) popped up on top of the connector and the ribbon cable itself came off. As ignorant as this seems, I honestly think this is the way it's supposed to come off because the connector will not budge.

Just for fun, I laid the ribbon cable back in the connector and re-closed the connector cover and the keyboard worked again (all keys except the 4 bad ones). :shrug: This is freakin nuts!!

I called Dell Friday morning and ordered a new keyboard ($19.99 + $6 to ship. Not bad!). When it arrives Monday or Tuesday I'll be able to see if it comes with a new connector or just the ribbon cable that I have to clamp down into the connector. Does this seem right to any of you? How easy it would have been to just make the entire connector unplug???
Right now I'm using an external keyboard and it works just fine.

gross

 

[GWguy]

That connector is called a ZIF (zero insertion force) connector and works exactly they way you discovered. Pulling up on the two tabs on either side of the connector on the board releases the ribbon. To put it back together, make sure the tabs are up all the way, insert the ribbon, then push the connector tab back down to lock it.

 

[ItalianScallion]

That connector is called a ZIF (zero insertion force) connector and works exactly they way you discovered. Pulling up on the two tabs on either side of the connector on the board releases the ribbon. To put it back together, make sure the tabs are up all the way, insert the ribbon, then push the connector tab back down to lock it.

I am soo glad to hear that even though it certainly did not look that way on Youtube. I looked up the keyboard removal for this exact model and it sure looked like a connector came off with the ribbon cable. Thanks!

 

[Katelin]

Hello friends; I'm needing your expertise. I have a 4 year old Dell Laptop and I spilled a bit of juice on the keyboard last night. After a thorough bath in contact cleaner and then drying with my air compresor, everything works fine except the "a, s, left ctrl & right arrow" keys. They don't stick, they just require a firm push or 2 or 3 to work. How hard is it to take apart to clean and can it be cleaned? Thanks, as always!

Go to Dell website, get into a 1x1 chat with a tech..explain problem and they will advise.
Also, Dell does have FAQs and How To's on their web site.
Might be a way to remove the keyboard and clean it.....
there is a rubber/plastic separator between most keyboards and the insides of a laptop.

 

[ItalianScallion]

Ok, now I'm getting the run around with Dell and I'm pi$$ed! They've called me twice now and said that the keyboard will be delayed for another week. I ordered it on Feb 18 and they said it would be here in 5 days. They called me a week later and said another week. Then they did it again tonight.

Are there ANY places in So Md that sells these and has them in stock? Thanks all!

 

[dustin]

if youre really set on getting the thing to run you could go buy a USB keyboard. they normally run around 30 bucks... but then you lose the portablility...

 

[ItalianScallion]

if youre really set on getting the thing to run you could go buy a USB keyboard. they normally run around 30 bucks... but then you lose the portablility...

That's what I'm using now and I hate it. I'll wait until tomorrow and if nothing shows up on here I'll get one from Amazon with expedited shipping. Thanks Dustin.

 

[Proud_Nana]

Did you contact the people (below) that I originally referred you too? They were very quick to ship.

Parts-People.com, INC - The Dell Laptop Experts
Parts-People Dell Laptop Parts & Dell Laptop Repair Service
512-339-1990

 

[ItalianScallion]

Did you contact the people (below) that I originally referred you too? They were very quick to ship.

Parts-People.com, INC - The Dell Laptop Experts
Parts-People Dell Laptop Parts & Dell Laptop Repair Service
512-339-1990

No, I'm sorry Nana, I didn't (It slipped my mind; which isn't difficult to do lately). I called Dell and they said: "the keyboard had to be ordered from Dell". After finding out it didn't have to be (and 2 shipment delay calls from them), I cancelled my order. I ordered it from Amazon last night and it was shipped today and will be here Monday or Tuesday. I will look up that website and keep it saved for next time.

 

[clevalley]

I just read this...


You can also clean a keyboard by soaking it in a tub of warm water, a tiny bit of soap will help as well... slosh the keyboard around and move the sticky keys to loosen up the debirs. Then rinse it with clear warm water when the keys are free until no suds are present. After that, shake it off and let it dry for a few days - putting it near an air register will do the trick.

The first time I saw this, I thought the guy was nuts - but it worked. This was back in the day where keyboards were not a dime-a-dozen either. Maybe worth a shot - at least you would have a decent spare for the next time you spill your gin and juice on it.

 

[ItalianScallion]

I just read this...
You can also clean a keyboard by soaking it in a tub of warm water, a tiny bit of soap will help as well... slosh the keyboard around and move the sticky keys to loosen up the debirs. Then rinse it with clear warm water when the keys are free until no suds are present. After that, shake it off and let it dry for a few days - putting it near an air register will do the trick.

The first time I saw this, I thought the guy was nuts - but it worked. This was back in the day where keyboards were not a dime-a-dozen either. Maybe worth a shot - at least you would have a decent spare for the next time you spill your gin and juice on it.

Thanks Cl. I've tried the soaking/cleaner route and it cleared the sticking keys but 4 of them still will not work. I spilled cran-raspberry juice on it and it seems to have a powerful effect. I dripped some on a marble floor once and it left a mark that won't come off. On marble??!!

And uh, it's Vodka & Tonic TYVM. Hope you folks are doing well...