Dell Latitude L400

mlleangelique · 07-09-2007, 10:54 AM

Hello,

This may be a bit of a long shot, but the keyboard on my Latitude L400 has just died; first only the keys on the right-hand side stopped working, then after resetting, none of them worked. Does anyone know if it's at all possible this is something that could be fixed, or is the hardware simply irreparably messed up?

Thanks!

**kodi** · 07-09-2007, 12:55 PM

You might be able to get a replacement keyboard on Ebay , it's normally not a big job to replace the keyboard.
If you decide to go ahead PM me and I"ll see if i have a schematic and instructions hidden away amongst all my old junk files

mlleangelique · 07-09-2007, 01:12 PM

Hmm, that sounds a bit terrifying (I'm fine with software, but tend to feel like hardware will EXPLODE. Or at least just stop working, anyway) but it might be somewhat cheaper than buying yet another laptop. Is there a way to test whether it is definitely the keyboard and not, say, some dodgy connection inside? Either way, something "how-to"-ish would be great.

**kodi** · 07-09-2007, 02:02 PM

Don,t let it scare you as you can see from the attached diagram all you need is a small phillips screwdriver, well have repairing laptops as a business soon.
Undo the screws and lift the keyboard and check that the cable is attached firmly, if they are the next thing will be to replace it.
If you are not sure on how to undo the connector on the cable (Zif Connector) don't force it post back and i will Post instructions

http://www.techsupportforum.com/atta...1&d=1184010868
IMG.jpg

mlleangelique · 07-09-2007, 02:30 PM

Ah! The bit at the back snaps up, and it looks like it should be easy after that. It's being used at the moment (with external keyboard), but once I'm able to I'll try opening it up, and then buy a keyboard off eBay if necessary. Thank you! I'll come back if I'm having problems.

**kodi** · 07-09-2007, 02:55 PM

Please post back your results as this may help others in a similar position

mlleangelique · 07-10-2007, 11:18 AM

Hurrah! I realised I didn't have to buy a new keyboard, because I have three old laptops all of the same type (which should maybe tell me to stop buying them; but they're tiny, and sleek, and cheap). So I just replaced one with the other using the instructions given above (and for anyone else's reference, that bit at the back doesn't just snap up - it only kind of does on one side - instead, you need to poke a pin into the hole above the Ins key, and slide the bar to the side). And now it seems to work, which is good.

07-09-2007, 10:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
mlleangelique Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Dell Latitude L400 Hello, This may be a bit of a long shot, but the keyboard on my Latitude L400 has just died; first only the keys on the right-hand side stopped working, then after resetting, none of them worked. Does anyone know if it's at all possible this is something that could be fixed, or is the hardware simply irreparably messed up? Thanks!

07-09-2007, 12:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,408 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: Dell Latitude L400 You might be able to get a replacement keyboard on Ebay , it's normally not a big job to replace the keyboard. If you decide to go ahead PM me and I"ll see if i have a schematic and instructions hidden away amongst all my old junk files __________________ Brian

07-09-2007, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
mlleangelique Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: Dell Latitude L400 Hmm, that sounds a bit terrifying (I'm fine with software, but tend to feel like hardware will EXPLODE. Or at least just stop working, anyway) but it might be somewhat cheaper than buying yet another laptop. Is there a way to test whether it is definitely the keyboard and not, say, some dodgy connection inside? Either way, something "how-to"-ish would be great.

07-09-2007, 02:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
mlleangelique Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: Dell Latitude L400 Ah! The bit at the back snaps up, and it looks like it should be easy after that. It's being used at the moment (with external keyboard), but once I'm able to I'll try opening it up, and then buy a keyboard off eBay if necessary. Thank you! I'll come back if I'm having problems.

07-09-2007, 02:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
kodi Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 7,408 OS: Windows 7-Ultimate 64 Bit My System	Re: Dell Latitude L400 Please post back your results as this may help others in a similar position __________________ Brian

07-10-2007, 11:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
mlleangelique Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: XP	Re: Dell Latitude L400 Hurrah! I realised I didn't have to buy a new keyboard, because I have three old laptops all of the same type (which should maybe tell me to stop buying them; but they're tiny, and sleek, and cheap). So I just replaced one with the other using the instructions given above (and for anyone else's reference, that bit at the back doesn't just snap up - it only kind of does on one side - instead, you need to poke a pin into the hole above the Ins key, and slide the bar to the side). And now it seems to work, which is good.