replacing laptop keyboard?

[Ridge]

re-posting from an IRC since im lazy to re-type

<Ridge> so this new keyboard has http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/8084/0706082001bkx2.jpg at the top of the ribbon cable
<Ridge> but then my laptop has http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7286/0706082001ahs6.jpg
<Ridge> and my old keyboard has http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4329/0706082002agj4.jpg which i think broke off
<@eXonyte> I must be missing something.
<@eXonyte> they look the same, except that the old one looks kinked
<@eXonyte> and I can't make out anything meaningful of the laptop itself
<Ridge> its a sony vaio n250e
<Ridge> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=120276263116 is what i bought
<@eXonyte> so does it just not fit or something?
<Ridge> it fits
<Ridge> its just that one part in the second picture
<Ridge> i think it was from my old keyboard and it broke off since my new keyboard has something under it that looks like that
<@eXonyte> hm.

plz halp

[Zakamiro]

so, what exactly is the problem? Installation? Ribbons not compatible?

[Ridge]

that one piece wont go in since theres a screw or something in the hole

[Zakamiro]

why not take out the screw?

[Ridge]

i can't, turning it or just trying to pull it out wont work

[Spectere]

What model is your laptop, exactly?

[Ridge]

http://www.notebookreview.com/price/default.asp?productID=18097&productFamilyID=889&display=priceDetail

dis one

[Spectere]

Oh, dur, it was in your original post. =(

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like they have any repair manuals available on Sony's site (another point for Dell so I don't know exactly what the installation procedure is for them.

With some laptops you have to take them almost completely apart to find where the ribbon cable goes.  I remember replacing the keyboard on IBM ThinkPads to be quite a bear, for example.  You might have to remove the bottom in order to get around the (what looks to be a) metal plate.

If you can upload better quality pictures (or even ones with better lighting) that would help out a lot.

[Zakamiro]

Another point for dell? >.> :\

Oh, and so i herd he's gonna bring it to an extreme laptop repair megacenter.

[Spectere]

Another point for dell? >.> :\

They have service manuals freely available on their site.

Oh, and their laptop keyboards would take even a retarded gorilla two minutes to replace.  Actually, I have yet to see a Dell notebook that's difficult to take apart, even when it comes to the mobo and such.  I was looking through the manual for mine because I wanted to upgrade the thermal paste with Arctic Silver and clean it out (my laptop is 2.5 years old and it's definitely running a bit warmer now) and it really isn't all that hard.  The old Alienware laptops are easy to service as well.

IBM is pretty okay.  The first one you do is a bit tricky but after that it's a breeze.

HP/Compaq laptops are a BITCH to dismantle.  I don't advise servicing them.

Oh, and so i herd he's gonna bring it to an extreme laptop repair megacenter.

It's probably for the best.  Some laptops are a royal bitch to work on.

[Bobbias]

I'd hate to have to pay someone to move parts around in something I own. Honestly, unless I really need to help that badly and can't get anyone, most work/maintenance on my vehicle, whenever I get one, will likely be done by me and my friends.

My friends are damn good with that sort of stuff, and I'm perfectly willing to learn.

[Ridge]

keyboard = fixed

i took it into the repair shop and the asian guy was like wuu tong and in less than 5 minutes it was fixed. I have no idea what the shit he did but it was fixed and i was charged 25$

the keyboard feels so new though

[Bobbias]

Ugh, I couldn't stand paying $25 for some guy to spend a couple minutes doing that shit.

[Spectere]

Better to spend $25 than waste several hours because you don't have the necessary experience/documentation.

[Ridge]

Just to end the thread, here is a crappy webcam pic