Hi laurentv,
I just had this answer ready to post when your clarification came in
and I see that you have a notebook rather then a desktop. I don't have
a notebook and so can't give you hands-on experience for one but I'm
sure another researcher will be able to help you. I'm posting my
answer as a comment in the event it can help you or at least you will
find some of it useful. If you find it satisfies your request, let me
know and I will be happy to post it as an answer.
Cheers,
hummer
------------------------
Here's the answer I had ready before your clarification arrived:
I'm going to plunge ahead here and assume you have an "L" shaped
"Enter" key in your hand, one piece, which has one or two bent wires
attached (sort of "C" shaped). I have a keyboard sitting here beside
me and I've taken off the "Enter" key (the "L" shaped kind although
yours may be a rectangle). I tried to take a photo of replacing the
key, but I do not believe it is possible to get an image of anything
useful. You would need a tiny micro camera with a light that could be
placed under the procedure, rather then looking down from above.
Therefore, I'll try to explain the best I can.
First of all, popping your keys off to clean your keyboard is not
considered unusual as part of routine maintenance, so don't be too
nervous that you have one in your hand! Depending on your keyboard,
you might find it helpful (but not necessary) to remove the smaller
keys that are surrounding the spot where your Enter key wants to go -
this would give you more finger room. To pop out a key, just place a
wide screw driver or flat knife under the key cap and pry gently (make
sure to note first in which direction they go).
The trick to replacing the Enter key is to have the wires slightly
heading in the direction they are going to go in order to slip under
the plastic holders on the keyboard. I'm wondering why your Enter key
came loose to begin with - maybe the wires need to be bent back in
shape a bit.
Hold the cap in your hand straight over the keyboard (parallel to the
keyboard). Have the wire(s) flopping down towards the keyboard. Now
note which way they are going to slide into their plastic holders and
slightly point them in that direction. Slowly move the cap towards the
keyboard, watching to make sure the wires stay leaning "in". After you
make contact, you can remove your hand and take a deep breath, and
decide if you think it went down ok or not. You can pick it back up
again and try again as many times as you want to. When you are happy
with the positioning of the wires (in that they are going to slide
into those holders rather then head in the opposite direction), it is
just a matter of giving the cap an extra push, and it will pop back
into place. If it doesn't feel or work right, you can take two flat
knives, place one on each side of the cap, and pry it back up again
and try again. As with most things, the first time you do something is
the hardest. After you get the feel of it, you'll see that it is
fairly easy.
Here are some links to help you feel better about removing the caps
and some tips on cleaning the keyboard.
Computer Care Tips: Keyboard Cleaning Tips:
"Gently remove each of the keys, making note of where each key goes,
or clean them one at a time."
http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4compcare.html
How to clean a computer keyboard:
"can be removed on most keyboards. Just use a small flat head
screwdriver to pry the offending key off and after cleaning they snap
right back on."
Copyright 2000 Howtocleananything.com
http://www.howtocleananything.com/hca_article_computer.htm
How to Clean Sticky Keyboard Keys:
"Using a letter opener or similiar implement, gently pry the keys
off."
http://support.gateway.com/support/techdocs/mousekeyboard/30135.shtml
How to Clean a Computer Keyboard:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/wizzweb/clean/keyboard.htm
Additional Links of Interest:
Dvorak Simplified Keyboard:
http://www.users.voicenet.com/~grassie/Fldr.Articles/Simplified.html
Custom computer keyboard products by Hooleon:
http://hooleon.com/
I hope this helps - if you have any questions or if I haven't
satisfied your request, please post a clarification before rating my
answer.
Thank you and good luck,
hummer
Search Strategy:
Talked to Bob who knows most everything about most things.
://www.google.ca/search?as_q=removing+keys&num=100&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=computer+keyboard&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images
Terms Used:
removing keys
"computer keyboard" |
