I need to buy a replacement keyboard for my (rather old) Sony Vaio
SR1K. I see some possibly-compatible keyboards available on eBay.
The model numbers are similar to mine, as yet I've not found any
evidence that these keyboards are/are not compatible with mine.
I'm a computer scientist of 15 years, I can repair equipment - I know
the pitfalls of assuming that almost-identical part numbers are
compatible! I'd like someone to find evidence that the following
items are or are not compatible with my unit.
I don't mind if I end up with a US keyboard on my UK laptop, as long
as all the keys work, I'll be happy.
Details of my laptop:
English Sony Vaio SR1K, approximately 5 years old. Orange juice was
spilled on the keyboard, the rest of the laptop works but the machine
needs re-installing. To use the original recovery disks I need to be
able to press the 'c' key, and later I imagine I'll need to enter a
serial number - only the keys on the edge of the keyboard still work,
so this won't be possible (certainly the 'c' key doesn't work so I
can't even reinstall). To add to its problems a weight was dropped
onto the centre of the keyboard damaging the membrane in that area.
It is safe to say that the existing keyboard is mostly-dead.
I'm confident that with a new keyboard I can reinstall my laptop, and
I'm familiar with electrical/static procedures - I'm more than
comfortable disassembling and rebuilding sensitive equipment. I've
done some searching but haven't found the infomration I need - perhaps
someone else can do a more thorough job than me?
I've taken my existing keyboard out (having tried running switch
cleaner and distilled water through it to remove orange juice residue
- with no improvement). The details on the back of the keyboard are:
kfrlba009a
*147614831* (I've also seen this written as "1-476-148-31" on the web)
*05T01378*
The second detail seems to be the important one "147614831". I
believe the 31 indicates a UK keyboard.
I've found new replacement UK keyboards listed for $60-$130 US. I'm
happy to use a 2nd hand keyboard, and eBay is offering some options.
There are also broken semi-complete SR1K units on ebay, if I win one
of these then my troubles are solved. Alternatively if I can identify
an equivalent keyboard then I can probably make a cheaper purchase,
hence this question.
From previous research I believe that the SR5K and SR7K are equivalent
models to the SR1K, probably the others are US models. I'm not
absolutely certain on this, nor do I know if a US keyboard will work
in a UK model.
The following eBay auctions are of interest to me. I'd like
confirmation on which of these are/are not compatible with my SR1K.
As stated, I don't mind a US keyboard configuration (though I'd prefer
UK) - I just want a working keyboard.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6760251449&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
"Taken from a PGC-SR9G, part no.KFRLBA008B, model 147614822"
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6760424829&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
"SONY VAIO LAPTOP KEYBOARD UK TAKEN FROM MODEL PCG-9L1M"
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6760341208&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
"SONY VIAO PCG-SR5K LAPTOP keyboard 147614821"
If it is possible to answer this question in the short time before the
following spare-parts auction ends, then I'll pay a $5 bonus:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6759710495&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
"Sony Vaio SR1K,500mhz,64mb,spares."
ending Monday 18th April 2005 9.30pm UK time (BST).
Failing that, if I get an answer in the next few days I'll be happy.
Please contact me for further clarifications if necessary.
Kind regards, Ian. |
