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View Full Version : How Do You Fix a Shift Key?


SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 06:33 PM
I had some dirt and grime under my shift key on my laptop, so I popped the shift key off to clean it, but now I can't get the thing back on.

It has one of those metal bars so I'm not sure where exactly it's suppose to go.
Here's a pic
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/SicEmBaylor/Key.jpg
slickdawg
7/6/2006, 06:52 PM
the little metal tabs on the keyboard should hold the little metal bars
from the key, and it pops back in place.
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 06:58 PM
the little metal tabs on the keyboard should hold the little metal bars
from the key, and it pops back in place.

That is the weird thing. The metal tab on the right is like a little hook tha the metal wire on the key itself fits under. On the left though it's a solid loop and the end of the metal wire won't go through the little hoop. My eyes aren't good enough to see down in there to know why it won't go through the hole, but it doesn't look like anything at all can. this is what has confused me.
slickdawg
7/6/2006, 07:00 PM
Take another picture, but at an angle so I can see the hole on the keyboard.
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 07:08 PM
My camera wont' take a clear picture that up close, but I'll keep trying to get a good one.

I took a very tiny needle to see if it go through tha that loop on the left and it doesn't. It's completely solid in the middle with no "hole" for the metal clip on the key to go into. Very strange.
BajaOklahoma
7/6/2006, 07:10 PM
Is it a Dell? If so, and it is still under warranty, they will replace it. The keys are very hard to reposition.

and don't tell 'em you took it off.
slickdawg
7/6/2006, 07:11 PM
I'd guess that's an IBM.
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 07:11 PM
It's a HP. If I can't fix it then I'll run it into CompUSA or something and have them stick it back on. That shouldn't be too big a deal or cost too much.
Vaevictis
7/6/2006, 07:20 PM
From that picture, it almost looks as if it was soldered on originally.
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 07:31 PM
From that picture, it almost looks as if it was soldered on originally.
That sounds pricely to fix.
achiro
7/6/2006, 07:35 PM
and next time aim it in another direction so you don't get it on your keyboard.
King Crimson
7/6/2006, 07:37 PM
and next time aim it in another direction so you don't get it on your keyboard.

:eek:
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 07:41 PM
I called CompUSA on 71st street and they'll fix it for 20.00. I guess I'll take it up there tomorrow; I just don't want to hang out at CompUSA all day.
King Crimson
7/6/2006, 07:46 PM
I called CompUSA on 71st street and they'll fix it for 20.00. I guess I'll take it up there tomorrow; I just don't want to hang out at CompUSA all day.

you can buy a new keyboard for 20$.
Vaevictis
7/6/2006, 07:50 PM
That sounds pricely to fix.

Nah, not too bad. Just grab a soldering iron and some solder; hard part is getting under the key to apply the last bit.

If it does need soldering, I will say it's probably a pain in the ***, so it's probably worth the $20 to have it fixed for you.
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 07:56 PM
you can buy a new keyboard for 20$.
A laptop keyboard?
King Crimson
7/6/2006, 07:58 PM
A laptop keyboard?

ah, OK. sorry, i'm huffing paint thinner tonight.
Scott D
7/6/2006, 08:03 PM
A laptop keyboard?

reason 2054455 that laptops suck.
OUinFLA
7/6/2006, 08:11 PM
I cant believe you wussy type Baylor actin college students.

It's time you learned how to fix dang near anything in life.

Go to the hardware store (or Wal-mart if you really are a wussy) and get a roll of this.............................AND TRY TO USE IT FIRST!

http://www.rsci.com/uploads/images/18/duct-tape.jpg
SoonerInKCMO
7/6/2006, 08:17 PM
Don't you have two shift keys? Does the other one still work?
Jerk
7/6/2006, 08:25 PM
Poor a little Zima on it and blow dry it.
WILBURJIM
7/6/2006, 08:56 PM
WHAT'S A SHIFT KEY DO/:confused:
Ruuuuuufus
7/6/2006, 10:16 PM
superglue man
SicEmBaylor
7/6/2006, 10:22 PM
superglue man
i just tried something similar to super glue called "goof."
Ike
7/6/2006, 10:52 PM
fold the damn bar back up under the key and snap it back on. see if you can just force it down without worrying about where the metal bar goes. don't be afraid to use more force than you think is nessecary.

honestly, I don't think it matters as long as you can get it close to the guide posts.



and yeah, you can get a laptop keyboard for about $20 (depending on the model....some do go as high as 100). But knowing you, you'd also have to pay someone ~$80 to install it for you.
mdklatt
7/6/2006, 11:01 PM
It's kinda like changing a flat tire......never mind.
Ike
7/6/2006, 11:04 PM
It's kinda like changing a flat tire......never mind.


:D
OCUDad
7/6/2006, 11:06 PM
The Mad Scientist is grumpy tonight.

NTTAWWT
Ike
7/6/2006, 11:14 PM
grumpy? hell, today was a good day. You ain't seen nuthin yet.