Category: Geeks r Us
Hi yall.
So, somehow my right shift key developed a crack in the keycap and ultimately a corner of it broke off.
I've got an Acer Aspire M-583 or something like that. I'll have to look up the specific model number if in fact replacing this key is possible. Anyway, each key is in its own little spot, if that makes sense. Is it possible to replace just the broken key top? If so, is there anything I should know before attempting to do so?
It doesn't affect my ability to use the machine but it looks tacky and I don't want to have a technology disaster because something is exposed that shouldn't be. If fixing this is going to potentially cause more problems than it's worth, then I'm not going to mess with it but if I can, I'd like to fix it. I'm down to 2 computers now, lol, my iMac and this laptop. I need to keep this one in good shape until I can get windows up and running on my mac in order to use Openbook. Besides, aside from the fact that the keys are a bit far apart for my small hands and personal taste, this computer has been a rockstar.
Thanks in advance.
In short, no. But you're not going to cause any problem because of a chipped key like that. You have a lever between the key top and the actuator switch down inside.
Guess what? Keyboards, including perfect little pristine ones that never experience greasy foreflippers upon them, are just a series of little windows where dust can drop down into the sensor area under the key levers. But, not into the main board.
Tacky it probably looks like if anyone cares, but if you had the corner you could safely glue it back on probably.
B3n might say something else, or have a way to remove a single key lever / mechanism and then remove the top -- which would be the only safe way to do something like that. But I don't think so; I've not seen parts to a key assembly. And if you did try to in-place shiv off the top you would probably succeed in accidentally breaking the spring or popping the lever somehow. Keyboard repair is damn near nonexistent. It's not like a typewriter where you can get to every piece of the mechanism cleanly.
I did some googling and saw a replacement assembly but if there's no harm in having it like this, I'm ok with it. Yeah, it looks tacky but who cares. lol It's a 3-year-old laptop that gets used at least 8 hours a day every day. lol With my luck, I'd end up braking something else in the process.
You can order the keyboard if you desire directly from the company maybe?
Call and ask do the provide the part.
Most times they are plug in affairs.
You have to get the complete keyboard, not just a key.