• Removing a Key-cap
• Replacing Scissors
  • Standard Size
  • Small Size
  • Other Variations
• Removing Scissors
• Disclaimer

Removing a Key-cap

Replacing Scissors

Standard Size

Most key positions have 4 metal "hooks" protruding from the keyboard base which hook onto their white plastic hinge scissor mechanism (see top row of 3 images at right).

First, slip the top of the plastic hinge scissor under the 2 top hooks. Secondly, press (gently) down on the lower half of the plastic hinge to push it over the 2 bottom hooks.

Small Size

The smaller keys ("f1" etc.) in the top row of the keyboard use 2 metal "hooks" + 1 wider "flange" which hooks onto their corresponding white plastic hinge scissor mechanism (see top row of 3 images at right).

First, slip the plastic hinge scissor under the flange. Secondly, press (gently) down on the other half of the plastic hinge to push it over the 2 hooks.

Other Variations

Replacing scissor mechanisms for some of the larger key positions involves small variations on the methods used for the standard sized and small key positions. For "ENTER:" and left "ALT" key positions, everything is just like the standard size case except that the plastic scissor mechanism is a little wider (it is "just like" the standard size scissor in that it uses 4 similarly arranged hooks). The left and right "SHIFT" key positions use 2 of the scissor mechanisms used for the smallest key positions - so replacing these is just like the small case but repeated twice. Finally, the largest of all key position, the space bar, uses 2 of the standard size scissors used for key positions such as the letter keys.

Removing Scissors

The process of removing type W3 hinge scissor mechanisms is basically the reverse of the method of replacing these scissors (see the section on replacing scissors above). However, there are a couple of extra things to know. Scissor mechanisms are easier to remove when the keyboard is at a warm or hot room temperature (i.e. 75°F (24°C) or more). Note, if you move a computer from a cool room (less than 68°F, 20°C) to a warm room (more than 75°F, 24°C), it can take a while (roughly half an hour) for the computer to warm up. The reverse of pressing down on the scissor, the scissor lever-up, is aided by the use of a small stiff object (for example, a prong of a table fork) to get under the scissor mechanism to lever it off the hooks (do this gently!)).

Disclaimer

Laptop key replacement should not affect warranties but you have to check your own warranty to be sure.