Repairing a Computer Keyboard

Step 7 On to the Keyboard Assembly

Okay... In the previous step, we determined that pin 18 of the large connector is the culprit. That trace is damaged somewhere within the Keyboard Assembly. We now need to disassemble the keyboard assembly. Take care that there are a lot of little pieces in this assembly. Don't loose any of them! Use a parts box, dish or other organized container to hold parts.

There are 33 screws on the metal plate of this keyboard assembly. This is quite typical of keyboards. All of them have to be removed. There are three additional raised screws that should be left alone. These "extra" screws act to ground the plate with the encode board when the keyboard is assembled.

When you remove the screws make sure that the keyboard is laying on a stable surface. Don't use your lap!

Once all of the anchoring screws are removed, carefully lift off the plate to expose the flexible printed circuit boards. These are the actual matrix of the keyboard. Look carefully for any discoloration that would possibly indicate the problem area.

When we lift off the matrix take great care. There is a tiny flexible cap at every key position. These must be collected and stored safely while we work.

We can set aside the keys after we've put away the little caps. We only need to work with the matrix sheets.