Replacing the Keyboard
Tips & Tricks: You need a small Phillips and a small flat-blade screwdriver to replace the keyboard.
Preventing static electricity discharge
The components inside your notebook are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge-sensitive components in your notebook.
Warning
To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your notebook, remove the battery, and unplug the AC adapter, modem cable,
lcd inverter and network cable before replacing a component.
Warning
To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent holes of your notebook.
Before working with notebook components, follow these guidelines:
•
Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing foam.
•
Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use them. Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.
•
Always hold components by their edges. Avoid touching the edge connectors. Never slide components over any surface.
•
Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and attach it to a bare metal part of your workbench or other grounded connection.
•
Touch a bare metal surface on your workbench or other grounded object.
Removing the keyboard
To remove the
gateway mx7000 keyboard:
1
Follow the guidelines under “Preventing static electricity discharge.”
2
Turn off your notebook.
3
Disconnect the AC adapter, modem cable, and network cable.
4
Disconnect all peripheral devices and remove any PC Cards.
5
Disconnect your notebook from the optional port replicator.
6
Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up, then remove the main battery and optional secondary battery. For more information, see “Changing Batteries” in your user guide.
7
Turn your notebook over so the top is facing up.
8
With a small Phillips screwdriver, remove the keyboard screw and put it in a safe place.
Tips & Tricks The screw hole is marked with a K.
Replacing the Keyboard
9
With a small Phillips screwdriver, remove the two hinge cover screws and put them in a safe place.
10
Insert the small flat-blade screwdriver under the bottom of each hinge cover and gently pry it up.
11
Carefully open the LCD panel to the fully opened position.
12
Insert the small flat-blade screwdriver under the right end of the keyboard cover and gently pry it up.
Important
Inserting a piece of cloth between the screwdriver and keyboard will help prevent damage to your notebook.
13
Pull the cover off the notebook. Be careful not to damage the LCD panel.
14
Lift the back edge of the keyboard slightly, then slowly push it toward the LCD panel to release the keyboard retaining tabs.
15
Slowly rotate the keyboard toward you so it lies keys-down on top of your notebook. Be careful not to damage the LCD panel.
16
Slide the black keyboard connector clip and optional EZ Point clip to the front of the notebook and remove the cables. Be careful not to touch or damage any other components.
Installing the keyboard
To install the keyboard:
1
Place the new keyboard keys-down on your notebook with the space bar away from you.
2
Make sure the black keyboard connector clip and optional EZ Point clip are fully moved toward the front of the notebook, insert the cables into the corresponding connectors, then slide the black clips to lock the connectors in place.
Replacing the Keyboard
Important
The keyboard cable is correctly oriented if it is not twisted. The EZ Point cable is correctly oriented if the blue side is up.
3
Rotate the keyboard toward the LCD panel until the keyboard is almost face-up.
4
Insert the tabs on the front edge of the keyboard into the slot under the palm rest. It may be necessary to press down on the keyboard keys along the front edge of the keyboard to seat the retaining tabs into their corresponding slots.
5
Gently press the keyboard down until it is flat all the way across. The keyboard should easily fall into place. Be careful not to damage the LCD panel.
6
Replace the keyboard cover. Press down on the cover in several places until it clicks in place. The cover is correctly mounted when you can run you finger along the cover and find no loose spots. The cover should be flat all the way across.
Caution
If the cover is not correctly replaced, your notebook could be damaged when you try to close the LCD panel.
7
Close the LCD panel, then replace the two hinge cover screws.
8
Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up.
9
Replace the keyboard screw.
10
Insert the batteries, then turn your notebook over.
11
Reconnect the optional port replicator.
12
Connect the power adapter, the modem cable, and the network cable, then turn on your notebook.
