Dell Inspiron keyboard springclean?

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21 May 2007
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My Inspiron 1300 is about 2 years old, I've cleaned the cooler out once already, and it could do with it again soon (it's such a cool machine that hearing the fan at all when it's not under crippling CPU load means it needs the dust bunnies removed.), but also the keyboard is due.

The thing is full of crumbs, tobacco, rice, and possibly a small colony of some kind of field mouse. (one of those is a lie). People have told me, and I've come to pretty much the same conclusion, that removing the keyboard on these babies is Krypton Factor material.

Any hints?

Also, once it's out, is there much I can do beyond blowing it out and tipping out such as will tip out. My brother said that the keys themselves are ALMOST impossible to remove and actually impossible to fit back on just right.


Wisdom?
 
Isn't there a bucket load of propellant in those, the tin I have scares me, wet, quickly evaporating stuff (of the type that eats microchips) fires out of it all the time. great for blowing out the faders on a mixer, but not sure about my precious luggable.
 
There's all manner of crap in it you see, under the keys and all, but I suppose you're right, it is only a membraine.
(hateful invention, keyboards should weigh 2KG, cost £50, have individual military grade, (not MOD issue please ;) ) switches that are featherlight and go WOLLOP when you press them ;) )
 
Use the dell service manuals online if you want to take it out however I found simply opening the lid, flipping it upsidedown and shaking it (whilst its off ofcourse) gets all the crap out from under the keyboard

I got an inspiron 9100 off ebay a month ago and it was in a disgusting state, doing that removed all crap from under the keyboard
 
I don't know if it helps, but the Dell support website has a video of changing the keyboard on a Vostro. (They managed to send a batch out with a faulty keyboard!) I guess the things are all put together the same so you could look there for advice. As for damp. I have showered a quite a number of keyboards that have got really dirty and after a period of drying they are fine. Of course I am not suggesting it as a solution for a laptop keyboard but only that any liquid in the propellant og the compressed air will do no harm.
 
There's all manner of crap in it you see, under the keys and all, but I suppose you're right, it is only a membraine.
(hateful invention, keyboards should weigh 2KG, cost £50, have individual military grade, (not MOD issue please ;) ) switches that are featherlight and go WOLLOP when you press them ;) )

They used to, The old IBM Battleship Keyboards, were a nice solid beast!! lol

I would personally suggest treating your laptop to a new keyboard. Can be had if you shop around :D
 
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