Acer TimelineX 3820TG Backlit keyboard mod

It's been discussed. It think somebody did it to an Asus U series.

Bronsky

 

I think about to take a µC with an USB port and PWM function to control the brightness of the LEDs.

But I'm missing a second USB inside the laptop. Does any one know if the CCD without the connector a USB port?

 

I bought from the same seller and mine seemed to be used or something because the glossy plate under the keys was somewhat dirty (dried spots of something in between the keys). I have since cleaned it up with a microfiber cloth (took me a while wiping between almost every key!) so it looks more like new now. The keys themselves looked pretty new and clean, so I don't know what it is exactly. It almost looks like it was taken out of another laptop.

I'm not sure if mine shipped in its original packaging either, just some pink plastic sleeve (not sealed) and surrounded with bubble wrap.

 

Wow - I would have biched. Mine was actually shipped in the sealed, original box from the manufacturer (Compal). It is brand spanking new. That is wierd. Did you say anything to the seller?

Bronsky

 

I have now contacted the seller asking for either an exchange for a brand new one like yours or a full refund (as it was advertised as brand new). Thanks for letting me know about the condition of yours.

Upon looking at your picture of it, was there a box inside the box that it was mailed in? Because I received the same "IDS On Line" box that you showed in the picture, but is there a smaller separate sealed box that mentions Compal on it? (is it the white thing underneath the keyboard?) And did yours come inside a pink plastic sleeve? If not, that probably is evidence enough that mine wasn't new as they probably repackaged it then.

 

Box > bubble wrap > pink plastic = factory packaging. The address sticker and the IDS return label is added by the seller.

Bronsky

 

Interesting, then maybe mine was actually dirty from the factory? When you say sealed, do you mean a piece of tape? Mine didn't appear to be sealed in any way.

In any case, the keyboard was dirty out of the box and there should be nothing "brand new" about that. The bottom silver plate also shows some signs of use perhaps, but I'm not entirely sure it was like that from the factory to begin with (pieces of tape residue?). The pink plastic wrap looked pretty worn out of the box too (wrinkly and a bit torn up). Last but not least, the main ribbon cable also looked used (with some creasing) out of the box.

My best guess now is that it was bought, used to some extent, and then returned and resold to me.

They asked me for pictures of the front and back of the keyboard as part of their exchange/return (not sure which one they're doing) procedure.

EDIT: One of the negative feedback reports received by 168-accessories said that they were shipping him/her used keyboards. Another said he/she was sent a used LCD cable sold as new. At least they're responding to me pretty promptly and not leaving me in the dust.

 

If yours was taped, it was not factory sealed. Mine was glued.

 

Mine was not even taped.

Currently in talks to get an exchange or a refund if they can't send me a brand new one...

 

Hi there guys. I'm just wondering if any of you guys have had experience with the below two eBay sellers.

Seller 1 vs. Seller 2

Both ads state the keyboards are genuine, but the second seller is based in HK. Not sure which to pick since the HK seller is also cheaper and has free shipping.

Also, since the function keys on the 3810 keyboard differ from the 3820, is it possible to swap them out?

 

Not without loosing the backlit option on it

 

So it's possible to swap the keys? I don't want the backlight anyways, hehe.

 

Buy just a 3820T(G) keyboard for the US user, than you have not to change the keys.

The other users buy a 3810 keyboard to get the backlit option, this is not available for the 3820T(G) keyboard.

 

You can remap the keys but the acer keys are a bich to switch. I have had one fall off and it took forever to get it back on. Nick is right ... get a 3820TG keyboard.

Bronsky

 

So where would one find the 3820TG US keyboard for a reasonable price. It's not on google.

 

nevermind question answered in previous post

 

Just as an update, it seems as if they're going to send me a brand new one (sealed) and told me I didn't have to return the one I received.

Good customer service I'd say, even if I got a used one to begin with. Hopefully all goes well in the end...

 

Since nearly all of the US Acer backlit keyboard market is on this thread, that was a smart marketing decision.

Bronsky

Funny Peter ... I never knew that you could quote yourself. I though it always had to be someone elses post.

 

Does anyone here have a US 3820TG keyboard for sale?

EDIT: Just realized my down button key doesn't always register..

 

Just did my BL Keyboard switch this afternoon. Went great, followed Bronsky's guide (thanks!) I did manage to burn myself by not paying attention and touching the wrong part of the soldering iron!

I'm absolutely loving the BL and think running off the USB gives the perfect brightness. I also added a connector into the mix for easy removal, was quite easy actually, used the fan header off an old dead GFX card I had lying around, was also small enough that I was able to slide it all out of the way under the USB/Card reader PCB, no cutting of the chassis needed.

 

If you get a minute, pictures of your connector would be greatly appreciated. Congratulations.

Bronsky

 

I haven't really had the chance to look but I would think that you can have one mailed from MK electronics in Germany. There was another EU retailer noted in this thread or the owners thread. You might also try parts in Temple Texas.

Bronsky

 

What about a switch? Isn't the keyboard going to stay lit up even when the laptop is powered off due to power always present on USB port? Or did you disable USB power when off?

 

The only time you have to worry about that is when you put the unit in sleep mode. Otherwise the USB is powered off when the laptop is.

Bronsky

 

Hi guys!

Last week I ordered a backlit 3810 keyboard with uk layout. But yesterday I recieved an email from the seller claiming that the keyboard was out of stock and wanted to refund me. When I do a search on ebay this week I can only find 5 keyboards that can be shipped to Sweden and they are all with US layout. Last week there where lots of keyboards with diffrent layouts. Anyone knows why they are all gone now? :-(

 

Any user of this thread hav bought a keyboard

 

I just picked up my Acer 3820TG that came with Canadian multilingual keyboard. I don’t really need the lighted keyboard but would like to replace the keyboard with the US layout keyboard . Is anyone interested in selling their original 3820TG US layout keyboard. I can either pick up the keyboard in Vancouver area this week or in New York next week.

 

Nobody here will have a US layout keyboard, since all their units came with either Canadian or Chinese ones from the factory.

 

No problems.

I soldered the wires to the underside of the front left USB port:


Then ran the wires up out underneath and back down underneath the keyboard tray to the wireless card


I then used the other end of the fan connecter:


Wrapped it up out of the way and done.

 

Lots here, £25 delivered

ACER Aspire 3810 3810T 4810 4810T Keyboard UK Backlit on eBay (end time 07-Nov-10 10:10:21 GMT)

 

Soldering on the bottom side of the USB port looks like the better option. It looks like if you screw it up, you will do less damage and could probably still get a decent bite on the connections up top. Nice innovation.

I also like the inclusion of the quick connect. I will be doing that when I reinstall my KB. I have to find an old motherboard to canibalize. Almost every time I took my laptop apart, I was wishing I could disconnect my KB so I would not damage the power ribbon. Nice job.

Bronsky

 

Man I can not get my keyboard to seat correctly on my 4820tg. The tabs on the bottom fit perfectly but it's to thick. I might have to file the grooves on the top and sides.

 

I probably should have posted this here but I say your comments in the 4820TG thread first. http://forum.notebookreview.com/6803567-post1638.html. The addition of the backlighting makes the KB too thick. The KB needs to be adjusted. Take a look back at the early posts in this thread.

Bronsky

 

I'll be looking up a part number and supplier for the correct flat ribbon connector.

Stay tuned...

 

I've always wondered if there will be soldering points you can use and still reach with the KB BL power ribbon. I am already in awe of your soldering skills but a KB ribbon socket would be incredible.

Of course, we mere mortals will probably need someone to solder it on for us, but even if it had to be installed by a local shop, it would be well worth the price. When I reinstall my KB, I'm going to use a fan connector as a quick disconnect. It has really been a pain in the *** to keep the KB upside down next to the unit while working on it. I'll probably put a whole new KB on as the KB BL power ribbon is in bad shape.

Bronsky

Bronsky

 

I missed the step were I need to bend the tabs down. Whoops!

 

I will definately have to run wires to the connector.

 

DUH! Never thought of that ... a great idea. Even with my marginal skills, I can probably wire the socket. That would aviod the need to solder onto the ribbon and, if the ribbon gets damaged in anyway, you just have to get a new KB, file the crap out of it , and plug it in.

Bronsky

 

Got it, still a little tight but with a little more tweaking I'm sure it would fit better. To bad the 4820tg doesn't have the space for switch.

 

Would any of you guys be interested in modding my 4820tg with a backlit keyboard for me? I failed miserably and ripped the power connector for the backlights (suppose I'll have to order another one). I'll gladly pay for the service...

 

Today I finally got my backlit keyboard (I went for a UK layout). But it was only packaged in a quite thin cardboard box that look squeezed in on of the ends. And then I opened it I found that the keyboard it self was a little bent (the base of the keyboard is an thin aluminium plate). I could quite easy bend it straight again by hand. But the worst thing was that the F4 key and the little plastic piece seated above the right arrow key were loose in the box. The plastic piece looked a little damaged and therefor won't fit. The F4 key however looked undamaged, but the strange thing is that it's backside (the frame that keeps it in place) was black. But when I look at all other keys, the backside looks transparent? The F4 key won't fit and I'm doubtful that it's meant for my keyboard. I have emailed the seller from Hong Kong and awaits their response.

:-(

 

Would it perphaps be possible to use the power supply from the Bluetooth module? Maybe then you would be able to switch using the fn key for wifi/bt.

 

Hi Rob!

If I understand you correctly, it should be possible to connect the power cables to the backlit keyboard to the onboard mic by only opening the lid to the HD/RAM/WIFI? Where can I find the onboard mic connector that you're referring to?

 

If you unit does not have a BT installed, it would probably be a good place to take power and switch. You can get a BT cable to splice into. Unfortunately, I use my BT. I don't know what the voltage is on the BT? I would want at least 3V.

Bronsky

 

As far as I know, the bluetooth runs at 5V. Device manager says Bluetooth USB device, so it seems like just an internal (hopefully switchable) USB port.

I would suggest using them in parallel, so the light is on together with bluetooth. I you would run on battery tou could simply press fn+key to switch of bluetooth and light (double power saving )

 

Most canadian units come without BT so you can just hijack that socket. Would you need to plug in a BT and install the driver to make the unit power that socket? Hmmmmmm.

Bronsky

 

I have a German unit with BT installed. I hate the qwertz and I really like the backlit keyboard, which I already had delivered. Now I am thinking of ways to power it.

But the first step would be opening the thing up and see if the bluetooth runs at 5V and if the 5V disappears after the fn combo.

 

Nice ... take lots of pictures and let us know how it's going. I've just ordered a new unit and may be reinstalling a backlit KB.

Bronsky

 

The correct part numbers for compatible FFC connectors are as follows:

Digi-Key - A33834CT-ND (Manufacturer - 84953-4)

Digi-Key - A100834CT-ND (Manufacturer - 84952-4)

Which one to use will depend on where you mount the connector - This will determine whether you need to make additional folds in the ribbon cable, which will determine if the contacts on the ribbon cable are up or down...

I'll probably receive my order tomorrow and will try to find a good spot on the mobo to solder the strain relief (a place to mount the connector basically)

 

I can't wait to see this.

Bronsky