travelmate 2356XM Keyboard not working

Can anyone help with a manual for a 2356 Travelmate or how to remove the case to check if the keyboard connection has come loose? I have performed a factory type reset using the setup and recovery disks but the keyboard still does not work. I have plugged in a usb keyboard which works fine but using it defeats the purpose of having a laptop. The reset was needed as i believe something nasty had got on board. The reset has cleared this all up but the keyboard still does not work. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

I take it no one knows how to safely open up the case to look at the keyboard connection.

 

Well i can't tell you if it's the exact way, we have different models.

The rear cover above the keyboard on top. I had to pop that off, I got one side popped up and worked my way to the other side until it was released. Also you have to lay the screen all the way back, since the hinges are covered by that cover also. This was the most challenging part of the whole deal you can end up breaking off the locking tabs or the panel if you don't take your time. I tried to lift up only where the tabs were.

After i got that off there was a couple screws holding the top of the keyboard, after those are removed then I just slid the keyboard back and lifted it out, as far as the connector would allow.

In my search for how to remove my keyboard, i was unable to find my exact model. But i did find similar removal instructions, that helped me figure it out.
Your model may not remove the same, so look through the links.

Here's similar writeup to how i removed my keyboard, minus removing any screws from the bottom of the notebook. http://www.cyfinity.com/2008/07/acer-aspire-5315-keyboard-removal/
Here's a link with a couple keyboard removal write ups see if you can find something similar to your notebook. http://repair4laptop.org/disassembly_acer.html

 

thanks goodoldjam Very helpful - cheers