How does one remove a keyboard from an Alienware M17x?

My little brother has spilled some very sticky drink on the computer keyboard (AlienWare M17x) and I cannot seem to find how to remove the keyboard to clean the keys. The top four keys on the left hand side don't even come back up by themselves when you press the keys. Any help or is all lost?

 

Remove the battery to expose the two screws that hold the bottom mesh cover on. Loosen those screws and remove the bottom mesh cover. There will be two holes underneath the laptop, directly opposite the hinge cover (where the alien head power button is). Remove them. With some kind of prying device, preferably plastic or wood, begin prying near the 'END' key on the keyboard to get the hinge cover to pop up. Just be slow and steady, or you'll ruin it. Once you've got the hinge cover loose, beware of the ribbon cable that has to be disconnected from it. After the hinge cover is all removed, you'll see five tiny black screws that hold the keyboard in. remove those, then tilt the keyboard and remove the two ribbon connectors that hold it in.

M17x Tear Down

 

Not sure how well you are going to be able to clean the gunk out if they are sticking.

For removal, in addition to the tear down vid, be sure to review the service manual. Have both handy and take your time.

M17xR1
Documentation

M17xR2
Documentation

 

Have you called dell about this problem? Here is the video for disassembling the m17x.

Part 1:
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Part 2:
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I've taken keyboards of and washed them in the sink. Don't really recommend it, but it got all the soda out. If you do that give it at least 24/48 hours to completely dry

 

You are braver than I DR.

Well, if he doesn't have accidental damage coverage for spills, worst case he can always pick one up on fleabay or one of the many parts sites. keyboards should be fairly cheap.

 

Yea, lol my finances on hp gore spilled on. Thing wasn't worth much so o washed it if its under warranty, definitely go that route. If not last ditch effort could be the sink. All else fails ebay should be cheap

 

The best way (for average user) to remove soda/beer etc. from cards is to wash them with 90° alcohol(found in pharmacies) if possible brush them with a painting brush,repeat if necesary, try to avoid water (lol i even showered a desktop mobo) as when it dries it can leave calcareous residus and you'll still have to remove it with alcohol.

I fixed dozen of phones/laptops victims of different liquid spillage like this.
You can use a hair dryer (i do that but i don't recommend it - people can be rushed and think the affected part is dry but actually isn't) or leave it near a heat source for a day at least to make sure.

cheers.

 

Hi all. I've seen the vids and read the instructions for removing the keyboard, but I'm struggling with mine.

I had a gfx card replaced about half a year ago and the technician must have put the laptop back together differently because the keyboard feels like its attached just behind the esc/f1 keys, almost like theres a screw in the back. Any ideas what he night have done?

Cheers