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    Keyboard button change

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Nardon, Mar 11, 2013.

  1. Nardon

    Nardon Notebook Consultant

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    Hi,

    Im getting an m14x r2 soon, but with french keyboard (AZERTY).
    Is it possible to pop out a few buttons and change them to make it (QWERTY)?
    Swap A with Q and so on.

    Just wondering

    Thanks.
     
    Nardon, Mar 11, 2013
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  2. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    No. The keys are not removable.
     
    Mr. Fox, Mar 11, 2013
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  3. Syncytium

    Syncytium Notebook Enthusiast

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    While the keys may not be removable, you can certainly use a program like sharpkeys ( RandyRants: SharpKeys) to remap the buttons in the registry if having the symbol on the keyboard not match what pops out on the screen doesn't bother you too much. I have used it on my laptop for a couple years now, to disable the windows key so I don't fat finger it while trying to play games, and it works like a champ.

    Also, I found a vendor for replacement keyboards ( http://www.replacementlaptopkeys.com/servlet/the-24220/DELL-M14x-dsh-R2-Laptop-Key/Detail) assuming that the french M14x is similar in design to the American model.
     
    Syncytium, Mar 11, 2013
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  4. Nardon

    Nardon Notebook Consultant

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    Well i can "blindtype" without any problems, so its not the problem.

    But strange that page you linked offers separate keys, so it must be changeable isnt it?
     
    Nardon, Mar 12, 2013
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  5. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Mar 12, 2013
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  6. Syncytium

    Syncytium Notebook Enthusiast

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    As Mr. Fox said, you can attempt to remove the keys from the keyboard. However, you may encounter problems. I know for some mobile keyboards, the only thing holding the key to the actual keyboard is a small metal clasp or two scissor-like clasps. There's a similar thread about removing the keys ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m14x/632737-my-backspace-key-stuck.html) which alludes to the scissor-like pieces that I mentioned. If you do decide to order replacement keys and remove the keys yourself, definitely do some research beforehand to ensure that you don't break anything :p.
     
    Syncytium, Mar 13, 2013
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