Fix Keyboard Flex On Asus G1!

Ok, don't get me wrong, the ASUS G1 is a wonderful notebook. In fact, it's the BEST notebook I've ever used (never tried a thinkpad, that's why). Of course, nothing is ever perfect. When I received my ASUS G1 on Friday, I was impressed with EVERYTHING on this notebook except the keyboard.

I decided to fix the keyboard in order to fulfill the requirement of being a perfect notebook. I will give some directions to fixing the flex and rattling on the keyboard, but it'll mostly be trial and error, since it's hard cutting exact dimensions of the keyboard.

*READ ALL DIRECTIONS BEFORE ATTEMPT! ASK QUESTIONS IF U DONT UNDERSTAND! I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT GOES ON!*

1) turn off ALL power sources for the computer, AC adapter and battery mainly.
2) turn the notebook upside down and locate 2 holes labelled "K"
3) unscrew the 2 screws and turn flip the notebook back
4) open the screen and locate the 3 small tabs found under the keyboard. There's 3 tabs, one near the ESC button, one near the F8, and one near the DEL button.
5) use a flat screw driver and ply each of the tabs back
6) the keyhboard should pop out from the top if u do step 5 correctly
7) Find a hard piece of cardboard paper or something and follow the pictures on how I cut the cardboard. Then use tape to tape the piece to the back of the keyboard and the base part (see pics)
8) be sure note to cover the 2 holes for the screws that secure the notebook, also be sure to cover up the 2 huge holes (where components are) if u dont want flex down there. (see pics)
9) put the notebook back, pressing the notebook against the tabs
10) flip the notebook upside down and secure the 2 screws back on. if u screwed them as tight as they were originally, then u might see a few "dips" on the keyboard. simply loosen the screws according to which part of the keyboard dips in until the keyboard looks perfectly flat

Notes: after doing this, the keyboard is completely rattle free. Pertaining the flex, the notebook will no longer flex when u type, but if u u took ur thumb and applied HUGE AMOUNTS of pressure, it'll flex SLIGHTLY.

hope this helps, guys. i'll be looking forward to your comments and questions.

hehe...time to get me some rep points xD

pic 1:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/26/557130/IMG_0227.JPG
pic 2:
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/26/557130/IMG_0228.JPG
pic 3 (notice how i covered the holes w/ cardboard):
http://www.fileden.com/files/2006/12/26/557130/IMG_0230.JPG

 

That was quite the gutsy maneuver, especially on a brand new notebook. I'm glad it worked for you, and that you have the perfect notebook now. The Asus G1 is a stunning machine.

 

First of all, good work..... Some people find the time to complain about things, but it's really nice not only when someone finds a better way to make something better, but to document it for others to see.

Let me add that there are easier ways to do what you did. The A6, as an old platform, and one that was "average" or "mainstream" to begin with, doesn't have some of things designed into the newer models, including some of the ways the keyboards are held. Some people with older A series models (A1/A2/A4/A6) had issues like you're having. The cardboard you installed may be a bad idea.... the holes are there to help expel heat, so keep that in mind. Also, instead of a little circle of single sided scotch tape...... a little double sided tape will do a MUCH better job. a piece across the two sides and the bottom will hold any loose piece of that keyboard nice and tight.

 

lol woa that's way overboard. I solved my keyboard flex on my V6V by using rubber tape and a couple of layers of post-it note to the affected area underneath. The fix covered less than 10% of my keyboard surface area.

 

You do also have to remember that a lot of keyboard aren't as easily removable as Asus' either.... if it was overly secured, you wouldn't have this issue to start with, but it'd be more difficult to access under it or to replace it. That's what you get on the mainstream chassis' though, especially the A6. I can commiserate on this being an $1,800 laptop, but money really doesn't say it all...... you're getting all and more out of the system. You can compare it to a W3j which costs the same, but has a smaller screen, smaller hard drive, a smaller graphics card, less ram.... yada, yada...... but it has a better build, including a keyboard just as solid as any of the rest of the W series, which is just as good as anything on the market...... The A8 is the only A series model with a nice keyboard set up... Basically, regardless of the overall build quality, the keyboard it uses is actually right out of the W3 (actually has the W3's model number on it), and it's secured in exactly the same fashion....

 

oh crap! I FORGOT ABOUT Heat coming up the keyboard!!! where does heat come out? i literally blockd the whole thing!

oh, and how do i know if it's gonna over heat or not? can heat come out from the bottom if i block the top?

 

Well, I don't most people don't usually feel it, but one reason there are holes through the keyboard and the chassis are for heat dissipation...... the other, in obvious areas is for upgrading and getting to components. The one area that you covered that I immediately noticed was the dvd drive...... The reason that's open there is because the spindle on that drive will get hot with extended use.... having a way for that heat to easily get up and out of the system is why that's designed.

I wouldn't "worry" about it, I just know how some system keyboards can be, and the RIGHT type of double stick tape will cure all even for the most picky person, on the worst notebook.