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    U80 Backlit keyboard in U81?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by Shawn89, Aug 2, 2009.

  1. sighie

    sighie Notebook Consultant

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    Keyboard looks to be identical. At the very least, you get a better keyboard ( laser etched vs printed ) and possibly light up also.
     
  2. TANWare

    TANWare Just This Side of Senile, I think. Super Moderator

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    The changes are; the main cable. The main one is longer and does not by default go straight back. Easy enough to fold over though. The other change is the added funtions keys, that at present do nothing. Lastly there is the power cable. This is shown earlier in the post on how to power this up........

    The P.O. has my new keyboard, so I'll be getting that today. Having problems with my hypertension medication so I may not get to it though...........

    Edit; I am talking the difference in the U81-a keyboard, I am not sure about the U81-vt etc.......
     
  3. ajc11183

    ajc11183 Newbie

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    Got the keyboard in and everything works great. The difference is amazing, just by the quality and feel of the keyboard. I've also noticed there's a lot less finger smudges left on the keyboard compared to the original one.

    I think there has to be a software fix to control the brightness for the keyboard that would basically control the power output going to the power cable on the keyboard (kinda like a dimmer switch for a light). I don't think there's a hardware fix that would control the brightness of the keyboard considering it's controlled by the F3 and F4 buttons. But I might be wrong that's just my thinking.

    All in all I'm happy for what it does (even though I had to get a second keyboard to get it right).

    BTW anyone that took the laptop apart, is there any room in there to upgrade the video card?
     
  4. sighie

    sighie Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, The ul80vt arrived today. The keyboard data cable hooks up correctly however we are missing the ground + 5v hookups shown on the first page, so will have to find a alternate power hookup.
     
  5. TANWare

    TANWare Just This Side of Senile, I think. Super Moderator

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    Good deal, I just did mine too. Works great as well, not really too bright but it would have been nice to control it. Me as well, took a second one to get it right but now all is good...........
     
  6. embrion

    embrion Notebook Consultant

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    Goooooo Sighie!
    Btw, could you write if keyboard frame could be swapped? I'm going to buy silver version and like to keep silver frame than use black one that come with backlighted U80 keyboard
     
  7. sighie

    sighie Notebook Consultant

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    i have no idea. didnt buy a frame, but I doubt it. The ul80 is a thicker laptop than the U80
     
  8. embrion

    embrion Notebook Consultant

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    Wait, so you don't have backlighted keyboard bought yet or we just mean different thing by "frame" ?
     
  9. sighie

    sighie Notebook Consultant

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    I have the backlit keyboard, and its installed currently ( sans the power )
     
  10. embrion

    embrion Notebook Consultant

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    Ok, so what I asking about was if part the keys sit in (that I called frame) can be swapped between original one and back-lighted keyboard.
    In other words: I want to get back-light but keep silver space between keys instead of having black one that comes with back-lighted keyboard.
     
  11. sighie

    sighie Notebook Consultant

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  12. TANWare

    TANWare Just This Side of Senile, I think. Super Moderator

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    Not the greatest but a short video of it installed. I recorded it on a HD camera but the video was 205 megs, so converted to avi and now under 23 megs.........

    Video
     
  13. m3stunner

    m3stunner Newbie

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    waking up this post from the dead.
    I need help guys! Can anyone tell me how to remove my keyboard from my u81a? I couldn't find any info anywhere! I know a few guys here have done it.
    Please help!

    Quan
     
  14. TANWare

    TANWare Just This Side of Senile, I think. Super Moderator

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    I made a video. the link is above your post too........
    www.pcambrosia.com/U81-a.htm
     
  15. m3stunner

    m3stunner Newbie

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    hi TANWare. thanks for replying!
    I tried the link and I think its dead. I tried on both my browsers and the same thing. Any video or pictures will help out so much!

    Thanks TANWare!
     
  16. buntyz89

    buntyz89 Newbie

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    Hi there,
    I recently got a u80 asus laptop and tried to replace the keyboard with the backlit one.i followed all the steps but still cant figure out how to split the 5v and ground wire. would appreciate ur help
     
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