m1330 - black keyboard

just fitted a vostro 1400 keyboard in my m1330 as i wasnt keen on the silver one.





pics are a bit crappy, it looks much better in the errr... 'flesh'.

the keyboard is much less springy than the original

 

good job. love the new look.

 

it has a big enter! :O

 

Now if only those keys lit up. XD

 

*Sigh* If only.

 

Looks good!

I'm not too big on backlit keyboards: yet another thing draining the power. Just learn to touch type, and for those keys you rarely use and can't remember where they are, briefly tilt the screen down to illuminate the keyboard temporarily.

 

Nice work there! Was it just a simple swap?

 

very nice work.

i just noticed how the blue accents on the keyboard match the blue LED's too.

 

i dont generally like dif color laptop/keyboard but that's actually pretty hot

 

Looks good! I was actually looking for a replacement, but did not know that Vostro 1400 keyboard would fit...

As for the huge enter key, is it something specific to UK? The Vostro keyboards I have found in US are all identical to XPS1330 keyboard; just black in color.

Thanks.

 

Where can I get a UK vostro 1400 keyboard from?

 

yes simple, it only takes a couple of minutes - 4 screws a ribbon cable and unclip the black bar with the media buttons

it must be a UK keyboard layout thing, its identical to the m1330 keyboard apart from colour. The metal backing pattern was different to the one i took out and not as flexible, thats probably why this one is better to type with

old one - triangle shaped cutouts in random pattern
this one - circle punch marks is a square pattern

i bought mine off ebay, about £25

 

I can't find any on ebay

 

looks great. would it be possible to use sony's sz keys, the flat based ones?

http://www.livedigitally.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/IMG_4652 sony vaio vgn-sz160.jpg

 

Wow! Nice work - the Vostro keys look awsome on the XPS. How is the quality? I used to own a Vostro 1500 but the keys on the 1530 seem more durable and don't get oily as quick as the Vostro ones did.

 

there are still some on ebay

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZvostroQ201400Q20keyboardQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ

quality seems the same as the silver keyboard, but its better to type on as the metal backing is a different type to the keyboard i had.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I just got one from eBay as well (in US). Cant wait to receive it and install it...

If I knew this, I would have done it on the day I got my m1330 (about 6 months ago). I think the black keyboard looks a LOT better than the silver on m1330.

Thanks again!

 

Looks really nice. Especially with the black trim above the keyboard. Blends right in up to the monitor.

 

looks good. I thought it should've come this way from the factory.

 

btw, is there some step by step guide on how to replace the keys?

 

great work looks really good

 

I just ordered my black keyboard off e-bay because of this thread.....got it for a steal: $8.00 + $12.99 shipping to Canada.

There's one left, so submit a best offer of $8.00 and they should accept it:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190239221943&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=009

 

Anyone want to photoshop an illumnated version of it? It would match even better.

 

To late, I already snagged it!

-Funk

 

but you paid too much for it!

 

Anyone know if something is similar for the 1530? Anyone going to try? Report back please if so!! Looks real good.

 

Not really. He rejected my $8 and $9 offer.

-Funk

 

From what I've read, the M1330 and M1530 share the same keyboard, so you should be able to accomplish the same swap.

 

After reading this thread a couple of days ago I went ahead and purchased a US Vostro keyboard. I received it today and slapped it in. Here are some pics for those wanting a better comparison. Also for those needing instructions here is a guide on fixing the keyboard bump which is perfect for a keyboard swap guide. Enjoy!

 

How does the vostro keyboard feel in comparison to the standard silver one?

 

Oh man that looks awesome...

 

He accepted my $8 offer but I ordered mine before this thread was started and he had 4 keyboards left.

 

It feels about the same if anything you could say it's a little more responsive. Seems just a little bit stiffer than the original keyboard.

 

Here you go

 

Just out of curiosity, would I void my warranty by changing the keyboard? I would assume not, but just checking.

And completely oot question; Can I change between 6-cell and 9-cell battery on-the-fly when AC-power is plugged in without having to turn off the computer?

 

Generally the only things they let you change without voiding the warranty are the HDD and RAM.

If you're plugged in to AC power, you can take the battery out without any effect on the computer.

 

Do I have to install a new BIOS or something? My Fn + Up and Fn + Down and Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys don't work.

 

My up and down arrows also don't work.

 

This mod fried my laptop. I switched in my old keyboard and the arrow keys and delete key don't work anymore. I can't even switch through my BIOS.

 

Does anyone else have this issue? I'm expecting delivery of my vostro keyboard in a few days and am now wondering if I should even attempt this.

 

Makes me think of that old saying, if it ain't broke...

 

Mines been in for 5 days now with moderate to heavy use everyday. No problems what so ever, I also just checked every single key and they all work great.

 

no problems at all with mine, everything works as normal - it's only a ribbon cable connecting it after all.

i'm using the A10 BIOS my m1330 shipped with, i take it you put the ribbon cable the right way round?

 

Same here... Everything works the way it is supposed to, and it looks great! The typing "feel" is far more superior on this keyboard compared to the original, flimsy silver one. My only concern would be whether the keys will get shiny/oily over time or not. Oh well, if they do, I'll just buy another keyboard and replace it again in 2 minutes

I cant see any reason why a replacement keyboard with an exact same ribbon connection would fry a laptop?!?!? Since you put back the original keyboard and the same keys are still not working, could it be that connection port is damaged while you were pulling the old ribbon out and/or inserting the new one?

Good luck!

EDIT: Prince_Phoenix, I just saw your post on another thread: "I think the keyboard connector or the thing it's attached to broke, so a certain set of keys don't work. How much would it cost for a new motherboard (I'm assuming that the keyboard connector is attached to it?)?"

I think this explains your problem with certain keys. Sorry to hear that...

 

I just replaced my keyboard on my m1330 with a dell vostro 1400 keyboard I bought brand new on ebay for $23 shipped. DANG it looks SO SHARP!!! This is definitely the way the m1330 should have been configured to begin with!

 

Did the same to my 1530, black keyboard is just a must. Better feel, and looks so much better than silver..

 

still waiting for my vostro keyboard....

 

Himmm... Didn't know that the same keyboard was used on both m1330 and m1530 - sorry, I've never paid attention to m1530

Friend of mine owns one and might be interested in having a black keyboard. Is there a nice web page out there (similar to the one posted here for the m1330) showing step by step keyboard removal for m1530?

Thanks!

 

I'm pretty sure the procedure would be the same as the XPS m1330, but I suppose it's better safe than sorry

 

The keyboard for the 1530 is from a Vostro 1500...the installation is all of 15 minutes....

1. Remove battery
2. Remove 3 screws under the battery
3. Gently pry up the black button tray from the right and left..GENTLY..as its connected by ribbon for the buttons below and uses those flimsy pastic clips to hold it in place. Flip it up away from keyboard. GENTLY
4. remove the two side pieces of plastic that curve down on either side of the plastic tray on side of computer, these can be removed as you start removing the button tray..
then
4. Remove the two screws that hold the keyboard on the top. Slide it toward the screen and up..GENTLY as its connected at the bottom toward the touchpad.
5. Unclip the ribbon that is holding the keyboard. This is basically a plastic 'flap' that holds the ribbon. Notice how its connected to simplify installation.
6. Install the new ribbon and be careful as it is fragile and clips in, make sure its straight and seated correctly before locking the flap down.
Reverse the reinstall, and done.