xps m1330 keyboard uneven

Just got my m1330 and I love it... except that there's an odd sort of bulge in the middle of the keyboard (right in the region of the 7-9, y-o, h-l keys) - it seems to flex a lot more on that side (especially the Enter key, and/or the l/k keys). Also I get some sort of hollow dinging sound when typing on that side sometimes.

Anybody else had this problem? Is it normal for the keyboards? I find it a bit weird... would it be a keyboard problem or a chassis problem? I really don't want to have to go through the hassle of getting the entire computer replaced...

 

There are some reports of this going around.. Basically there's a long screw pushing up on the keyboard from underneath. It's a mistake on Dells side using the wrong size screw.

Call dell up and ask for a fix. It most likely damaged the keyboard and that will need to be replaced.

 

The bulge is there in every 1330 I have seen.. it is slight, and not annoying.. Basically, the cables that run underneath the keyboard are responsible, from what I have seen... The flex is also an issue, due to the soft top slot loading drive underneath the right side of the keyboard.. i put some padding underneath the KB to get rid of it...

 

The keyboard bulge is endemic to the m1330/m1530 population. There are a couple of things you can do to get it remedied. Its basically caused by the wireless antenna cables getting dislodged from their routing groove. You can repair it yourself or you can call Dell and have them send a tech.

To repair yourself, refer to the service manual on how to remove the keyboard. After that, you would just have to push the antenna cables back into the routing groove.

 

The cables underneath is certainly the problem, I tried to fix mine earlier by reseating the cables into the proper channels, while the effort resulted in less bulge, it is nevertheless still there.

Then I started having some missed keystrokes recently unless I strike certain keys dead on center. Dell sent out a replacement keyboard, I discovered it was made in around the same time as my original one but it is from a different manufacturer as the design is quite different - the underside of the KB is very stiff and produces zero flex at all when compared to the original one. I reseated everything and the KB now feels and looks perfect.

 

Do you, by any chance have a picture of the underside of your new keyboard?

 

I noticed this same thing, there arent as many holes in the bottom and it is MUCH stiffer than the original one, i have zero flex after getting a newer keyboard sent out to me, the difference in how flexible they are was insane. The one that was on there from dell was flimsy i could hold it in the middle and move it around and the ends would flap.

 

Just got a shiny new 1330 and no keyboard bulge

 

Is this screw underneath the keyboard or in the bottom of the chassis?

I will try and pull it apart and see whether the cables are out or whether it's the screw Other than that the keyboard seems to have barely any flex, so we will see

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

It's not a screw causing it, it's definitely the wireless antennae cables.

 

ok perfect, will check that then. thanks a lot for the clarification

 

No problem. I fixed the cables on mine but the bulge remains so I have requested a replacement keyboard from dell. Hope I get the stiffer version.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=170945&page=4

 

Sorry I don't because it is now installed, I should have taken a pix, may be when I open it up to replace the lid, just got a red one couple weeks ago..

 

how does that red lid look? mine looks blotchy under certain light is it still like that or what?

 

The lid looks ok, the paint looks fairly even but you can certainly tell the main lid when compared to the 2 plastic strips. I got mine from tex-jet off ebay. Great service BTW. The lid is complete with cam and all wiring, perhaps a take-off. I am still undecided at the moment as I really want to see the blue one in person but he didn't have any.

 

well my paint is even, but under certain light the red part looks blotchy, i've read one other report of this, but im wondering if it has been fixed.. I mean its really really hard to notice, but its just one of those things that is kinda annoying me...

 

I know what you mean. Bear in mind that the red & blue might show more imperfection as they bounce off the light more. That's one of the reasons why I am undecided on the swap, besides being lazy

 

I emailed dell and they are sending me a keyboard to manually install as per my request.

 

Well I just received my new keyboard and it's a lot more rigid and all the keys depress very nicely with no wobble

The keyboard is much better to type with and no longer flexes on the right hand side either. The new keyboard has a pattern of triangles on the back with many rectangular and circular holes while the old keyboard had many of shaped holes arranged in square patterns.

I'm very pleased with dells customer service and I got the keyboard the day after requesting it. Sorry there are no pictures but I don't own a camera.