How 2 fix M1210 Keyboard Flex

Well I searched for this somewhere and I couldnt find it so ill share what I did. After a memory issue where I got 2 new sticks from dell, I decided to try and fix the problem since my keyboard was already removed.

The problem is there is a small space between the bottom of keyboard and the optical bay enclosure. So after some thinking I decided to use some papertowel to make a soft shim for it. I cut 2 strips out of a standard paper towel, about 1 inch wide, and 3 inches long. I placed them at an angle under the arrow keys and enter key, so they would no overlap. After I replaced the keyboard and hinge cover the keyboard did not stick up at all, and the affected area was as solid as the rest of the keyboard. NO MORE FLEX!!! Instructions on how to remove the hinge cover and key board are located here.

Hinge Cover: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm1210/en/SM/hingecvr.htm#wp1123881

Keyboard: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm1210/en/SM/keyboard.htm#wp1111863

Its a pretty simple fix and should take no longer than 5 minutes to do. Hope this helps some of you M1210 users.

 

I think someone else also mentioned using double sided tape to help with keyboard flex issues.

 

Good job, sheff159. I have used black electrical tape to fix a rattling keyboard on an IBM ThinkPad. The tape cannot fall off and is practically invisible.

 

thanks alot!

 

yeah, double-sided tape (it's quite thick) is the standby keyboard-flex-fixinator

 

what exactly is a keyboard flex? can anyone post some pictures or explain what it is?

 

push down on your keyboard. does it "give" ? that's keyboard flex. if you want an example, go to a computer store, find a 14" compaq (the v2000) and push down on the keyboard anywhere, that's keyboard flex.

if you can push down on any part of your KB and it doesn't give way, you have little to no keyboard flex.

 

I dont know how double sided tape would work in it, there is a bit of a gap and it may distort the keyboard shape if its used. I mean the 1210's keyboard is very very thin and is easily bent. If someone has tried it then post, it would likley be better than using cut paper towel pieces, but it works too.