cleaning keyboards (9300) ack! spilt pepsi

ok, this is mildly distressing...
I spilled pepsi (lime flavoured if you must know) on my keyboard the other day. it wasn't anything big just a small splash. I quickly wiped it off, but I'm afraid some of it got into my keyboard, but it wasn't a large amount so I wasn't afraid. However today I noticed my keys are sticking, so far its only confined to the N key, and the 4 arrow keys on my bottom right. It's annoying as hell cause I heard a loud clicking, i can only assume it's the hardened and dried sugar of the pepsi, is there anyway I can remove the top of the key and clean it off with a moist q-tip?

 

I don't know if you'll actually be able to clean it or not. You could try to remove the key and clean, but you have to be super careful on how you pull the key off. In my experience, the key pulls off easily but won't snap on.

Do you have accidental care? If yes, then you should be able to get a replacement keyboard from Dell's Tech Support.

If not, I would google around or check ebay. I found the keyboard for $22.

SG

 

does anyone have instructions for removing a keyboard? it seems kinda really involved.

 

here they are: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins9300/sm/sullivav.htm#wp1111863

 

Wait...wait...wait...you're saying I can buy lime flavored Pepsi?

 

doesn't that mean you will violated your warrenty?

 

No it won't. Taking the keyboard out of the 9300 and cleaning it. Then replacing it back -- is all just standard maintaence. As long as you don't cause any damage while you have the laptop open, your warranty is still good.

If he replaces the keyboard, then the 9300 will still be under warranty but the keyboard won't.

 

Soutern girl,
have u ever taken the keyboard out and cleaned it? did u use compressed gas or q-tips or something else to clean it?


hahaha actually lime flavoured pepsi does exhist but in my opinion lemon is better. however, normal pepsi still pwns all

 

I've done both. To remove the keyboard, you just have to remove to screws, and unplug the connector. Its pulls out easily and installs easily. Takes only a couple of minutes to uninstall/install. I'm saying this b/c chances are at some point in your laptop life, you'll have to replace the keyboard. I've replaced two so far, and mine is only 8 months old.

I've also used both compressed air and q-tips dipped in alcohol (located in band-aid section of walmart). If you use the q-tip, you'll want to dab off the extra alcohol so its not soaking wet. Both works well in my opinion. The trick with the 9300/6000 keyboards is that the keys fall off very easily, so just be gentle and not force it and you won't have any problems.

If a key should fall off and if you still have warranty, it should be covered by your warranty.