4330s backlit keyboard mod..help!

Hey all,

So I have been doing some thinking (dangerous I know) about how to get a backlit keyboard into the 4330s and I realized a few things.

1. keys on the 4330s can be removed :thumbsup:
2. keys on the 5330m seem to be the exact same size as the 4330s, so a swap could be done :thumbsup:
3. el wire could be put behind the keys to light em up! :thumbsup:

but now here is the problem.
el wire needs an inverter and power supply

I had originally thought to tap the power off of a usb but the power coming off that is AC while the el wire needs DC. But after doing some digging, it doesnt look like this is possible.

and since there is not much room inside the chassis, a AA power supply and inverter probably wont fit

So does anyone out there have a good idea on how to light up the keys if the el wire cant be used?

Or does anyone know or have an idea on what powers (ex. 3v?5v?) the existing backlight in the 5330m keyboard? and would it be possible to pull the light out of that and use it in this mod?

If this works, it could work for many other models as well.

 

oops my bad...typo
my original post should have said 'usb is DC while el wire needs AC'

 

So after a bit more investigating and taking my keyboard apart, I have come to the conclusion that it is indeed possible but its a world of pain

All the little clips that hold the keys in place would have to be replaced with the clear ones from the 5330m and thats just not worth the time.

For anyone interested, I did find a usb el wire inverter. btw i am not affiliated with the shop, just figured if anyone needed to find something like this for a diy project.

USB inverter for 3Meters el wire + free shipping-in Other Electrical Equipment from Electrical Equipment & Supplies on Aliexpress.com

 

I'll attempt this mod. It's really easy to add the usb inverter and el wire. but I've a problem with my 4330s, it only has 1 half mini pci-e slot. it was supposed to have a full size one but there isn't any, just the place where the slot should be. I'm not sure if I'll try to solder.
It would be great to use a mini pci-e to usb. much less expensive and easy to work with $15 parts then with expensive and complex motherboards.
I'll try first to add the mini pci-e to usb into the half mini slot and then adding an usb hub. If it works I'll upgrade it later to usb 3.0. I'm also planing adding more internal devices. I'll remove the ODD since I don't need it to have loads of space to accommodate stuff.
About the keyboard itself I'll try it first without removing keys and play with it a bit. A tip about colours, you can add white el wire and then place cellophane plastic from what colour you want to have different colours to different keys. I saw this in the acer subforum.

I need help with something. I need to known if the bios has somekind of white list for some devices and if it has if it can be modded.