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    Modding - dv6t/dv7t Quad Edition (2011)

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Bag3l, Apr 9, 2011.

  1. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    I just made a video to show you guys what ports are on the DV6 MB. Here's the link: YouTube - HP DV6-6091nr Partial Disassembly

    The motherboard does not have any extra/unused ports, but the trackpad does have a separate port for the LED lights. (At least we figured out how to turn it off) The problem is that this is a 6-pin port/cable and the keyboard LED power cable looks like it is a 4 pin. Do you guys think that plugging the 4 pin in to the 6 pin port would work? Also, I don't know if the ribbon cable would reach. Hopefully we can figure out something.

    Here are all the pictures I have taken:
    Old ones...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    New ones...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I know this last picture looks like the LED power cable is 5 pin, but it connects to the board with 6 pins.


    Sorry about the picture overload.
     
    speedking261, Apr 23, 2011
    #101
  2. Tahoe1

    Tahoe1 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the video and additional information speedking261. Very informative and helpful.
     
    Tahoe1, Apr 23, 2011
    #102
  3. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    So thats it! LED power is a separate cable! We're in business!
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #103
  4. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    The problem is that the trackpad LED is 6 pins and the keyboard is 4 pins. Also the keyboard cable might not reach.
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #104
  5. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    Is there no way to buy a longer/ extend the ribbon cable?
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #105
  6. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    It might reach, but I don't know for sure. As far as buying an extended cable, the keyboards come as one size fits all. Also I can't find a US Envy17 keyboard anywhere. If people donate, I'll buy one from another region to test.
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #106
  7. magnumpi

    magnumpi Newbie

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    speedking261, could you post a close up picture of the video connection area. I am interested in knowing what exactly the type of video connection is and also what connection seems to be to the right of it. Did you see any place for a touchscreen connection?

    Thank you in advance!
     
    magnumpi, Apr 24, 2011
    #107
  8. AutoArc

    AutoArc Notebook Consultant

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    Which video connection is this? Is it the port to the screen, or to the hdmi or VGA ports?
     
    AutoArc, Apr 24, 2011
    #108
  9. AutoArc

    AutoArc Notebook Consultant

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    Anyone have any news about the Intel 6230 wireless adapter in this laptop? I know someone tried it in one of these threads without sucess, but is this confirmed? if so, is it possible to modify the BIOS whitelist to accept it?
     
    AutoArc, Apr 24, 2011
    #109
  10. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    Next time I tear the laptop down I will make sure to do that.

    In all honesty, I don't know. I didn't test it, but I'm pretty sure that it is the video to the screen. I didn't bother testing anything with it because it wasn't relevant to getting the backlight keyboard working, but next time I teardown I'll look into it.
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #110
  11. AutoArc

    AutoArc Notebook Consultant

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    Looks like you've already got your next teardown planned. ;) Thanks though, I only asked in the interest of replacing the screen with a higher res model, and possibly a touchscreen.
     
    AutoArc, Apr 24, 2011
    #111
  12. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    HP ENVY 17 Keyboard | eBay

    How about that one?
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #112
  13. shasta7

    shasta7 Notebook Evangelist

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    shasta7, Apr 24, 2011
    #113
  14. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    Oh nice, I didn't see that one. This one looks good, but it's kind of pricey.

    I'm not sure what this does, do you know?


    I'll buy that first keyboard if people donate. Anyone willing to?
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #114
  15. shasta7

    shasta7 Notebook Evangelist

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    if you look at it it is the power board with dimmer on off and the keyboard key this would save a lot of hassle, I think.
    the ribbon cable looks about the right size.I think there is a thread in the acer forum where they where successful in doing this but I cant find it right now
     
    shasta7, Apr 24, 2011
    #115
  16. dlfngrl

    dlfngrl Newbie

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    read this how to modify for backlit keyboard
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod.html
     
    dlfngrl, Apr 24, 2011
    #116
  17. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    Freaking suspect... king, do you have a bigger resolution and unedited version of this photo? For me there's a place for a connector not populated at the moment right on the right of the main keyboard one! Look at the photo: there are four dots of solder and a "hole" on the surface without components! It's a place for a ZIF connector... :eek: :eek:
     
    infoMatt, Apr 24, 2011
    #117
  18. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry, I don't have a better resolution one. All my photos are taken on my iPhone because I don't have another camera. Here is the unedited ones.
    [​IMG]


    This is a closer picture of the ports.

    [​IMG]
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #118
  19. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    YEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAHH!! CN_KBL = Connector Keyboard LIGHT!!!!
    All you need to do is solder a ZIF connector!! You found, man! :cool: :cool: :cool:

    The others acronyms:
    • CN_TP : Connector Trackpad
    • CN_KB : Connector Keyboard
    • CN_FP : Connector FingerPrint
     
    infoMatt, Apr 24, 2011
    #119
  20. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    Yay i don't know what that means :S
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #120
  21. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    To connect a backlit keyboard all we have to do is solder a connector similar to the fingerprint one, but with only 4 pin... it could easily been done simply with a hot air gun, if you don't have a soldering iron.. ;)

    Like in this pic: http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7764/dsc01012e.jpg

    EDIT: Maybe they have left unmounted also the power transistor... a test we need to do is power up the notebook, and with the keyboard attached press the backlit hot key, and see if there's some 5V or so... I think that only two of the four pins are used, one for the +5V and the other for the ground path... :confused:
     
    infoMatt, Apr 24, 2011
    #121
  22. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    So this is very good news? That's great!

    Now all that needs to be done is for someone to find a keyboard that fits.
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #122
  23. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    In the worse scenario we need to crack off all the tabs, or maybe all except ore or two... in every case there's a screw that fixes the keyboard in place, it won't move even without securing tabs... :cool:

    EDIT: Maybe the bezel around the keys could be exchanged between your standard keyboard and the Envy one...
     
    infoMatt, Apr 24, 2011
    #123
  24. AutoArc

    AutoArc Notebook Consultant

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    Does anyone know where to get 4-pin zif connectors?
     
    AutoArc, Apr 24, 2011
    #124
  25. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    Also I'm guessing that soldering a ZIF connector to the board would not be easy for everyone. Theoretically touching the 4 pins to the board should work (right?), so could tape work? Granted it will probably come off.
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #125
  26. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    No I think it's simpler than you might think... grab the connector with a pair of tweezers, use a hot air gun (the one used to melt the paint for example) for 20-30 seconds and you should see the solder melting.. power off the hot air gun, let it cool (still keeping it with the tweezers) for some seconds and you're ready to go.

    The most difficult part is see if the connector could deliver power... you could use a multimeter for example, but I don't know if you could reach the solder area with the EMI top shield in place :confused:

    EDIT: Like those guys with an Asus: http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/465841-ul30-backlit-keyboard-mod-16.html#post6324303 Look at the shape of the (missing) connector... 99% it's the same ;)
     
    infoMatt, Apr 24, 2011
    #126
  27. shasta7

    shasta7 Notebook Evangelist

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    the 4 pins will all be used, dimming, on, off, ground I read that 5.v is too bright 3.5v is ideal.because of heat tape won't work for those w/o skills soldering maybe epoxy? I am searching for the right kind of zif connector w/o luck just yet. also I read there is a hp specific driver to enable the functions of this port can somebody confirm?
     
    shasta7, Apr 24, 2011
    #127
  28. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    To get to the bottom of the motherboard you will have to do a full teardown. The port is covered by the EMI Shield.
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #128
  29. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    I didn't think this.. If you look at the photos, not all pins have actually a via attached... Dimming is actuated by rapidly turning on and off thousands of times in a second the LED (non-dissipative PWM)...

    @speedking: how about taping a thin wire just for a rapid test? Obviously it must touch only a pin with a via connected... second from left IIRC...

    EDIT:
    Maybe those connector are ok?
    http://uk.farnell.com/fci/sfv4r-2ste9lf/fpc-ffc-0-5mm-r-a-top-4way/dp/1830608
    http://uk.farnell.com/fci/sfv4r-1ste9lf/fpc-ffc-0-5mm-r-a-bottom-4way/dp/1830589
    They differ from the side of the ribbon that makes electrical contact with the pins.. it must be verified which side delivers +5V and witch side of the Envy cable needs the positive rail...
     
    infoMatt, Apr 24, 2011
    #129
  30. AutoArc

    AutoArc Notebook Consultant

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    Can anyone supply a measurement of the distance between the metal tabs on either side of the leads? This would equate to the width of the necessary connector. I just discovered that I have a 4-pin zif connector on an old usb controller board. It is just over 7mm wide.
     
    AutoArc, Apr 24, 2011
    #130
  31. shasta7

    shasta7 Notebook Evangelist

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    If I am not mistaken the kbl function is activated on the envy by fn+space
    not sure about brightness levels
     
    shasta7, Apr 24, 2011
    #131
  32. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    This type of command would require some type of driver to be installed no?
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #132
  33. Nerdium

    Nerdium Notebook Enthusiast

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    Doing this would really void the warranty, right?
     
    Nerdium, Apr 24, 2011
    #133
  34. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    I don't think so. There is nothing in the laptop that would prove that we ever opened the unit.
     
    Bag3l, Apr 24, 2011
    #134
  35. AutoArc

    AutoArc Notebook Consultant

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    Except perhaps an extra ZIF connector soldiered to the board. ;)
     
    AutoArc, Apr 24, 2011
    #135
  36. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    If we can do this in a non-permanent way then they will never know. If we need to solider/hot glue the ZIF in, then your out of luck. Chances are if you are willing to do this work you would be able to fix any problems with your system.
     
    speedking261, Apr 24, 2011
    #136
  37. shasta7

    shasta7 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes I have seen it referenced I will try to find it again.
     
    shasta7, Apr 25, 2011
    #137
  38. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    I think that if you could do a clean work, the employees/technician won't notice it... I mean, it could easily been soldered here from the factory... it's a connector soldered in its place... Looks really OEM-like ;)
    On the other side, if you solder some wires here and there it will be clear that you've opened and tampered the board ;)
     
    infoMatt, Apr 25, 2011
    #138
  39. Nerdium

    Nerdium Notebook Enthusiast

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    And you'll probably have to cut up or drill a hole in the protective metal plate under the keyboard... It's getting way too risky for me.

    None have opened up their Dv7, right? When I get mine tomorrow I might open it up and hope they put the connector on it there. Probably not, but it keeps my hope up.
     
    Nerdium, Apr 25, 2011
    #139
  40. infoMatt

    infoMatt Notebook Consultant

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    Nope, you could put the ribbon cable in place using a pair of tweezers, routing it via the hole for the large keyboard one... it's just right to the main one... sure, it'll need some moments, it isn't immediate, but you have to do this only once ;)
     
    infoMatt, Apr 25, 2011
    #140
  41. Binarygeek

    Binarygeek Notebook Enthusiast

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    I second this question.
     
    Binarygeek, Apr 25, 2011
    #141
  42. Binarygeek

    Binarygeek Notebook Enthusiast

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    There is a chance, albeit a small one, that the 6 pin ribbon may use 2 lines for ground, and 2 for power.
     
    Binarygeek, Apr 25, 2011
    #142
  43. sskos2000

    sskos2000 Newbie

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    I "Third" this question!o
     
    sskos2000, Apr 25, 2011
    #143
  44. alstrike

    alstrike Notebook Consultant

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    Me too, I have an Intel 6300 and 6200 waiting for this to be answered...

    Please!
     
    alstrike, Apr 25, 2011
    #144
  45. amd851

    amd851 Notebook Guru

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    amd851, Apr 25, 2011
    #145
  46. speedking261

    speedking261 Notebook Consultant

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    I second that. I've been modding XML files in the SimplePass software to get it to launch other programs like Firefox and custom batch files. I hate how it asks to use/save a password for every site that you log into.
     
    speedking261, Apr 25, 2011
    #146
  47. Bag3l

    Bag3l Notebook Evangelist

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    Bag3l, Apr 25, 2011
    #147
  48. amd851

    amd851 Notebook Guru

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    AND when you log out of a website that you've saved the password to it asks you if you want to log in with that annoying popup
    and when browsing forums like this, if you don't want to log in, it gives you a pop up (asking to log in) every time a new page is viewed until you actually are logged in...
     
    amd851, Apr 25, 2011
    #148
  49. Binarygeek

    Binarygeek Notebook Enthusiast

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    Regarding the Intel 6200: This is not a question of drivers. Machine will not boot with a wireless card that is not accepted by the BIOS prior to booting.
     
    Binarygeek, Apr 25, 2011
    #149
  50. amd851

    amd851 Notebook Guru

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    we're sure of this or this is just a theory? also what if you disable the network card from the boot menu so that it only turns on when windows is already booted, could that work?
    lol i didn't realize HP wud be so annoying with their BIOS
     
    amd851, Apr 25, 2011
    #150
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