Keyboard exchange?

Two questions, because although I like my Alps keyboard well enough, I like the NMB on my wife's R51 even better:

1. Is it tricky to get Lenovo to send a specific replacement keyboard, or is it as simple as asking?

2. Is it tricky to replace the keyboard? (Compared to say, adding RAM, which was no big deal.)

Thanks for any help,

Chris

 

2. Usually it requires removing the top strip above the keyboard , 2-3 screws , then simply raising and disconnecting the keyboard from the mobo .

 

In reply in your first question, I doubt they will replace your keyboard free of charge. However, if it is broken that is a different situation. Hehe.

I'm pretty sure you could buy a NMB keyboard from them or other sources though.

Matt

 

Yes, it's as easy as asking. Someone in the past posted about just asking for the specific FRU and it was sent no questions ask. My keyboard's function key died and I just told them and they sent another. They didn't ask for the original back. I gave them my first choice as NMB and my second as Alps (I gave the FRU), and said that in no circumstance do I want the Chicony. Both the NMB and Alps were out of stock, and the Alps came back first. They offered the NMB, but I decided not to wait. They were very versatile.

You don't need to remove the bezel, just the wrist rest and the keyboard. That's a total of five screws, all identical. I actually found a nice sharp #1 phillips did better on the screws than a #0 precision philips. Once you have the wrist rest unscrewed you just dig under it on the keyboard side and ease it off. The cable on the keyboard is tricky as it seems very fragile and the plug is tricky. If the tab slips under a portion of the roll cage you'll have to get under it with something like a toothpick to get a grip.

 

IBM Service maintains a list of interchangeable FRU parts for each specific part of a specific model... As long as you specify any FRU that's on the list, you can have it.

 

Wow, that's amazing. I think I am going to test that out soon.

Chris

 

When you do, please let me know. I've been itching to try out the NMD keyboard. On the 2 T60s I've at home, one has a Chicony and the other an ALPS. While they aren't as great as the Thai NMD I've got on my T42, they are still very good. Nonetheless, I'd still like to try out the NMD for the T60.

I've tried asking with the local Lenovo office, but they say they don't have the NMD in stock, and even if they did, they wouldn't let me have it even if any of my current keyboards were to konk out. So, I'd be more than interested to know where the NMD can be gotten from...

cheers!

 

Maybe they'd let you have one if you called it NMB

 

heh... didn't actually notice THAT typo.