Requesting advice for T500 keyboard key modification

Hi,
I have a T500 (about 7 years old), and recently I've replaced a keyboard.
For some reason one specific key (the 'W' key) is somewhat unresponsive and only registers (i.e the 'W' is electronically printed out)
if I press it hard and/or on it's bottom right corner.

I'm looking for a custom way to tweak it a little - remove it, permanently attach something underneath (preferably concocted from common household items)
and then put it back in place for good.

The catch is that I've gone into great length in finding this keyboard for my T500 model where I live, so I only get one 'live' shot at this.
It's worth mentioning that I do have the old keyboard for some trial and error, but the real deal though is a one timer...

So in light of this, I'm quite apprehensive in removing individual keys and putting them back in place.
For starters I've found this video tutorial for some guidance on how to remove and attach individual keys:


Can someone please help out and share some advice ?
(instructions / images / videos will be greatly appreciated).

Thanks in advance!

Assaf

 

Don't worry, it's not that difficult, just don't resort to too much force. Use the old keyboard for practise; remove one or two rarely-used keys and see how the two scissor shapes interlock. Also pay attention to the way both are clipped in place behind the metal 'hooks' on the keyboard itself.

From your description you'll probably want to 'pad' the key. A nice, sharp cut-out from credit card and super-glue may do:

 

Hey t456,
Thanks for this nifty little awesome trick!
I performed the 'operation' on the 'patient', and it went without a glitch.
However, even though the result is conceivably better, the key still responds rather sluggishly (kinda like a real-life surgeon deal...hehe)
So I guess at this point either I'll learn to live with it, or just order a new keyboard on e-bay.
Hey, at the very least I learned a new 'tweaky trick'

So many thanks !!!

 

Myes, notice the third picture; pushing the rubber dome shorts the two layers, activating the key. Problem is likely a poor connection here (water damage, wear?), but that is not something you could fix (without ripping the rubber dome, which you need to push back the cap).

There's an alternative; swap " W" with " Q", presuming Q sees much less use. You'd swap the key caps and change their scancodes ( complete list and background wiki).

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,02,00,00,00,10,00,11,00,11,00,10,00,\
  00,00,00,00

And to remove:

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=-

Needs reboot, btq (<- typing this from a sqapped setup ... needs a little practise).

 

Hey t456,
I took a look at the old keyboard and ruined one of the rubbers in a broken key (which I convince myself that I did it on purpose and not because of my clumsiness while practicing some trial and error on it...lol),
it does look like the problem in the new keyboard with the 'w' key has something to do with the actual connection, which I do not see how I might be able to fix.
The annoying thing about this is that it's a new keyboard (!!!) which I bought from some tech guy around here - no refunds / customer guarantee in this case :-(

The idea you're putting forward is interesting, but it involves modifying the qwerty layout to accommodate expected frequency of use,
instead of actually solving the problem - this personally doesn't suite me.

As it seems I will not be able to solve this, I think I don't have any choice but either live with the current situation or just get a new one.
browsing around on e-bay. I reckon I might go with this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/400960887723?rmvSB=true
(FRU is identical to my old keyboard, local native language engraving was added to it when I bought the laptop).
and along with one of those custom made quality keyboard keys stickers for my native language it just might do the trick...

say, while I'm looking into this, I've never actually replaced a keyboard by myself (I got someone to install the current keyboard).
By any chance, do you have a recommendation for a step by step visual guide for this operation -
video or something similar to the crystal clear drawing you shared with me for the key padding modification ?
So I might learn how to do this myself...
(assuming it's do-able in my own home with a simple screw driver, and easy enough to be performed by a clumsy handed person like me)
That would be of great help!

Thanks in advance (for everything!)
Assaf

 

Even better; swap the key caps. Only applies to those with similar size and shape, but shouldn't leave many that still need stickers.

Sure, if you managed to swap key caps; this takes 1/4th the skill, so ...

Not familiar with this model, but general principle is the same. Might check YouTube for a few examples, just to get the hang of it. Yours needs one screw removed, at least, presumably accessible from the bottom. Green is screw, purple/blue is the cable you need to disconnect from motherboard:

Spoiler: Lenovo T500 - keyboard

YouTube thingy, for good measure:

Spoiler: Lenovo T500 - keyboard replacement

 

seems easy enough
I've ordered my keyboard via e-bay, should take some until it arrives.
hope things will work smoothly this time w/o any unexpected surprises.

Thanks t456 for your kind and considerate assistance!