Chicklet keyboard... how do I...

Hi all,
Besides toughbooks, I have a few cages of parrots too, and while interacting with them, it isn't unusual to find them at my desk watching bird clips on youtube. Most of the time, they're preoccupied with show-time and their many toys, to leave my stuff alone but the newest bird in the flock just plucked off my 'PrtSc' key.

Thought I could simply pop it back in but drats, two of those tiny side-lugs/peg/clip(??) broke and the key won't stay in place.

A couple of questions;
Are toughbook keyboards, beside the rubberized and emissive(sp?) ones, all using the same chicklet keys?

How do I safely remove a single key from a parted unit to replace the damaged one? It doesn't necessarily have to be the 'PrtSc' key.

Will a CF-50's keyboard fit the 73? How about one from a 28?

My son and I were working on the 73 earlier and while he doesn't mind a 'blank file'. To me, it's an irritating pebble in my boots. I learned something from this; while toughbooks may be tough, they aren't for the birds!! Suggestions, anyone?

Have a great weekend!
Ron in SG

 

Ron,

I have seen single keys for sale before so I think they are changeable.
The cf-73 uses a thinner keyboard than the 72 or the 27 and 28.
I know as I tried replacing the keyboard on a 73 once.

Alex

 

Alex, if the keyboards are not interchangeable, it looks like I'll have to swap a single key then (although replacing an entire keyboard is much easier since I swapped out the Intel 11b minipci for an Atheros*).

Any idea how to replace a key without damage? Those 'legs' are real tiny!! Kinda hilarious if I go, "oops... there goes another one!" Probably help too, if I can work and see better under a dissecting scope.

*AR5006X chipset a/b/g. Installed client utility cum driver but I can't get around the 'radio disabled' issue (the 'enable' is greyed-out). Still working on it and if none of the online drivers work, I'll drop a note to Linknergy and ask for advice.

Cheers,
Ron in SG

 

seems like your tough book isnt so tough

 

heh... oh don't get me wrong. I won't trade in any of my books for anything else, other than another toughbook.

It's plenty tough alright, just not bird-proof!! Even a juvenile macaw can do a pretty mean number on your ego when it's done with your not-so-tough fingers, I'll bet.

Ron in SG

 

Ha hah... It sure beats your Dell!



Yes... The keys are easy to swap... With patience. Let me know what you need and I'll mail you one. Is it the regular white keyboard or the black one? Is it illuminated? What's the story. There are several ways to do the key swap. One is to carefully pop the key off the legs and then swap it. Then you just pop the key back on th legs when you've made the swap. The other way is to change the whole key.

I've done it both ways... It just depends on the key.

 

TB,

"est ship date.... 8/7 :S"

What Dell? He hasn't even got it yet!

Cap

 

I wish I knew the answer to this... years ago I think we use to swap CF-50 keyboards with CF-28's at my company... but don't quote me on that

 

Guys, thanks for the replies. I'll try to pry a key off the 27 and see how that goes but if the KB or single key is higher/thicker than the 73's, I'll leave the blank alone rather than have replaced key cause abrasion marks on the screen.
Ron in SG