Laptop Cleaning - Is It Safe? - Can Keys Be Replaced?

[DaVibe]

So I'm finding my laptop is a little beat up ...
I'm wondering how safe or unsafe it is for a relative newbie (to opening computers) it is to open up a laptop (unscrew) and just dust everything off.

Also, my space bar is beginning to stick. Can that be popped out and replaced? Can I purchase new keys for the entire board?

Appreciate any advice.

[carmaster]

I would'nt open up the laptop. I would buy a compressed can of air and try that on the keyboard. If the keys are messed up, you can use an external keyboard.

[TenzoR]

Depending on laptop, you can usually remove the keyboard so you can blow within the gap. Though replacing key is another story since you can only replace a keyboard on a laptop.

[masterc]

What make/model is your laptop?
Dell/HP/and soem others actually provide manuals to dissassemble some of their laptops. It depends on how comfortable you are with doing this type of thing.
Here is a link to a website that shows Toshiba laptops

You can remove individual keys, but it is easy to break the little tabs that hold them in place... so be careful if you try that.

[jperras]

I wouldn't recommend opening up a laptop. The parts are just too sensitive and compacted.

[Kasakato]

Opening a laptop is easy. Putting it back together is hard. In most cases it can go back together, but something will never fit as they did before.

[ShadowVlican]

most laptops require you to open them to install ram anyways (many laptops have a space for one stick of ram located underneath the keyboard)

[DaVibe]

What make/model is your laptop?
Dell/HP/and soem others actually provide manuals to dissassemble some of their laptops. It depends on how comfortable you are with doing this type of thing.
Here is a link to a website that shows Toshiba laptops

You can remove individual keys, but it is easy to break the little tabs that hold them in place... so be careful if you try that.

Gateway 6018GZ Notebook

[Kasakato]

most laptops require you to open them to install ram anyways (many laptops have a space for one stick of ram located underneath the keyboard)

Most have an easy to access spot at the bottom.

[KingdomCome]

Laptops are tricky things, I doubt you can find a replacement for your keyboard.

Sure, you can try to take the thing apart and clean it, but there are risks involved.

[rabbit]

On all the ThinkPads that I've used, the keys pop off like on a desktop keyboard, although the "gears" below it are somewhat different.

Below it was sort of a double C clamp, which holds the key in place, and a rubber dome that acts like a spring. The spacebar has a metal rod, and can be a b.... to get back on.

[masterc]

Gateway 6018GZ Notebook

If you're up to it, here is a basic guide for your laptop ... Gateway 6016GZ

Remove the battery first... use compressed air to clean the HSF as in the PDF.