Thinkpads Forum

Question is in the subject line.

I thought I'd ask before I risk messing up two old keyboards.

Reason: the little bipple on the "F" key on my T520 is worn down. I have the carcass of a T61p; it's pretty well picked over, but it does have a great "F" key.

Thanks.

There are 3 different keyboard manufacturers within a model year line eg. T410-T420. They use different plunger mechanisms and scissor mechanisms to connect the keys on keyboards. Each row has a different mechanism within the same model line of the specific Thinkpad generation. So in theory a T61p key could work but I would guess not because the keyboard designs are different. I would suggest buying several used keyboards to use as backup keyboards for keys. You want to make certain the FRU is the same as your existing keyboard because of the different plungers and scissor mechanisms. I destroyed a couple of keyboards myself.

Thank you very much, Hans. Your information will keep me from doing something stupid (like prying off an otherwise O.K. key cap in the hopes of replacing it with one that probably won't work).

I'll be on the lookout for a decent spare T520 keyboard. These TPs are like old cars. It's good to keep extra parts around. But it's great how precisely the parts are identified and how detailed the service manuals are. I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here.