Thinkpads Forum

Hey.

One of the keys of my SL510 seems sticky, probably some combination of dust and liquid causing it. I wanted to take off the key, wash it and place it back, but before doing so, what's the best way to take out a single key (i.e. the plastic keycap).

I remember taking off keycaps on my old Thinkpad (T43), but I also distinctly remember that if I made even the smallest mistake, pyring to hard or lifting the cap in the wrong directio, one of the tiny fragile plastic connectors that connect the cap with the keyboard broke off.

So, my question is, does anyone have a recommendation how I can take off a cap without causing damage to the parts?

This can depend on the keyboard, but probably from the bottom of the key, making sure you apply equal force to both corners, and don't twist the key.

dr_st wrote:This can depend on the keyboard, but probably from the bottom of the key, making sure you apply equal force to both corners, and don't twist the key.

Thanks for answering. I'm not sure I get exactly what you mean, though.

I remember there being a number of how to's for replacing thinkpad parts, including keys, but I don't know which type of keys are used in a SL510. Is there any tutorial, preferably with pictures, that applies to the SL510?

I would not keep my hopes up for the existence of such a tutorial... It's really not as complicated as you make it out to be. Just stick two fingernails under the bottom two corners of the key (or one in the middle between the two bottom corners), and pry up gently.

The key cap should come off, and the mechanism should remain. Sometimes the mechanism comes with the key and it can be a pain to put it back in place. But the chances of actually breaking something are small, unless you try.

dr_st wrote:I would not keep my hopes up for the existence of such a tutorial... It's really not as complicated as you make it out to be. Just stick two fingernails under the bottom two corners of the key (or one in the middle between the two bottom corners), and pry up gently.

The key cap should come off, and the mechanism should remain. Sometimes the mechanism comes with the key and it can be a pain to put it back in place. But the chances of actually breaking something are small, unless you try.

guess you're right, I'm probably being overcautious. thanks for the advice.