howto replace 570 keycap

[ckaufman]

I dislodged the right arrow key from one of my 570s and cannot
figure out how to replace it, or whether I have lost a necessary
piece of it. Can anyone give me step-by-step help? I haven't been able
to unearth any directions on my own.
The scissors-like pieces of plastic are still attached to the underside
and I can pull them away from the top part. Must they perhaps be
detached and then attached separately before the keycap is
replaced?
CK

[thuur]

Check if the plastic 'scissors' are still in the right place. The bottom pins should fit freely in 2 metallic holes and the upper 2 pins slide in 2 gaps. When this is in place you should be able to just press the key back in place. Jiggling a little might help and make sure the TP is at room temperature because those delicate pins break easily.

I think the plastic pins might not be 100% in place. Carefully pull another key and check how it has to be seated. Again: a little jiggling helps.


Good luck!

R,

[ckaufman]

Hi
Thanks for the hints.

But...
I don't know what the 'right place' for the scissors is .
They are now attached to the underside of the keycap.
I can unfold them by pulling from the bottom but they do not
stay extended, especially when I place the cap in its
spot on the keyboard.
The two metallic receptacles for the plastic pins on the
left are the same as each other as are the two on the right.
Your description makes it sound like the two on the bottom
(towards the user) are alike, as are the two on the top (towards
the LCD).

As far as removing another ... that's a slippery slope.

c.

[virge]

I took the right arrow key off a spare TP570 keyboard I have and snapped a quick picture. Hope it helps you figure out how its supposed to look.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=w1xmpx&s=3

Its not too difficult to put back together once you know what it looks like.

Andy


Edit: To put the key back onto the clips, get the left side in first then press down on the right until it clicks. This is with the plastic scissors down.

[ckaufman]

The picture is very helpful. Thanks.
My keycap has come off but the scissors-like thing
came off with it-it is now attached to the underside of the cap,
not to the keyboard as in your pic.
I have tried to pry it from the cap and now that I know it
is a separate piece I can try with more confidence.
But it has not separated, so far.
And once off, would the procedure be to then fit it onto the metal
strips, and then just press the cap back onto it?
I have tried to fit it into the metal strips while it is attached
to the cap, but without success.

c.

[virge]

I've always found it easier to attach the plastic scissors first. Once you have that on there, the key is relatively easy to attach. Just make sure the left side latch is under the left arm of the scissors before you press down on the right side.

Andy

[thuur]

Hi
The two metallic receptacles for the plastic pins on the
left are the same as each other as are the two on the right.
Your description makes it sound like the two on the bottom
(towards the user) are alike, as are the two on the top (towards
the LCD).

Ah yes indeed! Some keys (like the arrows) have the scissors 90 degrees rotated.


R,

[ckaufman]

Thuur and Virge-
We did it!
You gave me the courage to pry the scissors from the cap.
Then I could see where the pins were meant to go,
and force them in. Then a not too gentle straight down
push on the cap to get it reattached to the scissors
and voila.
Many thanks.
Chuck

[virge]

Then I could see where the pins were meant to go, and force them in. Then a not too gentle straight down push on the cap to get it reattached to the scissors and voila.

I'm glad it worked out for you-- I would've offered you parts from mine if you had broken it!