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 (http://www.irisvista.com/tech/)

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 (http://www.irisvista.com/tech/)

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 (http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/6000Series/8510572.pdf)

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