Laptop repair?

mattsday · 17-06-2004, 11:33

I've got a Dell Inspiron 8100 (nice large picture here), and my nephew has very kindly decided to pull half of the keys off the keyboard and wrecked the metal pins underneath

I've called Dell and they've quoted me £250+VAT to replace the keyboard (off-site, 5 day turnaround), which seems a bit much for me.

I know Dell laptops are just rebranded laptops from other manufacturers for the most part (and their prices are very excessive), so I'm wondering if some kind soul knows of a (reputable) place that might be able to do this for me?

Cheers in advance

msd

lentini · 17-06-2004, 11:47

I could sort it out for you.

mattsday · 17-06-2004, 12:11

Quote:

Originally posted by lentini
I could sort it out for you.

Thanks for the offer mate, it's much appreciated, but I think I can manage

I've just done a bit more research and found a website on how to take the laptop apart. The keyboard comes off pretty easily, it's the 4 screws on the back marked with k for keyboard

So all I need now is to find a supplier to supply me with a new keyboard, and I should be sorted. Feel free to let me know if anyone knows of one

And thanks again lentini for the offer

Damon · 17-06-2004, 12:18

Here's a keyboard on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...sPageName=WDVW

rnurse · 17-06-2004, 12:22

www.laptopbits.co.uk have the keyboard for £95+vat, though I've never bought from them myself. Should be fairly easy to fit if you're careful - there are service manuals on Dell's website which are generally pretty useful.

roddy22 · 17-06-2004, 12:35

I knew laptop parts were expensive but had no idea they were that much!!! You can get a desktop keyboard for a fiver!

mattsday · 17-06-2004, 15:03

Thanks for the help guys, the keyboard itself was simplicity to remove. Just unscrew 4 screws on the back and it lifts off, then just pull the cable out of the slot gently and you're done

And some wanted to charge me £35 for this alone, it took me under 2 minutes

Anyway, I'm in the process of getting quotes for new keyboards. That ebay one looks like it'll do the business, it's quite a relief to have brought the price down from £300 to around £70

Again, thanks for the help. If anyone knows of anywhere cheaper, I'm all ears