How to Detach a Keyboard From a Sony Vaio Notebook Computer

How to Detach a Keyboard From a Sony Vaio Notebook Computer
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Reasons to Remove a Keyboard

Laptop keyboard removal can be a hassle, but unfortunately it can be a necessary action if you meed to do any maintenance or thorough cleaning. Thankfully, on a Vaio laptop, the process is a little easier than you’d find on many computers. But why do it at all? The reasons are numerous, but here are a few:

- To access laptop parts below the keyboard

- To clean the keyboard/interior of the laptop

- To replace the keyboard

- To replace a key on the keyboard

Those are the four main reasons why people do it, and you should consider doing it as well. Confused as to how? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered in our comprehensive guide.

Step 1) Preparedness and Materials

Much like any tech project or arts and crafts undertaking, the first thing you’ll need to do when trying to take the keyboard out of a Sony Vaio is gather all of the proper tools and things. For this, you’ll need a small Phillips-head screwdriver, possibly a flathead screwdriver, and a screw tray to ensure you don’t lose anything. Suitable replacements for the flathead screwdriver (which will only be used for prying things at this point) include a butter knife, plastic spudger, or an otherwise flat and sturdy device.

After you’ve got everything, it’s onto the fun part.

Step 2) Prepare the Computer

So, for this step you’ll want to do three things: Firstly, shut down and unplug your computer. Secondly, remove the battery. These two actions do a couple of things, but primarily they prevent you from getting electrocuted in case you drop something into the laptop or have to move things around inside there.

The third thing you wanna do is simply flip the laptop over to prepare it for opening, though you probably already did this to remove the battery.

Step 3) Screw Removal

The first screws you’ll need to remove to do this are the ones that are inside the two square holes right next to where the battery was sitting. If you have trouble finding them, they’re on the short sides of the battery towards the bottom. Once you have these removed, place them into your screw tray to ensure they don’t get lost.

If you don’t have a screw tray, I recommend taping them to the surface you’re working on and labeling them.

Step 4) Keyboard Removal (Part 1)

Screen shot 2011-07-14 at 10.58.29 PM

Flip your laptop back over onto its proper side and open it up, folding the LCD screen as far back as it can comfortably go in order to make sure it doesn’t get in the way of anything. Some people recommend covering it with a towel or other cloth to protect it from scratches, but this shouldn’t be necessary. If you feel particularly nervous about ruining it, however, feel free to take this precaution.

With the Vaio laptop there are little buttons you have to push to release the keyboard, and this is where the flathead screwdriver, spudger, or otherwise flat-yet-durable device comes in handy. If you look right above the F4 key, you’ll see a little switch that needs to be flicked upwards in order to get it to release. Carefully stick the flat object in between the keyboard and laptop itself, and then pry the left side of the keyboard out of its holding position. While it’s raised, hold it up with one hand and use the other hand to flick the release button right about where the F12 key is located.

Be extra careful with this, though: If you notice that the keyboard is not lifting out, don’t force it. Go back and check to make sure both switches are fully flicked, and once you flick them properly, lift the keyboard all the way out. Don’t pull too fast though, because there is still something holding it in.

Step 5) The Ribbon (Part 2)

On most Windows laptops, the keyboard is connected to the motherboard by way of a ribbon cable that’s held in by a little connector. In order to detach a keyboard from a Sony Vaio notebook computer, you’ll need to first go in with your flat device and flip the latch upwards. The thin ribbon should come out easily, but don’t force it if you’re noticing difficulties. Like I said before, first go back to check that you did everything right before proceeding with the removal of the ribbon.

If you’re sure everything is good, feel free to take it out and set it aside. You’re not ready to replace, clean, or do whatever it is you want to do with your keyboard before putting it back into the laptop.

Step 6) Putting the Keyboard Back In

There’s not much you need to know about putting the keyboard back into its original place other than that the connector ribbon needs to be firmly inserted. If it’s not, and your keyboard isn’t responding to input, you’ll need to open it all the way back up and re-insert it, which is a very time consuming process. Other than that, just follow these steps backwards and you’ll be back in working order in no time.

If you have any questions about this whole process, don’t hesitate to ask; I’m always open to helping people.

References

[Image] Product Page, https://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sony+vaio&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=MBv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivnsur&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=630&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=16293981310214485243&sa=X&ei=X7sfTp6lG-fg0QG_r6TGAw&ved=0CLgBEPMCMAA

[Image] Product Page, https://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=sony+vaio&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=MBv&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivnsur&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1280&bih=630&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=18218747228795740302&sa=X&ei=X7sfTp6lG-fg0QG_r6TGAw&ved=0CNwBEPMCMAI

[Information] Author Knowledge

[Information] Mark Rehort, How to remove the keyboard from…, https://mark.rehorst.com/Sony_Vaio/index.html