I killed my Keyboard! Need Parts!

[Old Muley]

This afternoon I decided to clean up the keys on my mid 2010 MacBook Pro 13" (MC374LL/A), and in the process I broke a number of the keys. I figured finding replacement keys would be no big deal, but that is proving to be a challenge. Individual keys are available for $4 to $9 each, with is crazy expensive.

In my searching I stumbled across a couple of listings for a product called "Apple KIT, KEYCAP, BLACK BACKLIT, VERSION D - 922-9277" which sounds to me like it might be what I need. Any information on how to obtain Apple parts? I really don't want to spend a ton of money buying individual keys, and I don't need the entire upper case replacement I've found on some sites.

 

[0r30]

is this what you need ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/APPLE-Macbo..._Trackballs&hash=item3f169f5199#ht_1680wt_858

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-App..._Trackballs&hash=item35b32a2e70#ht_1508wt_830

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Macbo...=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27c03d58eb#nogo

 

[Old Muley]

Yeah, I saw those auctions and might consider picking one up. I just don't relish the idea of replacing the entire keyboard.

 

[skitzogreg]

I can't be the only one who glanced quickly at this thread and thought it said:

"I killed my Keyboard! Need Pants!"

 

[Jamesesesesess]

Yeah, I saw those auctions and might consider picking one up. I just don't relish the idea of replacing the entire keyboard.

I don't blame you... having to unscrew and screw 60+ tiny screws? It is a pain in the ass, I've done it before on an HP laptop. Losing some of the screws in the assembly is also a given unless you have a real steady hand. Then again, I'm not a professional.

Here's a link with some information on what you found: http://www.scribd.com/doc/51818127/24/Keycap-Replacement

Service packages of 78 replacement keycaps are now available in the U.S. and Canada (U.S.version keyboard only) for designated MacBook and MacBook Pro computers. The packagesallow you to replace individual keycaps rather than the entire top case.There are four different keycap packages, based on the color of the key and the type of keyboard (version D and S).

I'm sure you've already found this link, but in case you haven't, you can get the key caps for $40 http://www.impactcomputers.com/922-9277.html

Personally, I would replace the key caps instead of replacing the entire keyboard, because I would probably mess something up internally, but if you're handy, replacing the entire keyboard isn't a horrible idea either.

 

[Old Muley]

Thanks Jamesesesesess, I ordered a kit this morning from Impact Computers so we'll see how it works out. As I searched around I also found this part available from "Gainsaver", but from other threads here I know they are best avoided.

 

[Old Muley]

Dang!

I ordered the "in stock" part from Impact Computers two days ago, and yesterday I get a call from them saying it is out of stock, but they'd special order it for me for an extra $20 bucks. While I appreciate the customer service call, you'd think they would honor their posted price. Now I've got to find a different supplier.

 

[bozz2006]

I can't be the only one who glanced quickly at this thread and thought it said:

"I killed my Keyboard! Need Pants!"

Makes you wonder what he did to kill the keyboard, eh?

 

[dljeffery]

Now I've got to find a different supplier.

Why not buy one of those eBay full keyboards, remove the keycaps you need and put them on your existing keyboard?

 

[Old Muley]

Why not buy one of those eBay full keyboards, remove the keycaps you need and put them on your existing keyboard?

You read my mind, since I just did that a few moments ago. Hopefully it will work as I managed to find a youtube video that showed the correct and careful way to remove/install keys.

The whole "need PANTS" thing is funny and has given me chuckle. Had I managed to break more than I did, my pants would have definitely needed a good cleaning.

 

[Old Muley]

Success!

My eBay-sourced keyboard arrived today. Initially I was going to pop off the key caps and simply put them on my existing keyboard, but I discovered that wouldn't work. My MBP has(had) the "revision B" keyboard, and the one I received was a "revision A". This meant I couldn't swap out the keys, since the mechanics of the scissors springs is completely different. So I decided to dive in and with the help of ifixit I was able to replace the entire keyboard. Honestly, pulling my Macbook apart was a bit anxiety-producing but it worked. Probably the worst part was removing and installing the 50 or so micro-screws that hold the keyboard in place.

 

[Djhomefries]

Nice work