Replacing a spacebar

[andrewlacey]

Oh dear. I feel I've really messed up this time. I removed the spacebar of my iBook and can't get it back on. Can anybody help?

EDIT: There are three connector type things underneath to attach the spacebar to. The middle one has the actual 'button' inside it and I've managed to reconnect the spacebar to that central one. The outer cradles allow the spacebar to work when you apply pressure to the outer edges of the spacebar. At the moment when I press on these, the spacebar doesn't work. Any ideas?

 

[G5orbust]

if it is as difficult as the one on my 12 inch powerbook, then youre in trouble.

The powerbook's keys are suspended up by a white suspension module that hooks into the bottom of the key and the computer itself. The space bar on my powerbook has 3 holding it up.

Instructions on how to replace it:

1. Carefully remove all of the white suspension modules from the underside of the space bar key.
2. Using a tweezers, place the white suspension modules, one by one, into their respective holders. You must keep the module in its suspended state inorder to get it to latch onto the back hook. Then use the tweezers to gently bend the second locking peg into the hole it needs to go into. Note: Be gentle. The suspension module is a cheap piece of thin plastic. It will not endure heavy abuse. Also, this is not an easy step. You will have much trial and error before you get it working.
3. Placed the keyboard on top of the three suspension modules (which chould all be in their suspended, and not flat, state). Then, using as much pressure as you can without damaging the machine, press down on the space bar key in alignment with the suspension modules. It should just click in.

 

[andrewlacey]

SWEET JESUS CHRIST

I've got it back on. God knows how. I fed the ends of the little piece of wire that runs along the bottom of the key into the two little holes that I presumed they came from and just pressed down. I was very concerned for a while.

I didn't even have to remove those little cradles *smarmy yet embarassed*

 

[GeeYouEye]

For future reference a pin or two and some excellent eyesight help a lot with the spacebar. Many, if not most of the other keys you can just push a bunch of times to force them back on, if you can't get it back on perfectly.