My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.

Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking if
I could fix it.

Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. He
says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. He accidentally
pried one of the keys off.

I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
instructions for how to reinstall the keys. It looks like I should be
able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique is not
working.

Anyone run into this before?

In
news:a6d67f7f-6a55-42ab-bf1b-0246b588aa4f@r36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com,
Speed typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:57:33 -0700 (PDT):
> My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.
>
> Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking if
> I could fix it.
>
> Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. He
> says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. He accidentally
> pried one of the keys off.
>
> I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
> instructions for how to reinstall the keys. It looks like I should be
> able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique is not
> working.
>
> Anyone run into this before?

A quick Google search turns up they cost new $14.49 to $25.99. I dunno,
sometimes it is worth the few extra bucks to make a problem to go away.
Don't ya think?

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2

"BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:h7hfu7$hv0$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> In news:a6d67f7f-6a55-42ab-bf1b-0246b588aa4f@r36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com,
> Speed typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:57:33 -0700 (PDT):
>> My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.
>>
>> Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking if
>> I could fix it.
>>
>> Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. He
>> says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. He accidentally
>> pried one of the keys off.
>>
>> I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
>> instructions for how to reinstall the keys. It looks like I should be
>> able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique is not
>> working.
>>
>> Anyone run into this before?
>
> A quick Google search turns up they cost new $14.49 to $25.99. I dunno,
> sometimes it is worth the few extra bucks to make a problem to go away.
> Don't ya think?
>
> --
> Bill
> Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2
>
if they recently bought it wouldn't warranty be a first choice????

In news:7g338pF2m6skmU1@mid.individual.net,
olfart typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:04:56 -0400:
> "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
> news:h7hfu7$hv0$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>> In
>> news:a6d67f7f-6a55-42ab-bf1b-0246b588aa4f@r36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com,
>> Speed typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:57:33 -0700 (PDT):
>>> My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.
>>>
>>> Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking
>>> if I could fix it.
>>>
>>> Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. He
>>> says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. He accidentally
>>> pried one of the keys off.
>>>
>>> I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
>>> instructions for how to reinstall the keys. It looks like I should
>>> be able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique
>>> is not working.
>>>
>>> Anyone run into this before?
>>
>> A quick Google search turns up they cost new $14.49 to $25.99. I
>> dunno, sometimes it is worth the few extra bucks to make a problem
>> to go away. Don't ya think?
>>
> if they recently bought it wouldn't warranty be a first choice????

Got me there. Although I generally still fix my own stuff under
warrantee, if it only costs a few bucks. As you have to pay for shipping
anyway. So why bother? <grin>

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2

"BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
news:h7ir3p$ohj$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> In news:7g338pF2m6skmU1@mid.individual.net,
> olfart typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:04:56 -0400:
>> "BillW50" <BillW50@aol.kom> wrote in message
>> news:h7hfu7$hv0$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>>> In
>>> news:a6d67f7f-6a55-42ab-bf1b-0246b588aa4f@r36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com,
>>> Speed typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:57:33 -0700 (PDT):
>>>> My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.
>>>>
>>>> Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking
>>>> if I could fix it.
>>>>
>>>> Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. He
>>>> says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. He accidentally
>>>> pried one of the keys off.
>>>>
>>>> I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
>>>> instructions for how to reinstall the keys. It looks like I should
>>>> be able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique
>>>> is not working.
>>>>
>>>> Anyone run into this before?
>>>
>>> A quick Google search turns up they cost new $14.49 to $25.99. I
>>> dunno, sometimes it is worth the few extra bucks to make a problem
>>> to go away. Don't ya think?
>>>
>> if they recently bought it wouldn't warranty be a first choice????
>
> Got me there. Although I generally still fix my own stuff under warrantee,
> if it only costs a few bucks. As you have to pay for shipping anyway. So
> why bother? <grin>
>
> --
> Bill
> Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2
>
I do too, but on some laptops reinstalling a key can be a real pain and
since he also has sticky keys he should probably see if Acer will replace
the keyboard

On Sep 1, 9:04*am, "olfart" <olfar...@excite.com> wrote:
> "BillW50" <Bill...@aol.kom> wrote in message
>
> news:h7ir3p$ohj$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
>
> > Innews:7g338pF2m6skmU1@mid.individual.net,
> > olfart typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:04:56 -0400:
> >> "BillW50" <Bill...@aol.kom> wrote in message
> >>news:h7hfu7$hv0$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> >>> In
> >>>news:a6d67f7f-6a55-42ab-bf1b-0246b588aa4f@r36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com,
> >>> Speed typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:57:33 -0700 (PDT):
> >>>> My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.
>
> >>>> Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking
> >>>> if I could fix it.
>
> >>>> Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. *He
> >>>> says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. *He accidentally
> >>>> pried one of the keys off.
>
> >>>> I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
> >>>> instructions for how to reinstall the keys. *It looks like I should
> >>>> be able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique
> >>>> is not working.
>
> >>>> Anyone run into this before?
>
> >>> A quick Google search turns up they cost new $14.49 to $25.99. I
> >>> dunno, sometimes it is worth the few extra bucks to make a problem
> >>> to go away. Don't ya think?
>
> >> if they recently bought it wouldn't warranty be a first choice????
>
> > Got me there. Although I generally still fix my own stuff under warrantee,
> > if it only costs a few bucks. As you have to pay for shipping anyway. So
> > why bother? <grin>
>
> > --
> > Bill
> > Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2
>
> I do too, but on some laptops reinstalling a key can be a real pain and
> since he also has sticky keys he should probably see if Acer will replace
> the keyboard- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I am avoiding using the warranty because my son would be without a
laptop for however long it takes to get a new one. It doesn't make
sense to pay for something that he can't use.

In my research, I found reviews that talked about this specific
issue. This appears to be a design flaw. A new laptop will develop
the same problem and eventually have to be sent back to Acer. This
process will be repeated until the warranty period expires. Then I
will have to learn how to reinstall the keys when they get pulled off
(kind of where I am now, except my son has his laptop and I haven't
paid any postage).

I am suddenly reminded of the problems I had with my hp49g+
calculator. The keyboard was poorly designed, and broke within the
first month of use. HP would send me a new calculator, then I would
have to send to old one back (so I was never without a calculator).
Eventually, HP didn't even want the old calculator back, but my
warranty period had already expired by that point. The end result is
me owning a $180 calculator with a broken keyboard.

I wonder if I can convince him to use an external keyboard.

"Speed" <Craigs1015@aol.com> wrote in message
news:e7b23f75-45a0-495a-92e9-bf5bdd41ce6a@e18g2000vbe.googlegroups.com...
On Sep 1, 9:04 am, "olfart" <olfar...@excite.com> wrote:
> "BillW50" <Bill...@aol.kom> wrote in message
>
> news:h7ir3p$ohj$1@news.eternal-september.org...
>
>
>
> > Innews:7g338pF2m6skmU1@mid.individual.net,
> > olfart typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:04:56 -0400:
> >> "BillW50" <Bill...@aol.kom> wrote in message
> >>news:h7hfu7$hv0$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> >>> In
> >>>news:a6d67f7f-6a55-42ab-bf1b-0246b588aa4f@r36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com,
> >>> Speed typed on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:57:33 -0700 (PDT):
> >>>> My father in law recently bought my son an Aspire One laptop.
>
> >>>> Yesterday, my son brought me the laptop and one of the keys asking
> >>>> if I could fix it.
>
> >>>> Apparently he has been having a problem with the keys sticking. He
> >>>> says that he has to pry the keys up occasionally. He accidentally
> >>>> pried one of the keys off.
>
> >>>> I looked around everywhere I could think of and could find no
> >>>> instructions for how to reinstall the keys. It looks like I should
> >>>> be able to line everything up and push firmly, but this technique
> >>>> is not working.
>
> >>>> Anyone run into this before?
>
> >>> A quick Google search turns up they cost new $14.49 to $25.99. I
> >>> dunno, sometimes it is worth the few extra bucks to make a problem
> >>> to go away. Don't ya think?
>
> >> if they recently bought it wouldn't warranty be a first choice????
>
> > Got me there. Although I generally still fix my own stuff under
> > warrantee,
> > if it only costs a few bucks. As you have to pay for shipping anyway. So
> > why bother? <grin>
>
> > --
> > Bill
> > Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2
>
> I do too, but on some laptops reinstalling a key can be a real pain and
> since he also has sticky keys he should probably see if Acer will replace
> the keyboard- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I am avoiding using the warranty because my son would be without a
laptop for however long it takes to get a new one. It doesn't make
sense to pay for something that he can't use.

In my research, I found reviews that talked about this specific
issue. This appears to be a design flaw. A new laptop will develop
the same problem and eventually have to be sent back to Acer. This
process will be repeated until the warranty period expires. Then I
will have to learn how to reinstall the keys when they get pulled off
(kind of where I am now, except my son has his laptop and I haven't
paid any postage).

I am suddenly reminded of the problems I had with my hp49g+
calculator. The keyboard was poorly designed, and broke within the
first month of use. HP would send me a new calculator, then I would
have to send to old one back (so I was never without a calculator).
Eventually, HP didn't even want the old calculator back, but my
warranty period had already expired by that point. The end result is
me owning a $180 calculator with a broken keyboard.

I wonder if I can convince him to use an external keyboard.


well then the careful placement of a drop of crazy glue might do the trick.
BTW Acer might just send you a replacement keyboard whuch shouldn't be too
difficult to install....have you contacted them about the problem???

With respect to reinstalling keys, there are two situations:

If just the "keycap" came off, then just push it back on. It's usually
very simple, takes under 5 seconds.

Underneath the keycap is typically a multi-piece "scissors mechanism".
If that mechanism is dislodged, it is much more difficult to get it back
right (and that is assuming that nothing is actually broken).
Experienced laptop techs can almost always do it (sometimes takes 10-20
minutes), but if you are not familiar with those your chances are poor.


Speed wrote:
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> I am avoiding using the warranty because my son would be without a
> laptop for however long it takes to get a new one. It doesn't make
> sense to pay for something that he can't use.
>
> In my research, I found reviews that talked about this specific
> issue. This appears to be a design flaw. A new laptop will develop
> the same problem and eventually have to be sent back to Acer. This
> process will be repeated until the warranty period expires. Then I
> will have to learn how to reinstall the keys when they get pulled off
> (kind of where I am now, except my son has his laptop and I haven't
> paid any postage).
>
> I am suddenly reminded of the problems I had with my hp49g+
> calculator. The keyboard was poorly designed, and broke within the
> first month of use. HP would send me a new calculator, then I would
> have to send to old one back (so I was never without a calculator).
> Eventually, HP didn't even want the old calculator back, but my
> warranty period had already expired by that point. The end result is
> me owning a $180 calculator with a broken keyboard.
>
> I wonder if I can convince him to use an external keyboard.

On Sep 1, 9:01*pm, Barry Watzman <WatzmanNOS...@neo.rr.com> wrote:
> With respect to reinstalling keys, there are two situations:
>
> If just the "keycap" came off, then just push it back on. *It's usually
> very simple, takes under 5 seconds.
>
> Underneath the keycap is typically a multi-piece "scissors mechanism".
> If that mechanism is dislodged, it is much more difficult to get it back
> right (and that is assuming that nothing is actually broken).
> Experienced laptop techs can almost always do it (sometimes takes 10-20
> minutes), but if you are not familiar with those your chances are poor.
>
>
>
> Speed wrote:
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > I am avoiding using the warranty because my son would be without a
> > laptop for however long it takes to get a new one. *It doesn't make
> > sense to pay for something that he can't use.
>
> > In my research, I found reviews that talked about this specific
> > issue. *This appears to be a design flaw. *A new laptop will develop
> > the same problem and eventually have to be sent back to Acer. *This
> > process will be repeated until the warranty period expires. *Then I
> > will have to learn how to reinstall the keys when they get pulled off
> > (kind of where I am now, except my son has his laptop and I haven't
> > paid any postage).
>
> > I am suddenly reminded of the problems I had with my hp49g+
> > calculator. *The keyboard was poorly designed, and broke within the
> > first month of use. *HP would send me a new calculator, then I would
> > have to send to old one back (so I was never without a calculator).
> > Eventually, HP didn't even want the old calculator back, but my
> > warranty period had already expired by that point. *The end result is
> > me owning a $180 calculator with a broken keyboard.
>
> > I wonder if I can convince him to use an external keyboard.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

The scissors mechanism is completely disassembled.

I think reading the words key cap and scissor mechanism was all that I
needed. I did a search and found a picture of what it should look
like. (http://www.powerbookmedic.com/xcart1/images/D/d_503.jpg)

Knowing that an experienced technician takes 10-20 minutes to do this
is also helpful. I don't feel bad about spending a little time
getting things lined up.

If I get too frustrated, I will go with the superglue idea.

I will let y'all know how it goes. Thanks everyone for the help.

Do not get super glue anywhere near a keyboard. Ruining the keyboard is
a near certainty.


Speed wrote:

>
> If I get too frustrated, I will go with the superglue idea.
>
> I will let y'all know how it goes. Thanks everyone for the help.