LapTop Guys

[Atrocities]

How hard is it to replace the left touch pad button? Mine just went out on my less than 3 year old DELL laptop. (DELL SUCK ***)

[Combat Wombat]

There is almost no chance anyone but Dell could replace it. if you really like the laptop and don't want to carry around an external mouse it might be worth trying to get them to fix it.

[Gandalf Parker]

My dell crapped the same month as my warranty gave out. :(

[Captain Kwok]

I find using a small cordless mouse with my laptop is infinitely better than using any touchpad. :P

[Xrati]

First, call Dell and see if you can get a replacement part. Next the laptop will have all assembly screws on the back side of it. Simply take the screws out and remember to mark long and short screws if your model has any. You should be able to access the pads from under the cover. If you need to remove the keyboards, they come off from the front with just two screws and then you'll have to remove a snapped cover that holds the keyboard in place.

It's not rocket science, but just take your time and remember to use ESD straps!

[Fyron]

Or just take out the battery and touch a metal plate before working... ESD straps are the snake oil of computer maintenance.

[Xrati]

They work, use em!

[Gandalf Parker]

Right... chalk em up next to clean rooms. :)

[Fyron]

Clean rooms at least have a physically sound principle behind them, even if they are generally excessive for most of the stuff they get used for..

They work, use em!
They work at giving you a false sense of security, all while lining the pockets of the strap fatcats! Seriously though, where is this mystical static charge going to come from? Once you touch a conductor once, it's gone. Just standing there, working on the PCB, you aren't going to accrue any new charge..

[Atrocities]

Thanks guys. Odd thing, when I opened it up today the key was back in place and working fine. I don't know how, but evidently closing the monitor popped the key back into socket or something. No matter how it happened I am greatfull that it has.

[Suicide Junkie]

Seriously though, where is this mystical static charge going to come from?From that fuzzy sweater you're wearing, when you move your arms.

Strip down for safety! :D

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Clean rooms at least have a physically sound principle behind them, even if they are generally excessive for most of the stuff they get used for..

They work, use em!
They work at giving you a false sense of security, all while lining the pockets of the strap fatcats! Seriously though, where is this mystical static charge going to come from? Once you touch a conductor once, it's gone. Just standing there, working on the PCB, you aren't going to accrue any new charge..
Well, you know, you could be wearing socks and standing on a carpet...

...Which is more of a PEBKAC issue.

[Fyron]

That doesn't build up any charge though. You'd have to be constantly rubbing your socky feet on the carpet. Even if you are walking around on this carpet, you can just touch the case each time you come back to the comp, and get the same effect. All without giving the snake oil industry any money!

[Combat Wombat]

I have never bothered with any kind of static protection when working with computers though I will admit the only laptop I have taken apart was my already broken Dell so they might be more sensitive.

[Fyron]

Laptops are no more or less sensitive to irrationality than desktops.