Replace a Compaq Presario Keyboard

Laptop keyboards are easy to break. A spilled cup of coffee or a single broken key can make any keyboard difficult to use. A laptop keyboard is more likely to break than the keyboard on a desktop computer because laptops are often moved around. The Compaq Presario Keyboard is very inexpensive to replace.

Turn off the Compaq Presario and remove all power sources, including the battery and AC adapter.

Unscrew the two screws that hold the laptop hinge in place. They are located on the back of the laptop, just above the inputs for the peripherals. Open the Compaq Presario display as far back as it will go. Use the flat head screwdriver to pry off the hinge cover from right to left. Be careful, because the hinge cover is still attached to some of wiring on the chassis, including the wire associated with the power button.

Using the Phillips screwdriver, remove the screws that hold the laptop keyboard in place. Put the screws in a safe place, because you will need them again when you put in the replacement Compaq Presario keyboard.

Lift up the laptop keyboard, keeping in mind that it is still attached to the Compaq Presario chassis. The ribbon connector needs to be released from the motherboard. You can do this by lifting the fastener and carefully pulling the ribbon connector away from it. The laptop keyboard is now free, and you can install the replacement keyboard.

Place the ribbon connector of the replacement keyboard into the fastener to secure it to the motherboard. Secure the connection by pushing the fastener down over the end of the ribbon connector. Screw the replacement keyboard to the Compaq Presario chassis using the screws that you removed earlier. When the replacement keyboard is in, put back the hinge cover by snapping it into place left to right. Close the Compaq Presario display and replace the screws you removed from the back of the laptop hinge.