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In this guide I explain how to remove the keyboard and replace the launch board (aka button board) in a Lenovo 3000 laptop. As an example I took a Lenovo 3000 v200 laptop but I believe the disassembly steps will be the same or very similar for all models in the 3000 line. If my instructions work for you please mention the laptop model in the comments below.
The launch board is a board with the power and volume control buttons located under the keyboard bezel. I’m replacing the launch board because one of the volume control buttons got stuck in the pressed position and because of that the volume is set to maximum all the time. When I try turning it down, the volume slider goes up by itself. Cleaning the button with alcohol and contact cleaner didn’t help and I decided to replace the board.
Are you looking for a new keyboard for your Lenovo 3000 laptop? Get it here for less than $20.
LAPTOP DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS.
First of all, turn off the laptop, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery.
STEP 1.
Insert a small flat head screwdriver between the keyboard bezel and laptop base. Carefully lift up one side of the keyboard bezel.
Continue removing the keyboard bezel with your fingers.
STEP 2.
The launch board is located above the keyboard. In order to release the launch board cable we’ll have to remove the keyboard first.
Remove one screw securing the keyboard.
Lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below.
Turn the keyboard upside down and place it on the palm rest.
The keyboard is still connected to the motherboard. If you are replacing only the launch board, it’s not necessary to disconnect the keyboard from the motherboard.
If you decide to remove the keyboard, you’ll have to unlock the connector first. On the picture below you can see the keyboard cable connector in the unlocked position.
After the connector is unlocked you can release the cable and remove the keyboard.
STEP 3.
Remove two screws securing the launch board. Disconnect the launch board cable from the motherboard.
Lift up and remove the launch board.
Transfer the flat ribbon cable to the new launch board and install it back into the laptop.
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August 7th, 2009 at 10:50 am
same method for the lenovo 3000 N200.
Thanks for the guide
August 17th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Almost the same for 3000 N100 – launch board cover needs to be removed starting at the right, cover is wider, going up to and including the gray screen hinge covers, and there are 2 screws on the top of the keyboard – I only replaced the keyboard, but the launch board looked almost exactly the same pre-removal. Thanks for the info!
August 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
My experience with my 3000 n100 was similar to Mr. Davis’, except that on my keyboard connector, there did not seem to be the locked/unlocked issue. My keyboard connector was white and anchored down with two metal pieces that I could not dislodge and was afraid to try to force. I just pulled — GENTLY — on the ribbon and it easily slid out. I merely paid attention to which side was ‘up’ when I took it out and inserted the replacement in the same direction (stiff piece of extra plastic facing down). I, too, only replaced my keyboard and the only other thing I’ll mention — which admittedly is a bit off topic — is that my keyboard (purchased off ebay from Hong Kong at a cost of $7 + shipping of about that) while it was listed as being for this model 3000, and is identical in most respects, has perversely moved around the function keys so that I’m now sort of confused as to how to reassign them (if that’s even possible). So if you’re a novice do-it-yourselfer make sure you get a good image of the keyboard replacement including the orange function keys (if you use those and they’re important to you). Otherwise, thanks to this site I’m up and running again and have all new keys. Thanks so much!!!
August 31st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
On a 3000 n100, I noticed it was easier to pry up the launchboard by “popping” the tabs on the sides of the launchpad with a small screwdriver.
My keyboard had 2 screws holding it down. The one that’s circled in the image above and one just above the ESC key.
I also found locking tabs on the white keyboard connector. They were black and on each side of the connector.
Thanks for posting this!
September 28th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Almost Same for my Lenovo Y410. Except It has 2 keypad holders. Unscrew and install keyboard same as you explained.
Thanks for the post
December 25th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Great step by step instructions. I removed the keyboard only in my Lenovo 3000 N100. The ribbon connector unlocked just as you illustrated as did everything else.Thank you.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Thanks Pal,
The 5 and 6 key quit working on the Lenovo three days out of warrenty. The IBM service people gave an estimate of $300.00 to repair. After reviewing your post I pulled the keyboard in 5 minutes, found a new one on Amazon for 22 bucks and ordered it.
Thanks again,
Doug
January 20th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
I just replaced the keyboard for my Lenovo 3000 N200 0769 laptop using the part #42T3338, an exact replacement for the original, several of whose keys had quit working after 2 years of heavy daily use. This part # has 2 screws holding it down, one where illustrated & the other above the F1 key. In addition, an official Lenovo 3000 service video shows 2 screws accessible only from the battery compartment that are supposed to be removed before the keyboard is removed. I don’t know what they connect to, but I removed them also.
The key difference was the keyboard’s ribbon cable connector, very different from what is illustrated in Step 2. My keyboard ribbon cable actually was attached from above, not below as illustrated here. There were 2 separate latch pins on either side of the ribbon connector, each about 3 mm high and 1 to 3 mm wide. Each latch pin has to be moved up about 1.5 mm to release the ribbon cable. If not fully moved up, the ribbon cable is still partly clamped in position. It would be easy to damage or destroy the latch mechanism if you are too rough. High magnification and bright lighting are important so you know what you are doing.
To reassemble, put the ribbon cable into the connector’s slot as far as it will go, hold in place while very gently pushing each latch pin back down into locking position.