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In this guide I explain how to remove and replace keyboard on Compaq Presario CQ61 or HP G61 laptops.
Compaq Presario CQ61 is similar to HP G61. I’m not sure why HP sells this laptop under two different names.
Before you start, make sure the laptop is turned off and battery removed.
STEP 1.
Loosen five screw securing the hard drive/memory and wireless card cover.
Lift up and remove both covers.
STEP 2.
Remove five screws securing keyboard.
By the way, under those two covers you’ll find the following laptop components: wireless card, CMOS battery, modem, both memory modules and hard drive.
STEP 3.
Carefully lift up one corner of the keyboard with a sharp object.
STEP 4.
Continue removing the keyboard with your fingers.
Be careful, the keyboard still connected to the motherboard via flat ribbon cable.
STEP 5.
Slide the keyboard towards the LCD screen so you can access the cable connector.
Before you can remove the keyboard, you’ll have to unlock the connector and release the cable.
STEP 6.
The keyboard connector opens up as a door hinge.
On the following picture the connector shown in the locked position.
Lift up the right side of the brown tab so it opens at a 90 degree angle.
STEP 7.
On the following picture the connector shown in the unlocked position.
Now you can pull the keyboard cable from the connector.
STEP 8.
Finally, remove and replace the keyboard with a new one.
You can search for a new replacement keyboard using HP part number from the keyboard sticker.
In my case the part number is 517865-001.
New replacement keyboards for Compaq Presario CQ61 and HP G61 laptops available here.
April 19th, 2013 at 1:38 am
key board will not sit flat but works how do i get it to sit all the way down
April 18th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Fantastic guide – thanks!
January 31st, 2013 at 8:06 am
With these instructions you’ll be done before you know it. Top notch. Thanks alot.
January 10th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Thank you !
December 16th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Thanks. Perfect. Fixed my niece’s laptop. Wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise. The screwhead under the wireless unit door isn’t marked so there’s no way to know about it otherwise.
October 29th, 2012 at 10:55 am
Excellent instructions – worked like a charm. Thank you.
October 18th, 2012 at 8:40 am
Beautiful instructions – thanks. Question: must the HP replacement part number be matched exactly or could your part number, 517865-001, be purchased and used successfully?
July 11th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Great instructions on changing out the keyboard. Everything was easy, went well, and I made a donation.
THANKS!
May 14th, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Just wanted to say this was my second time replacing my wife’s keyboard and it was even easier than the first.
Thanks again for the great instructions . Some people may get nervous with the ribbon but it’s easy breezy , don’t sweat it.
Small donation made
May 10th, 2012 at 11:53 am
Thanks very much for your help, so many of the other sites seemed to be talking about a totally different laptop!
Token donation made, sorry I couldn’t afford more!