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In this guide I will remove and replace defective keyboard in a Gateway M-Series notebook. In my case the notebook model is: M-6846 but this guide will work for all other Gateway M-Series notebooks. If my guide works for you, please mention the notebook model number in comments below.
STEP 1.
Turn off the notebook, remove the battery.
Remove one keyboard securing screw on the bottom.
STEP 2.
Carefully lift up one side of the speaker cover with a small flat head screwdriver.
STEP 3.
Continue removing the speaker cover with your fingers.
Be careful, there will be a cable connecting the LED board and motherboard under the cover.
STEP 4.
Remove two screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 5.
Lift up the keyboard and remove it from the laptop base.
STEP 6.
Now you can access the keyboard cable connector on the motherboard.
You’ll have to unlock the connector before disconnecting the cable and removing the keyboard.
In order to unlock the keyboard connector carefully move the locking clip about 2 millimeters to the direction shown by two arrows.
On the picture below you can see connector in the unlocked state.
STEP 7.
Now you can pull the cable from the connector and remove the keyboard.
Replace keyboard with a new one.
You can find a new keyboard for your Gateway M-Series notebook using the keyboard part number from the sticker.
In my case the part number is: AESA6U00020. Search for a new keyboard here.
In the previous guide I explain how to replace the broken screen in the same Gateway M-Series notebook.
October 30th, 2009 at 2:39 am
after replacing my keyboard, non of the keys is working. help lpiz.
October 30th, 2009 at 7:07 am
kiki,
Most likely the keyboard cable is not plugged correctly into the connector on the motherboard.
Unlock the connector and reseat the cable. Make sure it’s seated properly.
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
If you remove your laptop’s keyboard can you use a usb keyboard instead?
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Cenk Uygur,
Yes, you should be able to use an external USB keyboard when the internal keyboard is disconnected from the motherboard.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Thanks for the prompt reply. I would like to use my laptop with a usb keyboard while I wait for my replacement keyboard to arrive. Is it safe to use the laptop with motherboard exposed?
November 4th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Cenk Uygur,
It depends. If you are careful you can. I do it all the time when I have to test laptops.
Just don’t touch anything.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
i know this is about the keyboard, but my screen broke, i replaced it. the backlight no longer works. so i have it connected to my tv. what buttons do i press to change it from lcd display to the tv display? something like fn + f5? it is an acer extensa. if you have no idea i understand completely.. but im lost. thanks much!
November 7th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
oh and uhm. i cant see the screen. haha. thank you captain obvious i know. but yeah.. thanks
November 7th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Nick,
I think it’s Fn+F5 for Acer laptops. Press on the Fn key and at the same time press on the F5 key. You might need to press on the F5 a few times until it switches from the laptop to TV.
Also, make sure the TV is set correctly and ready for the signal from your laptop.
By the way, I have another post for Gateway M-series for replacing the LCD screen. Check it out: http://www.insidemylaptop.com/replace-broken-lcd-screen-gateway-m-series-laptop/
December 7th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Gateway M-68xx notebook – has the screw labeled “K” mentioned in Step 1 *AND* a screw under the battery (mine is marked “M2.5×3″) which secures the keyboard/speaker cover.
This is not mentioned here:
http://support.gateway.com/s/Manuals/Mobile/8512949.pdf
and I about snapped the thing off before I thought to flip it over and look to see “what the heck is holding this thing on?”
Also, instead of screws, there are only pegs holding the keyboard in place underneath the cover…
December 21st, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I have a gateway m 6846 laptop and my keyboard keys are not working properly. They don’t correspond to the key that I press. Is there a way to rest the keys or is it much worst and I have to replace the hole keyboard with a new one?
December 21st, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Matt,
Do you have this problem with some particular keys or all of them do not work properly?
January 1st, 2010 at 5:53 pm
I have a m6846 and my keyboard keys are ok, it’s the left key on my touch pad that has stopped working. Pressing on it does nothing other than make a clicking sound. Do you know of a reference for how to troubleshoot and correct that problem? Thank you.
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Andi,
I cannot tell what’s going on without disassembling the laptop. It’s necessary to remove the top cover and take a look at the button and left key.
January 8th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Thank you. It appears that the left mouse button when pressed engages another button underneath that is broken. It is part of the motherboard and I am told I would have to replace the motherboard to fix it.
January 8th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Andi,
This is correct. There are small switches underneath plastic mouse buttons. When you press on the left or right button, you actually engage switches underneath.
These buttons-switches are soldered directly to the motherboard. If one of the switches fails, you’ll have to replace it with a new one or replace the entire motherboard.
It’s possible that there is nothing wrong with the left but the plastic button-cover is broken. It’s necessary to disassemble the laptop and take a look at the left button from the bottom side.
January 17th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
My M-Series (M-6888U) has a differnt speaker cover. It has one additional screw holding the cover in place. It is located in the lower left area of the battery compartment with M2.5×3 (screw size) embossed in the plastic. This must be removed to release the speaker cover.
Another difference is my keyboard was only held in place by the one bottom screw. The screws shown in step 5 did not exist. This is probably due to the speaker cover being different in design (has an additional volume button & indicator lights).
Thanks so much for all your instructions. This was my first attempt fixing a laptop (Coke is not the best drink for laptops
.
April 13th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I just used these instructions to change the keyboard on a M-7317U model and it went perfectly. The screw on the back was the thing I didn’t know about.
Thanks a ton.
=)
Dagan Ray
May 3rd, 2010 at 6:55 am
I just did a keyboard replacement for a Gateway MX-6550. Very similar to your instructions, but there is a MAJOR difference! The bezel along the top of the keyboard is held onto the case by two screws on the back of the case. Specifically..if the laptop was sitting as it would be used, I call the back the approx. 1″ area where the hinges are located (not the underside). One screw on each side near the hinge screws holds the bezel’s covers that go over the hinges. I hope I’m explaining that correctly. Pry off cover AFTER removing screws or you’ll break the bezel!
May 3rd, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Yallaen,
I guess your Gateway MX-series is different than Gateway M-series.
Take a look at this keyboard replacement guide for a Gateway MX-7000 series (page 42 in the manual). Is it similar to your laptop?
May 11th, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Hi,
I have M-6827 series. When I boot up the laptop, it said I have to enter the HDD PASSWORD. which I did not, or intentionally, put in. So I do not remember what the password is. Is there a master password or the CMOS battery in this series to reset the BIOS, please? I tried to disassemble the laptop, but I do not know how. I appreciate the know how on this matter.
Thank you,
May 16th, 2010 at 9:53 am
Duke,
The hard drive password cannot be removed. If you forgot the password, you’ll have to replace the hard drive with a new one.
Also, you cannot access data on that drive.
May 17th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
i have a m7 series gateway laptop here had water spilled on it and still works but right side of screen looks it it has 7 screens on it just want to know how to take the laptop apart and do i need to clean anything after it is apart need help with this it happend last year at end of september just turned it back on and still samething with screen thank you
May 17th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
David Genderes,
How about video on the external monitor? Does it also have 7 screens on the right side?
May 29th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I have a Gateway M-Series and my trackpad/mouse dont work
… Can you explain how to disassembly it?
(Sorry, I don´t speak english)
June 17th, 2010 at 11:39 am
Has anyone tried this with the m-6750 series so I dont go trying to take it apart and need to do something a lil different….
July 6th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I have a Gateway T series laptop… The keyboard looks JUST like yours… DO you think it would be the same? I dropped something on my laptop & messed up the keys… I’d like to try & fix it before spending hundreds… Hellllpp! THxx!!
)
July 10th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Ceci,
Just remove the keyboard and search for the part number on the sticker. Google the part number and find the replacement. Or search for a new replacement keyboard here.
August 17th, 2010 at 1:11 am
I have a laptop NV5813 and the power button doesn’t work at all. Do you have any idea about how to fix that and how to open the laptop.
Thanks
September 8th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Hello
My pause break key popped off of my keyboard of my gateway m-series. I’ve tried placing it back for hours but i cant get it. there were two plastic pieces under the key when it came off. I still have them but how do i place them back?
September 8th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
aerial1234,
Read this: http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2007/03/20/key-fell-off-keyboard/
November 12th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
this worked for my wife’s Gateway M-6843 laptop
February 7th, 2011 at 5:57 pm
This worked on my Gateway M-7315U. The instructions were great. I would have had problems doing this myself. Thank you very much.
February 25th, 2011 at 9:41 am
So if I do in fact “snap” that black cord that transmits info from the LED board to the motherboard, is there any way to put it back in its place to make the top panel work again? I had a hard time taking the top panel off and in an act of frustration pulled too hard and snapped the cord out. I don’t know where it goes.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:44 am
Dylan H,
Just remove the keyboard and plug the cable back into the connector.
March 20th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
hey i was wondering i have a m-7356u labtop my keyboard is starting to fail i cant find a replacement where can i buy a replacement. do i need to remove the keyboard and fine the part number?
April 23rd, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Hey i was wondering i have a m 6750 and when i look on the back there is not wifi cover so i cant find those 2 screws instead i see one screw that says K what should i do and i spilled water on my laptop should i replace the keyboard or should it work
June 16th, 2011 at 6:10 pm
I have an M-1631U. My keyboard is fine, but one of my speakers no longer works.
I’m interested if you could guide me through checking the connection to it? One speaker still works, but I “jostled” the computer one time and the other speaker started going in and out, and now it doesn’t work at all.
Either it’s broken (I hope not), or I just need to tighten whatever has become loose. Could you email me? Thanks!
June 24th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Ok, it worked with the M-1631U. Though I’d stress two things; 1) The “LED” strip’s brushed metal bends quite easily. 2) Putting the cable back into the connector for the keyboard is HARD!
July 8th, 2011 at 6:48 pm
These instuctions worked for the Gateway m-7305 also.
Thanks, Jim
November 2nd, 2011 at 11:41 am
Thank you for the directions. I just replaced my M-Seies M-151S keyboard. It took 15 mins tops!
December 14th, 2011 at 3:52 pm
How can I replace the left click mouse button?
December 14th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
@ Sam,
Is it loose or broken plastic? What’s wrong?
Both buttons are part of the top cover assembly. If one of them is broken, you’ll have to replace the top cover.
December 20th, 2011 at 6:43 pm
The left button is loose but still works can I remove the touch pad and replace the plastic button? it’s a M-7315U ,if not do you have one and if so how much is it?
December 20th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I forgot to add how much is the top cover? The left button slide over to the left side and locks up under the cover. Then I haveto pry it back out.
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:52 pm
@ Sam,
Most likely this button is part of the top cover assembly. I think you’ll have to replace the top cover.
February 11th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Hey i’m having problems with my gateway notebook M series 1618 how can i replace the graphics card please
February 14th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
@ yuri Quintero,
No, you cannot. This laptop has onboard video – the video card integrated into the motherboard.