Toshiba Laptop Key replacement

chateauneufdupape

My daughter has broken the "A" key on her virtually brand new laptop. I don't have insurance on the laptop and I can't see that it would be repaired under warranty. I have looked at the Toshiba authorised repair shops and they seem to charge a basic fee of about £90 + £26 p&p plus parts. For what would seem a fairly straightforward repair this seems excessive. I don't wish to invalidate my warranty so am cautious, but would a more local laptop repair shop be able to do the repair more cheaply without invalidating the warranty?

The model is a Satellite U500-11G and I live in Cheshire.

996ducati

Maybe worth a look on ebay? Something like these?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Replacement-Keys-for-Toshiba-Satellite-Laptop-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ350250206280QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice?hash=item518c8a0448

I've had to replace broken keys on an old Dell laptop and they sort of push in.

Now the key is broken you will be able to see how a replacement key pushes back in?

Regards

chateauneufdupape

When I lift the key there are two white interlocking plastic bits underneath. Nothing seems to be broken though. One piece has two lugs on it which I think might need to be underneath the other piece. I don't want to try and force this back in just in case I am wrong.

996ducati

They do just push onto the clips...

chateauneufdupape

My earlier comment about the lugs was not correct. I have found this site, which shows the principle, but the Toshiba is not identical, but is very similar. I am having a go, but am a bit hesitant.

John_Gray

chateauneufdupape wrote: »

My daughter has broken the "A" key on her virtually brand new laptop. [...] I have looked at the Toshiba authorised repair shops and they seem to charge a basic fee of about £90 + £26 p&p plus parts.

Have you tried talking to one or more of them, and asked how much a new A keycap would cost? Shouldn't be more than a quid or two (plus the usual £4.99 P&P!)...

chateauneufdupape

I decided to take the laptop to a local computer shop. Nothing was broken but it took them about 30mins to get it to clip back on. They charged me £20, which I was happy to pay as I got the machine back straight away. Thanks all for the advice.