How to take the keyboard off the gateway mc7801u

SOURCE: Gateway MC7801U laptop with a broken screen

Hello

Removing the palstic bezel is fairly simple. Use a plastic headed didle stick (radio Shack). 1st take out the battery, the harddrive, memory. 2nd Lay the unit screen side flat down but face up. Some versions of this laptop have hidden screws under circular pieces of plastic. The plastic circles are glued on, but can be removed with an Xacto knife. Once screws are removed or you are certain there aren't any then use the flat blade of the diddle stick as a wedge. Wedge it between the front screen plastic bezel and the metal frame of the sceen. If you stick the diddle stick under the plastic bezel surrounding the screen and pry up you'll see the metal frame of the screen. Make sure you keep the diddle stick on that frame. If you slide your diddle stick all around the screen the plastic bezel should now pop off. 3rd Once inside undo the screws holding the screen and unhook all the cables. (On a couple versions of this laptop the cables have to be unplugged from the motherboard only). 4th Now you should have the screen out and in front of you. If possible only manipulae the screen while it's on a towell or anti static mat. At this point you'll see the really hard part. The glass is embedded in the metal frame and sometimes hermetically sealed the the LCD film. I have down hundreds of these displays but I must say that replacing just the glass is very tough. If you continue, make sure you mark all the frame pieces and screws because the screen allows no margin of error. The lamp will have to be removed from the frame. This is a mercury vapor lamp and is very toxic. You'll need to make sure you have diagramed the wire routing for the lamp before you remove it. Don't try to remove the lamp wires, they are welded (not soldered) and break easily. If you've gotten this far then you'll be able to take the glass pieces out from the LCD film. Getting a new piece of glass can be tricky also. It's not the same as what's sold in hardware stores (too thick). I usely use glass that I have salvaged from bad screens. You can try buying the glass online at LCD parts stores. Once you have the new glass you'll nee to mate this with the LCD film. I use a Xerox glass cleaner (doesn't leave traces - no alcohol) I purchase from Katun. Then as I bring the glass and LCD film together I spray anti static spray between them (not enough to wet the glass). This brings glass and film together without finger prints. I have to repeat myself again DO NOT use any kind of alcohol product. The alcohol will either melt or discolor the LCD film. If you've come this far then just start putting everything back together. If the original tape doesne't stick, then substitute clear packaging tape (might have to cut down the width). Good Luck

Testimonial: "Finally, someone who knows first hand what I needed to know. Thanks for your help. I've been searching the InterNet for weeks trying to fix this."