Gateway M685 Keyboard Installation Instructions

Note: Before beginning, review electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions.

You will need a small Phillips screwdriver, a small flat-blade screwdriver, and a piece of soft cloth to replace the keyboard.

Removing the keyboard

1. Turn off your notebook.
2. Disconnect your notebook from the optional port replicator.
3. If you do not use a port replicator, disconnect the AC adapter, modem cable, and network cable from your notebook.
4. Disconnect all peripheral devices from your notebook and remove any PC Cards.
5. Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up, then remove the battery.
6. Turn your notebook over so the top is facing up.
7. With a small Phillips screwdriver, remove the four hinge cover screws and put them in a safe place.

8. Insert the small flat-blade screwdriver under the bottom of each hinge cover and gently pry it up.

9. Carefully open the LCD panel to the fully opened position.
10. Insert the small flat-blade screwdriver under the right end of the keyboard cover and gently pry it up.

Important: Inserting a piece of cloth between the screwdriver and keyboard will help prevent damage to your notebook.


11. Pull the cover off your notebook. Be careful to not damage the LCD panel.

12. With a small Phillips screwdriver, remove the three keyboard screws and put them in a safe place.

13. Lift the back edge of the keyboard slightly, then slowly slide it toward the LCD panel to release the keyboard retaining tabs located on the front of the keyboard.

14. Lay the piece of soft cloth on your LCD panel, then slide the keyboard away from you so it lies on top of the cloth.
15. Slide the black keyboard connector clip to the back of your notebook, then remove the cable. Be careful not to touch or damage any other components.

To install the keyboard

1. Place the new keyboard keys-up on your notebook with the space bar toward you.
2. Make sure the black keyboard connector clip is fully moved toward the back of your notebook, insert the cable into the connector, then slide the black clip to lock the connector in place.
3. Insert the tabs on the front edge of the keyboard into the slot under the palm rest. It may be necessary to press down on the keyboard keys along the front edge of the keyboard to seat the retaining tabs into their corresponding slots.

4. Gently press the keyboard down until it is flat all the way across. The keyboard should easily fall into place. Be careful not to damage the LCD panel.
5. Replace the three keyboard screws.
6. Replace the keyboard cover. Press down on the cover in several places until it clicks in place. The cover is correctly mounted when you can run you finger along the cover and find no loose spots. The cover should be flat all the way across.
7. Close the LCD panel, then replace the four hinge cover screws.
8. Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up.
9. Insert the battery, then turn your notebook over.
10. Reattach the optional port replicator.
11. If you do not use a port replicator, connect the power adapter, the modem cable, and the network cable to your notebook.

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