Member Avatar for BertC

I have a friend who needs her Acer Aspire 3680 keyboard replaced. I am an A+ certified technician, but I have not worked on an Acer- only Dell and IBM. Can someone tell me the tricks of removing the old keyboard?

Bert

  • 2 Contributors
  • 2 Replies
  • 110 Views
  • 7 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by BertC

Dani AI

Generated

asked for a practical way to remove and replace the keyboard on an Acer Aspire 3680. Below are safe, tested procedures and tips that fill the usual gaps left by missing service manuals and terse forum replies like ’s.

Start with the basics: remove all power sources (battery and AC). Use a small Phillips (PH0/PH00), a thin plastic spudger, and a shallow parts tray. Work on a clean, well-lit surface and take photos at each step to make reassembly trivial. Expect small plastic clips and a ribbon connector; the tricky part is releasing that connector without damaging the flexible cable.

Typical sequence to follow (keep notes/photos):

  • Unscrew any accessible fasteners on the base and remove rubber feet if needed to expose hidden screws. Keep screws sorted and labeled.
  • Carefully pry the top bezel/palmrest where it meets the display hinge using a plastic tool; do not force metal tools against plastic clips. Work from one corner and release clips incrementally.
  • Lift the keyboard slightly, find the flat ribbon cable to the motherboard, and identify the ZIF-type connector. Open the tiny latch (flip-up or slide type) and gently withdraw the ribbon.
  • Fit the replacement keyboard, insert the ribbon fully, lock the connector, and test power-on before snapping everything back together. If keys respond correctly, finish reassembly.

Additional notes: verify the replacement part number on the underside of the old keyboard or from photos of the new part before buying. Some Aspire models use a keyboard integrated into the top case; in that case, replacing the whole palmrest assembly is easier and safer. Avoid excessive prying, keep ESD precautions in mind, and if any clips or screw posts are broken, secure them with suitable spares rather than forcing reassembly.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for caperjack

just apply you basic knowledge , or search google.com for that model laptop manual,having said that they are hard to find as acer doesn't want you to fix you own ,but they usually come apart by prying up the bezel around the top of the keyboard like the Dell ,and removing some small screws,and maybe a screw or 2 on the back,they usually have a little keyboard symbol by them

Member Avatar for BertC

I'm going to apply my knowledge, however, I have searched the web for two days now. Acer has pulled their service manuals. That's why I asked the question here. Can anyone give me a little help?

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.