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MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement

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  1. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement, Battery: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use your fingers to push both battery release tabs away from the battery, and lift the battery out of the computer.

  2. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement, RAM Shield: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the three identical Phillips screws from the memory door.

  3. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the memory door up enough to get a grip on it, and slide it toward you, pulling it away from the casing.

  4. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement, Upper Case: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the two 2.8 mm Phillips screws in the battery compartment near the latch.

  5. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the following 6 screws:

    • Two 10 mm T6 Torx screws on either side of the RAM slot.

    • Four 14.5 mm Phillips screws along the hinge.

  6. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws on the port side of the computer.

  7. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees and remove the two 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the rear of the computer.

  8. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Rotate the computer 90 degrees again and remove the four 3.2 mm Phillips screws from the side of the computer.

  9. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Do not yank the upper case off quickly. The case is attached to the logic board via a ribbon cable.

    • Lift up at the rear of the case and work your fingers along the sides, freeing the case as you go. Once you have freed the sides, you may need to rock the case up and down to free the front of the upper case (there are some hidden plastic clips that need to be clicked off).

  10. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Disconnect the trackpad and keyboard ribbon cable from the logic board, removing tape as necessary.

    • Remove the upper case.

  11. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use a spudger to pry up the translucent plastic sheath covering the keyboard connector.

  12. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the black plastic flaps locking down the keyboard and keyboard backlight ribbon cables.

  13. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Slide the orange keyboard backlight ribbon out of its connector.

  14. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Peel up the orange tape covering the keyboard backlight connector.

  15. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the brown plastic flap locking down the keyboard backlight ribbon cable.

  16. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use a spudger or your finger to slide the keyboard backlight ribbon out of its connector.

  17. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Carefully peel up the orange ribbon cable which carries the power and sleep signals, removing tape as necessary.

  18. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:018crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Peel back the black protective sheath on the right side of the upper case. It is not necessary to fully remove this shield. Simply peel it back enough to access the screws beneath.

  19. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:019crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Peel back the black protective sheath on the left side of the upper case. It is not necessary to fully remove this shield. Simply peel it back enough to access the screws beneath.

  20. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:020crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the ten identical Phillips screws attaching the keyboard to the casing.

  21. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:021crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • There are four locking tabs along the back edge of the keyboard holding it in place. These tabs must be straightened before you can remove the keyboard.

  22. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:022crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • The first frame shows a tab in the "locked" position and the second frame shows the same tab in the "unlocked" position.

    • Use needlenose pliers or a spudger to bend each of the four tabs so that they are all in the "unlocked" position.

  23. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:023crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Slide the keyboard ribbon out of its connector.

    • If the keyboard ribbon won't slide out, make sure that the black plastic flap holding the ribbon in place is vertical.

  24. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:024crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Place the upper casing on its edge and use a spudger to push the keyboard away from the casing, poking the spudger through the central keyboard screw hole. Grasp the keyboard as it separates from the casing.

  25. MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Model A1211 Keyboard Replacement: crwdns2935265:025crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Maintaining your hold on the keyboard, lay the casing flat and gently bow the keyboard until the two tabs on either side of the keyboard come free.

    • Slide the keyboard away from the trackpad and out of the upper case.

    • When reversing the steps and installing the new keyboard, be sure to carefully insert the keyboard ribbon and the keyboard backlight ribbon into their respective slots in the upper case before reinserting the tabs on either side of the keyboard.

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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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iRobot

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The replacement keyboard I bought, although advertised for A1211 had no tabs on the sides and 6 locking across the top. The extra locking tabs in the corners made the corners of the keyboard bubble up. If someone wanted to saw bits of the top cover it might work. I ended up breaking of the 2 extra locking tabs, and holding the corners down with double-sided tape. I had to triple up the double sided tape in 1 on the two corners to hold down all the layers. Not a great solution, but it actually worked and looked clean, and the keyboard lights still worked fine afterwards.

Shane - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

As to this ENTIRE guide I have to say - BRAVO - thorough, detailed, complete. Made this keyboard replacement fast, and totaly NON-confusing! Yay!

re: tiny backlight cable - it IS possible to (gently) thread it through it's designated opening after the keyboard has been seated, but you must do that BEFORE you screw it down. I found it easy by using a spudger to lift the tiny connector end through its opening while gently pushing on the keyboard from below (the side where you will screw it in.

gnome - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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