MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement

Written By: Spencer Pennington

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the keyboard in your MNT Pocket Reform laptop.

If your keyboard is not communicating with the system controller or laptop, or if some keys don't work, you may need to replace the keyboard. You can find specs to make your own motherboard on MNT's documentation page.

Tools

Step 1

If you've installed an operating system, follow the appropriate steps to safely shut down the laptop.
If you've not yet installed an operating system, or the laptop is not responsive, you can shut it down with these steps:
Turn on the OLED screen by pressing the Hyper key (diagonal arrow) and Enter at the same time.
Use the arrow keys to select Power Off on the OLED screen.
Press Enter to shut down the laptop.
Disconnect all cables from the laptop.

Step 2

Use a small tool, like a SIM eject tool or a bent paperclip, to turn off the standby power switch by sliding the switch away from the headset jack.
The standby power switch is located in a small recess on the same side as the headset jack.

Step 3

Place the laptop on your work surface so the bottom cover, with the regulatory info box, is facing up.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the six 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the bottom cover.

Step 4

The bottom cover is made of printed circuit board (PCB) material. Press gently but firmly near an edge when applying the suction handle to avoid breaking the cover.
Apply a suction handle to the bottom cover.
Use the suction handle to lift the bottom cover off of the laptop.
Alternatively, you can use a thin prying tool to lift the cover, or tilt the laptop until the cover falls out.
During reassembly, place the bottom cover on the laptop so the info box is opposite the hinges.

Step 5

Be careful not to damage the lithium-polymer batteries when working around them with metal tools. If the batteries are damaged or deformed in any way, take appropriate precautions.
Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the batteries' sliding connectors from the charger board.

Step 6

Lift the batteries out of the frame.
During reassembly, install the batteries so the foam stickers face up, the sides of the batteries with wires are towards the hinges, and the wires run towards the middle of the laptop.

Step 7

Place the bottom cover on the laptop.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the bottom cover with the six 4.8 mm‑long screws.

Step 8

Flip the laptop so the top cover with the MNT logo is facing up.
Open the laptop so the screws securing the keyboard bezel are easily accessible.

Step 9

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the keyboard bezel.

Step 10

Insert a spudger or your finger into the gap between a hinge and the display bezel.
Pry up the display bezel until you can grab it with your fingers.

Step 11

There are four strong magnets under the keyboard bezel at the bottom of the frame. These can stay in place during the repair, but you can remove them to avoid losing them.
Lift and remove the keyboard bezel.
During reassembly:
If you removed the magnets, make sure they are installed so they attract the magnets under the display bezel.
Make sure the side of the keyboard bezel with countersunk (conically shaped) screw wells is facing up.

Step 12

Remove the trackball from its housing and place it somewhere where it won't roll away.

Step 13

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 5.0 mm‑long screws securing the OLED screen.
Note that these are round-top "cheesehead" screws instead of the flat-topped countersunk screws used everywhere else. Make sure to use the correct screws during reassembly.

Step 14

There is still a ribbon cable under the OLED screen. Do not attempt to completely remove the screen yet.
Lift the OLED screen and rotate it so you can access the ribbon cable underneath it.

Step 15

Use a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the locking flap of the OLED screen cable ZIF connector on the keyboard.

Step 16

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the pull tab on the ribbon cable and pull it out of the connector.

Step 17

Use a pair of angled tweezers to disconnect both sliding connectors along the top edge of the keyboard.

Step 18

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the keyboard.

Step 19

Lift and remove the keyboard.

Step 20

If your replacement keyboard includes a trackball board, you can skip the next three steps and proceed with reassembly.
Lay the keyboard on your work surface so the back is facing up.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the trackball board.