Envy DV6-7015CA Keyboard

[TheWaldo]

I just bought a factory refurbished Envy DV6-7015CA laptop.  It came unknowingly with an English/Spanish keyboard.  The language is set to English so it types the correct characters at the right place but I hate the extra key to the left of the Z, the small left shift key and the large return key. I want to replace it with a standard US model keyboard.  I replaced the keyboard in another Envy DV6 last year so I know the procedure.  I just want to know if I can replace it since it uses some software driver to remap the keys and if so, what model keyboard should I get.

I love the computer and have toyed with tearing the old one back apart....it is still functional and in use and replace the keyboard in it with a standard keyboard.  But I hate to tear it apart needlessly if I can just get another keyboard to put in this one.  It does have the backlite and I would prefer to replace it with a backlit version.  Hard to go back when you get use to one.

Also, if I replace it will I need to do anything with drivers to make it default to the English characters?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Keyboard with backlight (includes backlight cable): For use on all computer models in the United States 682081-001

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Keyboard-HP-Pavilion-dv6-7000-dv6-7100-dv6-7200-Series-682081-001-US-/17...

If you install this the OS will just map the keys correctly as you already have the language set to English. 

If not just set the language and input to English:

http://www.howtogeek.com/121169/how-to-change-your-keyboard-layout-in-windows-8/

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[TheWaldo]

This is about what I was thinking.  I shall browse now for a backlite version of this keyboard and go from there. After I finish this process I will update and provide feedback.  Thanks.

[Huffer]

That one should be backlit. It does appear to be an "after-market" and you may want to spend a few more bucks and buy a "genuine". 

[TheWaldo]

I looked at it earlier when you sent the link.  The price is too low for a backlite version and the photo posted of the rear of the keyboard does not show the second cable used for the backlite.  There is the big ribbon cable for the keyboard itself and then a much smaller one just below it for the backlite function.  Usually the backlite version does for about $40 bucks or so.........the one I bought before was a good quality and ran $48 but it is out of stock currently with no in stock date.

Thanks for the info.

[TheWaldo]

The only backlit keyboards with frame for the Envy DV6-7000 series are all in China with some 21 day or so shipping via epacket.  I have the old keyboard....minus four keys or so from my older DV6-7210US that I replaced last year.  The backlite seems to be an extra panel mounted to the bottom of the standard keyboard without backlite. The backlite has its own connector to hook to the laptop.

Is it even conceiveable that the functioning extra panel could be removed from this old keyboard and mounted to the bottom of a new non backlit keyboard to make a homemade version?  It really looks just like two pieces mated together.

If uncertain I can always tear it apart tomorrow and see what gives.  I would be glad to buy a non backlit version I can get in a day or two via Amazon Prime and make it work myself rather than wait 3 weeks for something from China.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have on this.

Thanks.

[Huffer]

I'd have to see it to tell if it is possible to Frankenstein your old backlit and a new non-backlit. I am not that familiar with how the backlight mechanism works. Hard to believe you can't find an original genuine keyboard. If sold under the part number I gave it should be backlit. 

[TheWaldo]

I have found that most of the "sellers" of lots of these items really don't know what they are selling.  It advertises as that part number but when you pull it up the picture and description is something else.  Especially at that price point.  Last year when I looked for one the backlit versions ran about $40 and up for the imports.  The one I settled on was actually $48 but it was highly rated and has been excellent.  I went straight to them but they are out of stock with no date known.

Out of researching and chasing down probably a hundred or so through Amazon I did not find a single backlit version.  Then when I click on the ads at the bottom of the page it takes you to other sites but there they push a backlit that runs around 80-100 for a board that should be about 40 bucks.  I am not going to pay that.

If all else fails, I will just endure this one for a few weeks and go with one of the ebay sellers with the epacket from China and hope I live long enough for it to arrive.  I have only ordered two items before with epacket delivery.  One was okay and the other was defective/broken.  And to get something done with them is nigh impossible.

Thanks for your feedback.

[TheWaldo]

I bit the bullet so to speak and just went ahead and bought one off ebay with the epacket delivery.  I researched until I found the correct part based on the cross reference and actual photos showing the extra cable for the backlite.  It was $28.50 which was reasonable.  So now I wait for delivery and see what gives.

I will update with more info after I receive the part, see if it is correct and get it installed and working.

Thanks again.

P.S.  The modification I mentioned was in error.  When I went to get the old keyboard I had forgotten that my older Envy came with a non-backlite version even though it had the extra cable.  So I had a minor senior moment there.  Sorry for the confusion.  Will update in a few weeks when I have more to post.

[TheWaldo]

OK.  Got the US version backlighted keyboard via the slow boat from China and all is well.  Just removed the battery, the two screws marked as keyboard on the bottom, the single screw holding the DVD drive and then popped the old keyboard out.  Undid the two Z connectors.......one for keyboard, one for the backlight and out she came.  Then got the new keyboard, connector the Z connectors, inserted the bottom and then worked my way around pressing the keyboard in place.  Replaced the DVD drive, the two keyboard screws, the battery and the rear access panel. Then peeled off the mylar protector sheet around the keyboard and fired it up.

I had left the language set to English in settings and all was recognized upon bootup.  The new keyboard has all the right numbers and letters for us folks here in America and all the keys work.

So, for $28.50 and allowing about 3 weeks I have a functioning, backlite, US version keyboard.

If anyone has need the item ID on ebay is 112049894278.

Thanks again to all who gave me pointers.  Your feedback and guidance was very helpful.

On a side note, while I had the keyboard out I also replaced my 1TB WD hard drive with the Sandisk Ultra II  960G SSD.  Even though my Laptop is a i7 quad core the changing of the drive makes it a new beast entirely.

While it is not the fastest in the world, the CPU runs about 8300 on the CPUBenchmark scale with the HD coming in at 750.  It gave me an overall average of 2100 Passmark. Placing me at the 55% percentile.

With the new SSD it bumps the HD from 750 to over 2800.  Which now bumps the passmark from 2100 to almost 2900 and now ranks me at 70%.  Not a bad improvement for just a small amount of money.  

And now my cold boot from power on to the windows sign in screen is like 4 seconds.  Ready to go.

The only real holdback is that this being a four or five year old model does not have the FHD so I am penalized slightly for my video performance even though it has the share intel graphics and built in Geforce 630.

But for my purposes and eyesight the standard HD is more than adequate.  I did have to go back and download the drivers in order to get my nice Beats Audio with quad speakers and the built in sub working.  Seeems that Win 10 still does not have drivers for this since so few of us have it.  When you upgrade from Win 7 or 8 with Beats Audio it just ignores the Beats Audio drivers and replaces them with the standard HP drivers which leaves much to be desired.

Again.......thanks to all.