Can I replace my non backlit keyboard with a backlit keyboard? Hp 15p199SA

[Nico1992]

Hello everyone,
I'm new on here and I'm in the process of upgrading my laptop. Ram, ssd etc. I've seen backlit keyboards for sale claiming to be compatible and I am wondering is this a possible upgrade?
Any help is welcome.
Thanks.

[Huffer]

OK here is the Service Manual:

Manual

The keyboards are not sold by HP as a separate part: only sold with the whole top cover. See p. 20

The Manual does not list any keyboard/top cover as having a backlight.

However, the keyboard map on p. 15 shows the f5 action key as activating a backlight on "select models". 

From this I gather that there is a place on the motherboard to connect a backlight cable if the keyboard has one. However, extracting the old keyboard from the top cover and replacing it with just the replacement keyboard is not easy and there are no directions in the Manual for that procedure. I would want to see one of these alleged backlit keyboards.

Bottom line, it is possible, but I would be leery. Do you have an f5 action key with the backlight symbol on it? Have you tried it to see if maybe your keyboard is backlit?

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

[Nico1992]

No the keyboard at the minute isn't backlit. F5 is just a blank key. But some of the special edition versions have backlit. I understand the top of the laptop case is one piece which includes the keyboard and mouse which can both be removed. Is there any way of telling if the motherboard supports backlit keyboards? Is the backlit function a separate cable or part of the keyboard ribbon?
Thanks

[Huffer]

The backlight will be on a separate thin ribbon cable. The only way to be sure there is a "header" for the backlight cable is to open the laptop and look at the motherboard. The header will generally be right next to the larger headers for the keyboard ribbon cable and the pointing device.  

On some models the motherboards that support backlit keyboards are labeled as such in the Manual. In this manual the motherboard descriptions do not mention a backlit keyboard.

I am thinking that the backlight is only offered on certain premium models and your motherboard likely has no backlight header.  

[Nico1992]

Thanks that's a great help. I'm opening the laptop tomorrow morning to upgrade ram and harddrive anyway so ill check it and post the results. Thanks again for the help.