Is it possible to install backlight for the keyboard?

[hoangthong_vo]

Hp dv7-4296nr can upgrade keyboard by install backlight? Because I often work in the night so it is very useful for me, but the current keyboard didn't has a backlight, and I don't want to use a external light connect through USB port because it very inconvenient.

[HaggisCat]

This is the only thing I could find. It's a US keyboard so it may not be right for you.

 http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-HP-DV7-4000-US-Backlit-Keyboard-Black-9Z-N4DBQ-101-/140518886700?pt=AU_L...

 Nothing was listed in your service manual.

 http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c02666747.pdf

 Even if you bought the one from e-bay, there may not be the connection on the mother board for the backlight cable. The only way to find out is to partially disassemble the laptop.

[hoangthong_vo]

I don't know how to disassemble the laptop, do you ever done in this dv7?

[HaggisCat · Accepted solution]

http://h20574.www2.hp.com/default.htm?lang=en&cc=US&hpappid=psml

 Navigate to your model as seen in the screen shot.

 

 When you get to the video section click on "Keyboard" in the left column, yours is very easy.

 Make sure you're signed in before clicking on the video link.

 If the link or the video does not work, let me know and I will post a bunch of screen shots.

 At this point you do not have to remove the actual ribbon cable for the keyboard from the motherboard. All we are doing here is to determine if there is a connection on the MoBo for the backlight cable.

 Look at the photos of the backlit keyboard from ebay, the connection on the motherboard will coincide with the end of the cable from the keyboard. Note that the cable for the backlights is a separate cable and is quite small when compared to the main keyboard cable.

 If there is a cable and when it comes time to unlock the ZIF connector to remove the keyboard, be very careful not to damage that connector.

 The video makes this quite clear and if you follow its instructions you will have no problem, nothing has to be forced. Make sure and have the main keyboard cable properly aligned before locking down the ZIF connector tab.

 If the ZIF connector is damaged to the point where the cable will not lock down, it condemns the whole motherboard.

 If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, then a repair shop can do it for you. The procedure is very quick so it should not cost too much, it will only take them a couple of minutes to inspect the MoBo to make sure the connector is there.

 You also may want to find out if the seller has a return policy, just in case.

______________________________________________________________________________________

 I had a look around and I found a photo of your motherboard where the backlight cable connection should be. The screen shot shows where it should be, boxed in red. If there is no connection here, then you're out of luck.

 The connection will look similar to the touch pad connection just below it.

 

[hoangthong_vo]

Thanks. But I think in Ebay, the seller said backlit keyboard for dv7-4000, so it's mean my notebook could have a connector for the backlight? Does all the dv7-4xxx has a connector for backlight, doesn't it?

[HaggisCat]

There is no way of knowing for sure with out actually checking, here is the link to the the Video Media Services Library again.

 http://h20574.www2.hp.com/default.htm?lang=en&cc=US&hpappid=psml

 Here is the screen shot on how to get to your model. Ounce in their navigate to "Keyboard" in the left column. Yours is really easy to remove, you don't even have to unplug the cable to see if there is a spot to insert the backlight cable. (if you can't see the screen shot hold down the ctrl button while tapping the + button, this will make things bigger) Also give the video's in the library time to load and make sure you are signed into the forums before clicking on the link.

 

 The empty spot in red in the screen shot below shows where the connector should be. The screen shot is from the actual video mentioned above for the dv7-4000 series and as you can see there is no place to plug it in.

 

  The big wide cable to the left is for the actual keyboard (you can leave that in just to check) and the smaller cable below is for the touch pad. The plug on the motherboard for the backlight will be very similar to the touchpad plug.

[hoangthong_vo]

So it hopeless?:(

Or I can connect to other source?

[HaggisCat]

No it's not hopeless, follow my instructions in post "6" to remove your keyboard to see if the connection is there on your motherboard.

 Just because the screen shot of the video does not show it, doesn't mean to say it's not present on yours.

 Watch the video...

 If your not comfortable partially disassembling your machine, is there some one that can do it for you. All you need is a small philips screw driver. Make sure and remove the battery and unplug the adpater first.

[hoangthong_vo]

Well, if I remove the keyboard, I will not lost my warranty?

[HaggisCat]

Yes, you will loose you warrantee, but if you install the backlit keyboard you will void it anyway unless you get an authorized HP service center to do it for you.

 Wait don't you wait until the warrantee runs out.