Pavilion backlit keyboard replacement option?

[gkline]

I have an HP Pavilion 15-ab010nr.  The maintenance & service manual indicates that this laptop came with an option for a backlit keyboard.  The part number for it is 809032-001, while the non backlit part number is 809031-001.  Is the connector the same where a backlit keyboard could be inserted and function?  Or are the connectors different?  Thanks for your help.

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

 @gkline

A backlit kbd has an extra cable for the lights. Since it lists as option for your model your motherboard has the connection port  for it.

[gkline]

@CherylG

Thank you for your advice!  It makes sense to me that HP wouldn't bother with the expense of manufacturing two motherboards, one for backlit keyboard support and one without.  And it sounds like you are confirming this.  So if I purchase the backlit keyboard, I should be able to plug it right into the motherboard for backlit operation, correct?  And if by some chance there isn't a port available or there is but doesn't light up, it should still function normally?

[CherylG]

Yes, it should function fine. 

[gkline]

I was able to replace the keyboard, but it was a bit of a nightmare.  Why?  Because HP cut corners with this model and used plastic rivets to secure the keyboard.  It's also buried under 3 PCB's including the motherboard, and is also shielded with a metal support bracket that covers almost the entire area of the top panel.  The entire bottom portion of the notebook needs to be completely disassembled.

I accomplished it, though.  Here's my post about it:  LINK.

By the way, it worked -- my keyboard is now back lit!  I'm very happy with it now.  Plus, I got rid of that terrible original matte black keyboard.

[gkline]

Thank you for the kudos, Cheryl!  

[CherylG]

You're very welcome. Kudos for your perseverance-and your Signature file.😊

I was a bit surprised reading your installation link. Not sure where you ordered the kbd from but normally it comes as one piece with top cover.Good job working through it with what you received.

https://www.waresphere.com/store/hp-15-ab-top-cover-touchpad-keyboard-us-black-assembly-809031-001-e...

[gkline]

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@CherylG wrote:

You're very welcome. Kudos for your perseverance-and your Signature file.😊

I was a bit surprised reading your installation link. Not sure where you ordered the kbd from but normally it comes as one piece with top cover.Good job working through it with what you received.

https://www.waresphere.com/store/hp-15-ab-top-cover-touchpad-keyboard-us-black-assembly-809031-001-e...

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Thanks!

It appears there is a little cottage industry for providing the keyboards as a separate part.  The quality seems to be HP OEM, but maybe it isn't?  Since HP has all the parts made in China, it's possible a little 'side effort' is made for some parts that can be serviceable if undertaking enough effort.  My keyboard was $18 shipped... a far cry from $80! 

The part looks like this:  backlit-keyboard-hp-envy-15-15t-15q-15q-m6

However, I think I found the back-lit keyboard with top cover assembly that I was looking for, at a very reasonable price of $53:  hp-pavilion-15-au-top-cover-856044-031-3fg34tstp00.html

Had I seen this one, I'd have probably gotten it because of the time saved for not having to jury-rig for 6 hours a keyboard replacement as I did.

The fix isn't 100% solid, as there's a little play to the center part of the keyboard, but it's minor.  I'll probably be upgrading the notebook next year anyway.  The newer HP designs are very sleek, plus the opportunity for an NVMe SSD socket is compelling.

[CherylG]

@gkline

The new laptops with SSD are indeed blazingly fast. I used Spectre X360 13" with i5 7200 and Samsung ssd as my test laptop last year and it booted from cold start  to desktop in about 5 seconds . This year I am using Spectre X360 15 with i7 8550U and Intel SSD. Oddly, couple seconds slower on  cold boot as previous Spectre 13. Both very fast laptops after boot.