bob said:
Thanks. Anyone know where to get a plastic scribe to remove the
keyboard?
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/latd830/en/SM_EN/hingecvr.htm#wp1111212
A flat blade screwdriver might fit (blades vary as to how thick and wide
they are - many blades will be too thick for this).
An alternative, would be a wood chisel, which tapers to a point
and has a wide blade.
The advantage of using a wide blade, is it doesn't put all
the pressure on one point while you're prying up.
They recommended a "plastic scribe", implying the repair person
should not scratch the fascia of the computer. If substituting
a metallic tool, you'd want
1) Something thin enough to fit in the gap between the two surfaces.
2) Something wide enough, that it doesn't apply pressure at a single point.
That is, to prevent marking the surface.
3) Try to insert the tool, such that it won't scratch the surface.
A "scribe" meets the first requirement, as it has a needle point.
I generally only use my scribe, for drawing lines on sheet metal.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-70A-...0N84/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325787619&sr=8-3
But a scribe, while you're prying with it, applies pressure at a single
point, which can leave a mark.
I have a set of three wood chisels. And the funny thing is, I hardly
ever use them for wood working
But they occasionally make a good
alternative for prying things apart (say, something with a really
small gap). For example, I opened up the plastic case on my ADSL
modem last night, by pressing the retention tabs on the case, using
one of my wood chisels. Because the blade happens to fit the gap
in the case nicely.
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-16-97..._4?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1325787677&sr=1-4
You don't have to run off and buy one (chisels are sold individually
at some hardware stores). Just look around the house
for the nearest equivalent. I've owned a few staple removers, that
might be used like that in an emergency (as a prying tool).
I've also made my own tools, but that's an idea for another time.
(It's the MacGyver gene, that makes you do stuff like that
)
Paul