[ohfickit]

My HP G42 shed a key and I had a heck of a time getting it back on. I saw many posters offer re-install links that led nowhere. Others wanted you to buy a whole new keyboard.

Well, we'll not throw the laptop keyboard away simply because a single key popped off.
Here's a breakdown of how to replace.
Take key and turn over, you should see a metal stay rod hanging there as well as a small bi-hinged plastic keeper. This plastic keeper is set in a groove at the front underside of the key. This needs to move forward until the plastic keeper tabs pop out of their groove. The hinge has further tabs located at the rear that must be unsnapped as well. The plastic part of the key assembly must delicately be pried free from the underside of the the key plate. Once free and separate, we'll replace this piece first by laying it flat into the set groove vacated by removal from the keyboard itself. There will be a a tiny metal flange that rec. a piece of the plastic hinge into it as the first step of attachment. After installing that plastic piece, take the trimmed end of two toothpicks and use them to hold the tabs at the rear. Press gently until they yield to the pressure which won't be much as they are very fine. Tabs will pop and now the hinge will be completely installed and laying flat but eithout the key cover on top. Now here is where the metal stay comes in. There are two saddle loops, one on each side that receive the rods. Simply insert the rods equally and let the key cover drop. At this point a slight and gentle massage while pressing down will pop the key cover back onto the tabs. This is relatively easy when you have good eyesight, but is near impossible if you don't have good eyesight or sensitivity enough to feel the small parts click.

Edited by ohfickit, 22 March 2011 - 08:37 AM.