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MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the keyboard in your MNT Pocket Reform laptop.

If your keyboard is not communicating with the system controller or laptop, or if some keys don't work, you may need to replace the keyboard. You can find specs to make your own motherboard on MNT's documentation page.

What you need

  1. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Shut down the laptop: step 1, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Shut down the laptop: step 1, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Shut down the laptop: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • If you've installed an operating system, follow the appropriate steps to safely shut down the laptop.

    • If you've not yet installed an operating system, or the laptop is not responsive, you can shut it down with these steps:

    • Turn on the OLED screen by pressing the Hyper key (diagonal arrow) and Enter at the same time.

    • Use the arrow keys to select Power Off on the OLED screen.

    • Press Enter to shut down the laptop.

    • Disconnect all cables from the laptop.

    Edit

  2. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Turn off the standby power: step 2, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Turn off the standby power: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use a small tool, like a SIM eject tool or a bent paperclip, to turn off the standby power switch by sliding the switch away from the headset jack.

    • The standby power switch is located in a small recess on the same side as the headset jack.

    Edit

  3. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the bottom cover screws: step 3, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the bottom cover screws: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Place the laptop on your work surface so the bottom cover, with the regulatory info box, is facing up.

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the six 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the bottom cover.

    Edit

  4. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the bottom cover: step 4, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the bottom cover: step 4, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the bottom cover: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • The bottom cover is made of printed circuit board (PCB) material. Press gently but firmly near an edge when applying the suction handle to avoid breaking the cover.

    • Apply a suction handle to the bottom cover.

    • Use the suction handle to lift the bottom cover off of the laptop.

    • Alternatively, you can use a thin prying tool to lift the cover, or tilt the laptop until the cover falls out.

    • During reassembly, place the bottom cover on the laptop so the info box is opposite the hinges.

    Edit

  5. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Disconnect the batteries: step 5, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Disconnect the batteries: step 5, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Disconnect the batteries: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Be careful not to damage the lithium-polymer batteries when working around them with metal tools. If the batteries are damaged or deformed in any way, take appropriate precautions.

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to disconnect the batteries' sliding connectors from the charger board.

    Edit

  6. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the batteries: step 6, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the batteries: step 6, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the batteries: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the batteries out of the frame.

    • During reassembly, install the batteries so the foam stickers face up, the sides of the batteries with wires are towards the hinges, and the wires run towards the middle of the laptop.

    Edit

  7. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Secure the bottom cover: step 7, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Secure the bottom cover: step 7, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Secure the bottom cover: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Place the bottom cover on the laptop.

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the bottom cover with the six 4.8 mm‑long screws.

    Edit

  8. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Open the laptop: step 8, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Open the laptop: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the laptop so the top cover with the MNT logo is facing up.

    • Open the laptop so the screws securing the keyboard bezel are easily accessible.

    Edit

  10. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard bezel screws: step 9, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard bezel screws: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the keyboard bezel.

    Edit

  11. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard bezel: step 10, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard bezel: step 10, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard bezel: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Insert a spudger or your finger into the gap between a hinge and the display bezel.

    • Pry up the display bezel until you can grab it with your fingers.

    Edit

  12. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • There are four strong magnets under the keyboard bezel at the bottom of the frame. These can stay in place during the repair, but you can remove them to avoid losing them.

    • Lift and remove the keyboard bezel.

    • During reassembly:

    • If you removed the magnets, make sure they are installed so they attract the magnets under the display bezel.

    • Make sure the side of the keyboard bezel with countersunk (conically shaped) screw wells is facing up.

    Edit

  13. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the trackball: step 12, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the trackball: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the trackball from its housing and place it somewhere where it won't roll away.

    Edit

  14. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the OLED screen screws: step 13, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the OLED screen screws: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 5.0 mm‑long screws securing the OLED screen.

    • Note that these are round-top "cheesehead" screws instead of the flat-topped countersunk screws used everywhere else. Make sure to use the correct screws during reassembly.

    Edit

  15. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Lift the OLED screen: step 14, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Lift the OLED screen: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • There is still a ribbon cable under the OLED screen. Do not attempt to completely remove the screen yet.

    • Lift the OLED screen and rotate it so you can access the ribbon cable underneath it.

    Edit

  16. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the OLED screen: step 15, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the OLED screen: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the locking flap of the OLED screen cable ZIF connector on the keyboard.

    Edit

  17. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the pull tab on the ribbon cable and pull it out of the connector.

    Edit

  18. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Disconnect the keyboard: step 17, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Disconnect the keyboard: step 17, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Disconnect the keyboard: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Use a pair of angled tweezers to disconnect both sliding connectors along the top edge of the keyboard.

    Edit

  19. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard: step 18, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the keyboard: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the keyboard.

    Edit

  20. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 19, image 2 of 3 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Lift and remove the keyboard.

    Edit

  21. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the trackball board: step 20, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement, Remove the trackball board: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • If your replacement keyboard includes a trackball board, you can skip the next three steps and proceed with reassembly.

    • Lay the keyboard on your work surface so the back is facing up.

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two 4.8 mm‑long screws securing the trackball board.

    Edit

  22. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use a spudger or your finger to lift up the locking flap of the trackball board ZIF connector on the keyboard

    Edit

  23. MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 MNT Pocket Reform Keyboard Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to grip the ribbon cable by the blue tab and remove it from the ZIF connector.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Author

Spencer Pennington

Member since: 09/09/23

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