How to Unlock the Laptop Keyboard on a Dell Vostro 1310

If you need to replace the Dell Vostro 1310 keyboard on your laptop, you first need to get to the screws that unlock it, allowing it to be removed from the computer. These screws are hidden by the hinge cover, which also covers the section above the keyboard with the multi-media buttons. You'll need a small, plastic tool to pry off the hinge cover. Don't use a metal tool, or you'll risk damaging the hinge cover.

Power off your computer, unplug it from the power source and remove the battery. Close the lid of the machine and locate the hinge covers on the back of the laptop.

Pry up the hinge covers by inserting your prying tool into the small gap at the bottom center of each hinge cover. Lift each side until the cover pops loose.

Open the laptop as far as possible without forcing it. Insert the plastic prying tool under the hinge cover on the right side of the computer and gently lift it up, working the prying tool toward the left. Once you've reached the left side, lift the hinge cover off the Vostro 1310.

Find the screws above the top-left and top-right keys on the Dell Vostro 1310 keyboard. Unscrew both screws and set them aside.

Lift up on the back edge of the keyboard and slide the keyboard toward the screen a few inches. You should see the data cable connecting the keyboard to the laptop chassis. Lift up on the clip that holds the ribbon cable to the laptop to open it. Remove the cable and lift the keyboard free of the laptop.