The Nokia E71 features a full QWERTY keyboard on its face that controls all the input into the device. If the keyboard stops working, the E71 will be little more than an elaborate paperweight. While the plastic keypad is fairly simple to replace, the actual keyboard is connected to the metal LCD housing and held under a few additional components, so you will have to take the entire device apart to replace it.
Instructions
1. Turn the Nokia E71 over. Press in on the sides of the battery cover near the bottom of the device. Lift up to remove the cover from the E71. Pull out on the top of the E71's battery to remove it, and then slide the SIM card down to remove it as well.
2. Remove the four T5 screws located on the lower half of the back side of the device with the T5 screwdriver. Once the screws are out, find the two clips on each side of the device. These clips are located about an inch apart, near the bottom of each side. Push in on the clips with the screwdriver.
3. Turn the device over and lift up to remove the front housing. Then pull down on the small plastic cover that sits over the bottom of the phone.
4. Pull up on the small ribbon connector that sits above the LCD. Use the pry tool to pull up this connector to avoid damaging it. Lift up on the top of the LCD. Both the keyboard and LCD will hinge up, but they're still connected to the board, so lift carefully. Once the keyboard and LCD are vertical, locate the ribbon connector that secures them to the control board. Use the pry tool to release the connector, and remove the LCD and keyboard from the device.
5. Insert your pry tool between the LCD and the metal housing that surrounds it. Lift up to remove the LCD from the housing and the keyboard.
6. Remove the keyboard and metal housing from the area and bring your replacement to the table. Seat the LCD into the new metal housing. Then connect the cable at the bottom of the keyboard to the connector at the bottom of the E71's control board. Lower the keyboard and LCD back down onto the device, and reconnect the small connector that sits above the LCD.
7. Replace the small plastic piece at the bottom of the device. Just push it down to keep it in place. Then place the front housing back onto the device as well, and push down to have the clips lock it into place. Turn the E71 over and replace the screws.
Tags: metal housing, connector that, that sits, bottom device, connector that sits, control board, each side