So the F11 key on my 2 month old G4 laptop just went AWOL.

[Dangerously Amused]

Sadly, I am but semi-computer literate with software, and laughably clueless when it comes to hardware. Anyway, re: the errant F11 key. I don't know what possibly could have happened. I was just sitting here working and suddenly noticed that it was cozied up just a little too closely to its friend, F12. I gave it a gentle nudge, only to find that it is completely detached.

So is this something I can fix on my own? I mean, do I just have to reposition the key and then I can sort of "pop" it back into place like a dislocated shoulder? Or will I need to take it in for repair? Is this common to Mac keys? Or is this just an F11 problem?

Thanks for any assistance anyone may be able to offer!

[Dangerously Amused]

1. Anybody?

I suppose I could just call Applecare. Though I'd rather they not tell me I have to drive the 160 RT miles to the one and only authorized apple dealer in my state because it's "hardware repair policy" if this is really just a simple operation I can do myself.

[kick-ass-bob]

2. I think you can just pop those back on.

But I have never had to do that.

[Dangerously Amused]

4. I sort-of tried that.

Maybe I didn't use enough pressure. I am a little afraid I might make it worse, though. Then again, how much worse can I make it, right? That and it didn't seem to "line up" like something that could be popped back together. Hmm. I'll try again. Thank you for the suggestion!

[Ready4Change]

3. Does the key look intact?

Are there any little broken or cracked bits on its underside, or on the keyboard where it used to be? Looking it over can you tell what fits where? I've never dealth with mine (on an iBook, so they may be different anyway.) So I've not much else to go on.

MOST keys just pull straight off, and can be placed back in position and pushed down until they snap back into place. However, they don't just fall over under normal use, either, which makes me wonder if yours somehow broke. That would be odd, but could be the result if something like a picture frame fell onto the open keyboard and the frames corner hit the F11 key just wrong.

If there's any broken bits a visit to an Apple store might be called for, as there might be broken bits inside the case that will need to be removed before a new key can be put in place.

Good luck.

[Dangerously Amused]

5. It doesn't look broken that I can tell...

But I'm so clueless about it all that you really can't go by me. Well anyway, there are no little pieces, and no cracks that I can see. If there is a break it's a clean break.

I can't really see how the key and the place it used to be would line up to pop back together. There is a little stem like thing still on the board where the key used to be. The back of the key kind of looks like one of those keyhole (?) openings in a wooden frame to hang something, where you put say the head of a nail in the bigger part of an opening, and then slide it so that the head of the nail gets covered by the wood but the shank of the nail is still in the open.

Nothing traumatic happened to the powerbook before the key fell off. About the only thing I can think of is that I had it turned off and was wiping the keys with a soft cloth and putting a little pressure on them - really just enough to depress them - but that's all.

Well, it's good at least to know that most keys can come off and pop back on again. I think I'll try popping it on again and using a little more pressure. Unfortunately cannot do it tonight as I am away from home. But tomorrow. Thanks for the info!

[Ready4Change]

6. Potentially useful website link

http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/53.5.3.html

I'm guessing at which model G4 you have, but this page has a paragraph on just pushing down on the jeys to replace them.

If this doesn't look like yours, you might find the correct model starting at this page:

http://www.pbfixit.com/Guide/

They don't have the exact same infor for each machine, but it might get you started.

Looks like a useful place for Mac laptop owners.

[Dangerously Amused]

7. Thanks so much for that website!

It does indeed look very useful. I bookmarked it right away.

I did try to "pop" the key back in, but no luck.

=Sigh=

I guess I'll just have to take it in to the store. Oh well, it's a good excuse to visit my sister, who lives nearby.

But thanks again for your help!