I have a Inspiron 4100 thats about 2 years old now.  This morning, while catching the computer as it fell off a table, I broke two keys.  You know, the little plastic x scissor hinge attachments.  Not the keys themselves, and the little rubber tapper itself is fine.  Just one of those tiny tabs that hold the top half of the x down.

I'm sure you've all seen these posts before, I did do a search before posting.  Its not a rare issue.  Seems to happen a lot, actually.  The response is ridiculous- you have to replace the entire keyboard.  No, Dell doesn't carry individual keys.  Entire keyboard, because of a flimsy tiny little bit of plastic

I don't understand the economics of this.  It would alienate any rational customer to learn that he or she has to buy an entire new keyboard when something so simple breaks, something that would be easy for a company such as Dell to add onto the much flaunted "award winning customer support".  Sure, the profit margins would be small on a plastic hinge that must cost a couple cents, but to not carry replacement parts for an often broken part doesn't make sense.  I would suppose that the keys don't break down while on warranty to statistically justify it, but I'd guess that those keyboards that are replaced on warranty are 'professionally refurbished' with a few cents of plastic and then resold to the next poor fellow that buys a replacement keyboard.

I have two requests.  The first is to Dell.  So I can't get replacement keys, I'm off warranty and I have to shell out for a new keyboard.  I would like to know why this is the case.  I know that Dell doesn't sell 'individual keys', but since this is a common issue that appears to be easily fixed, I would like to know the reasoning that corporate dell is following, if it can be changed, and if so, how.

The second request is to anyone out there that has already bought themselves a replacement keyboard.  There is really no reason why I should benefit from your expense, but if anyone out there has an old inspiron 4100 type keyboard not being used, it would be greatly appreciated if you could salvage two or three of the standard key sized plastic scissor attachments and drop them in the mail to me.  Feel free to send me a private message if you are willing, or tell your friends or someone who can help.

Thank you.

Dave.