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Sep 08, 2016
Perfect for typing in dark rooms
My Dell Inspiron 1720 wasn't designed for use with a back-lit keyboard; it was never an optional accessory. However, I managed to get it working 100%. The keyboard itself fits the laptop and works fine, however my laptop does not have an internal jack to power and control the back-lighting. So, I disconnected the laptop's internal modem and re-used the modem wires to connect an external +12V DC power and ground to light up the keyboard. The keyboard back-lighting ribbon cable has 4 copper pads. Pad 3 is Ground. Pad 4 takes +12V DC. Now just cut off one end of a telephone wire and connect it to a 12V DC power adapter. The keyboard back-lighting will draw 110mA DC current. Plug the other end of the telephone wire into the laptop's modem jack. Of course you disconnected the internal modem first, right? And, you re-routed the modem wire to power the keyboard back-lighting, as mentioned previously.
Lastly, just a very minor issue. I had to Dremel away the standoffs on the bottom of the screw holes to make it fit perfect. Since it was not designed for this laptop in the first place, I am very happy with the end result. I love it.