The french and the US keyboard are physically differents. I have a french canadian keyboard and the return key has another shape than the US keyboard so I don't think you could swap the two keyboards. You'll have to find a US top case.

[quote|lemerise]The french and the US keyboard are physically differents. I have a french canadian keyboard and the return key has another shape than the US keyboard so I don't think you could swap the two keyboards. You'll have to find a US top case.[/quote]

Hi lemerise,

You are absolutely right...Now I have a big problem because I already bought the keyboard...

I found a top case plus keyboard, but it is quite expensive...

Thanks a lot for your input!

Cheers,

Jordi

[quote|Puigvert]Hi lemerise, You are absolutely right...Now I have a big problem because I already bought the keyboard... I found a top case plus keyboard, but it is quite expensive... Thanks a lot for your input! Cheers, Jordi[/quote]

Great, I've just learned that the keyboard is ultrasonically welded to the top case...There is no way I can even install the US keyboard that I bough even in a US top case...

[quote|Puigvert]Great, I've just learned that the keyboard is ultrasonically welded to the top case...There is no way I can even install the US keyboard that I bough even in a US top case...[/quote]

Try using the input source manager to get your French Keys to type in English.

You can pop the keys off the English board and put on the French one - if the return key can't be swapped no biggie - you know from it's position what it's for

Yes, as long as it's appart a light lithium grease or a drop of sewing machine oil, graphite or WD40 on each side is fine be careful not to splash/spray on the display cover it with some paper first.

The hinges/clutches get stiff and that's where a lot of laptops fail over time... hinges break snapping shorting cables to the screen/wireless cards.

[quote|machead3]Try '''using the input source manager to get your French Keys to type in English.''' You can ''pop the keys off the English board and put on the French one'' - if the return key can't be swapped no biggie - ''you know from it's position what it's for'' Yes, as long as it's appart a light lithium grease or a drop of sewing machine oil, graphite or WD40 on each side is fine '''be careful not to splash/spray on the display''' cover it with some paper first. '''The hinges/clutches get stiff and that's where a lot of laptops fail over time...''' hinges break snapping shorting cables to the screen/wireless cards.[/quote]

Thank you very much. I'll probably try that, it doesn't sound too complicated...

Cheers!

[quote|Puigvert]Thank you very much. I'll probably try that, it doesn't sound too complicated... Cheers![/quote]

Check on ebay for a used black US top case. You can get a good deal there.

[quote|lemerise]Check on ebay for a used black US top case. You can get a good deal there.[/quote]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to say that following your advises and amazing guides, I've successfully replaced the optical drive as well as the upper case (by an international English second hand one), and also greased the hinges.

And it looks and performs amazing again!

Thank you very much for your help!

Cheers,

Jordi

[quote|Puigvert]Hi everyone, I just wanted to say that following your advises and amazing guides, I've successfully replaced the optical drive as well as the upper case (by an international English second hand one), and also greased the hinges. And it looks and performs amazing again! Thank you very much for your help! Cheers, Jordi[/quote]