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Keyboard Possibly Fried - Repair Options?

About a month ago, I was cleaning my keyboard with Windex and I put an excess amount on the keyboard to the point that I assume it seeped down and affected something inside. When I would press the "K" key, the SK keys would press down, up to the point where I got the opposite for each key I pressed. Unfortunately, the power button is a victim of that and I can no longer function the laptop. So I pretty much gave up on that for about a month, but now I recall I have some precious and important pictures on that laptop that I wish to salvage out. The laptop is in beautiful condition, the only thing that is not working is the keyboard, and I had this happen with a similar incident happen (I believe) a few years ago with a Windows laptop where I spelled orange juice on my flight back home and I simply ordered a $20 keyboard replacement, opened up the top case, pulled out the keyboard ribbon + keyboard and replaced it. I'm unsure if this is the case here and if that is an option. What tools are necessary or are there repair options out there? I have no tools here other than a normal size Phillips screwdriver.

PS: Also, can the SSD be salvaged out and be used in a Windows laptop for data retrieval is no repair options are available? Thanks!

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OK, lets see if we can save your data off your MacBook air and get you fixed.

See if you can get ahold of an Apple USB mouse & keyboard. If you can, plug them in so you can access the system (leaving one USB port open), then plug in a USB thumb drive to copy your files to. You could also use a USB connected HD or a Thunderbolt connected HD as well here.

Once you have your data backed up we can try repairing your system.

Sadly this is a big job so if you feel you are not up to it you may want to bring your system into an authorized Apple service center. They at least will try repairing your system if the damage is localized within the keyboard. What they will do is replace the upper case. Review this IFIXIT guide: MacBook Air 11" Mid 2011 Upper Case Replacement. It has the keyboard attached.

While some people have managed to take the keyboard off to try to clean it, it's more work and you are likely not to able to fix the damage. You might be able to get a replacement keyboard alone but you will need to deal with the 50 screws and/or snap rivets used to hold the keyboard to the case.

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As to reusing your SSD from your air on a Windows system you could use this case: OWC Envoy. I can't tell you if you can use it with a Windows system as it was not intended to be used that way but I see no reason why you couldn't. You will need to reformat the drive (loosing everything) to be comparable with Windows. Also once you do reformat you may not be able to use it again on a Mac.

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Kevin Abreu will be eternally grateful.
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