laptop keyboard ribbon question

[mack10]

i was taking a laptop apart and was disconnecting the keyboard connecter from the motherboard and pulled the ribbon out of the connector. can this be fixed?

 

[Zeri]

Most of the time they have a tab on them to lock the cable in place. I have used hot glue to hold it in place on a system of two that the connector was broken. Don't think it is recomended, but it worked for me.

 

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Sounds like you owe a customer a new keyboard. I think its pretty much professional courtesy not to try to rig something back together that wasn't broken before you got a hold of it.

If is your own machine, do as you wish..

 

[mack10]

not trying rig anything just wondering if there is a way you can reconnect the ribbon to the clip or a new clip or is the only option to buy new keyboard?

 

[NYJimbo]

not trying rig anything just wondering if there is a way you can reconnect the ribbon to the clip or a new clip or is the only option to buy new keyboard?

there are three basic connectors for these ribbons: Slider, rocker and pressure fit (thats what I call them). The slider is where you slide out the little brown/black/grey pressure bar and then pull the cable. The second is a rocker, which rocks up and down and sort of clamps down on the cable. The third that I know of is a cable that actually slides into the same type of connector but there is no release like a slider or a rocker. You have to carefully force it back in. I have only seen these forced ones on narrow cables, not keyboards.

Where did the cable disconnect, from the motherboard or the keyboard. Changes are if you just pulled out the cable it can be put back in if you didnt break the little slider/rocker. You just have to slide it out or rock it up to release pressure on the cable insertion area.

Here is a picture of a pair of rockers from a netbook I was working on and a normal slider I found on the web.

 

[atlanticjim]

Jimbo has all the right answers (as usual).
But. . . from my experience most laptop keyboard ribbons have disconnects at the mobo side. If the connector on the mobo is broken and you cannot guarantee that it will not disconnect while the customer is using, carrying, dropping the laptop, then you owe them a mobo with installation.

I have a line item in QuickBooks called "Repair University Tuition" and I would then charge this unfortunate incident to that.

It is often said that you do not learn on client's computers, but with the technology variations, especially in laptops it is difficult not to get into the situation. Try to get ahold of some old laptops, even dead ones then then disassemble and reassemble them.

Always get the disassembly instructions from the manufacturer and follow them like a religious ritual.

 

[DarDar]

I second, the manufacturers instructions. I was doing a hp laptop recently and i had never had to take one apart before (its pretty much ALL dells round here as the plant used to be in our city till a few months ago). There were some build techniques i hadn't seen before so i went straight to the hp site for help. Saved me time and the possibilty of damage.

 

[mekon]

I have a line item in QuickBooks called "Repair University Tuition" and I would then charge this unfortunate incident to that.

Hehe. I've got one of those, only mine is called "Live and learn account". Last year mine stood me in for £43.73 ($71.20); how much was yours? I only charge in components; I don't cost in labour otherwise every time I saw it, I would cry my eyes out.

Why is it that things that cost pence take hours, to put right?

 

[Tweak]

Not to take away from the OP here but since it is similar why not ask this...does anyone have a good source for a Compaq CQ50-115NR power switch? Problem is it is attached via a small ribbon which it would appear was glued into place as there are no exposed wiring and it was the smallest bit of tacky where the ribbon was attached. If you notice the was, (I'n sure you did ) you know the problem is it fell off, was lose and the wifi wasn't working every press and now not at all...parents lappy the dropped, did work and all in system is fine but that ribbon, looks like this but the other side where it attaches appears to have no option to re-attach sadly. Thanks to anyone with some leads on this!

Here you can see the cable and the switch and what I refer to, don't seem to be an option to attach it though...

 

[NYJimbo]

Not to take away from the OP here but since it is similar why not ask this...does anyone have a good source for a Compaq CQ50-115NR power switch? Problem is it is attached via a small ribbon which it would appear was glued into place as there are no exposed wiring and it was the smallest bit of tacky where the ribbon was attached. If you notice the was, (I'n sure you did ) you know the problem is it fell off, was lose and the wifi wasn't working every press and now not at all...parents lappy the dropped, did work and all in system is fine but that ribbon, looks like this but the other side where it attaches appears to have no option to re-attach sadly. Thanks to anyone with some leads on this!

Here you can see the cable and the switch and what I refer to, don't seem to be an option to attach it though...

I would try to fix it yourself, otherwise......


http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-G50-G60-CQ50...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20aef17d3b

 

[Tweak]

I would try to fix it yourself, otherwise......


http://cgi.ebay.com/HP-G50-G60-CQ50...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20aef17d3b

I wish fixing was an option...the cable has nothing exposed, I see no way to attach it to the solder joints, fairly poor design that's for sure, really do not want to have to purchase a replacement for $60 bucks though!

But anyways, thanks buddy!

 

[DarDar]

Not to take away from the OP here but since it is similar why not ask this...does anyone have a good source for a Compaq CQ50-115NR power switch? Problem is it is attached via a small ribbon which it would appear was glued into place as there are no exposed wiring and it was the smallest bit of tacky where the ribbon was attached. If you notice the was, (I'n sure you did ) you know the problem is it fell off, was lose and the wifi wasn't working every press and now not at all...parents lappy the dropped, did work and all in system is fine but that ribbon, looks like this but the other side where it attaches appears to have no option to re-attach sadly. Thanks to anyone with some leads on this!

Here you can see the cable and the switch and what I refer to, don't seem to be an option to attach it though...

this video has some idea of how to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ-ySzofaGI

What you need to do is to sand the ribbon on the bottom to expose wires. This will have the effect of exposing and stripping the wires. The exposed bare wire should encourage the solder to flow to them. Soldering paste may be a better idea with a hot air station though.

 

[NYJimbo]

I wish fixing was an option...the cable has nothing exposed, I see no way to attach it to the solder joints, fairly poor design that's for sure, really do not want to have to purchase a replacement for $60 bucks though!

But anyways, thanks buddy!

Arent those tiny wires on the end what was connecting to the board?. Arent they exposed and are the lands/traces on the board still intact ?

 

[Tweak]

this video has some idea of how to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ-ySzofaGI

What you need to do is to sand the ribbon on the bottom to expose wires. This will have the effect of exposing and stripping the wires. The exposed bare wire should encourage the solder to flow to them. Soldering paste may be a better idea with a hot air station though.

Much appreciated my friend, looks like a nice option to try. Thanks!

@ Jimbo tiny wires yes, exposed, not at all.