(sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.

[Witchboard]

Well, I was starting to disassemble the laptop I was going to use for my MAME bartop and ended up ripping the ribbon cable on the TFT.    All well, maybe I can sell the parts on eBay.

[SOAPboy]

or replace the ribbon cable.. 

[paigeoliver]

or replace the ribbon cable.. 

Or some very careful soldering might also get you back in business.

[Witchboard]

or replace the ribbon cable..

[tmasman]

There's a local "Discount Electronics" store here in DFW, TX that has TONS of busted laptops & other assundry items from scrapped PC machines...

I'm sure if you've got a local place like that near you, you'd be able to find a part worthy of a test fit...

If not... Mail me the ribbon & I'll see if they have a replacement.  It would only cost you $0.35 (or whatever postage is these days).  7 if they don't have it I'd mail you the ribbon back & then you can consider eBay (or look for a busted laptop like yours on eBay & scavange the ribbon...)

Anyhow, it's a TOTAL waiste to throw out a laptop before looking into all your options.

[Witchboard]

I may take you up on that offer.  I'll look around here and let you know if there's not a laptop computer graveyard.  There is a laptop just like mine on eBay right now, but the funny thing is... it has the same problem as mine.

I wasn't going to throw it out.  I was just going to hook up a CRT monitor via the VGA out on the back.  I would just have to change my bartop plans to accommodate.

[SteveJ34]

Ya, I agree with tmasman....I know the place he is talking about.

I refer to it as "the boneyard" and it would be well worth the postage to investigate if you do not have a similar type of location in your neck of the woods.

[Witchboard]

I'll make some calls today and see if there's anything like that here.  If not I'll drop tmasman a PM.  Thanks guys for the info.  Who says sulking on a public forum never gets you anywhere? 

[DemonBrew]

Ebay is a good place to look for the replacement parts. Example: my wife's 5 year old laptop touchpad was acting up. I couldn't find the part on Dell's site. I went to ebay, did a search on touchpad and ended up buying the entire palmrest with touchpad included for $5 (plus shipping). And there were TONS of listings for this particular model. Now that's a bargain.

[Lilwolf]

There is also conductive glue that might work for you...

[Witchboard]

I don't think the glue will work.  The runs are too fine.  I would prefer either to get a new cable or not use it at all and maybe sell the TFT display to somebody who needs one.

[paigeoliver]

As far as careful soldering, I didn't mean solder on the ribbon cable, I meant solder jumper wires inbetween the locations the ribbon cable connected. You need a steady hand and thin wire, but it is doable. It would be a lot easier than replacing the surface mount bios on a newer neo geo board (which I have seen a lot of people do).

[Witchboard]

I really don't think it's possible to solder these.  I'll take a picture of the connections and you all can give me your opinions.  I can do cap kits and replace ram chips and stuff, but this is too small for me.

[ShinAce]

You just need a finer tipped iron and a magnifying glass,  .

I'd go with a new cable myself.