Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 01:26:59 am

Title: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 01:26:59 am

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.  :o  All well, maybe I can sell the parts on eBay.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: SOAPboy on March 08, 2005, 03:09:02 am

or replace the ribbon cable..  :P

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: paigeoliver on March 08, 2005, 06:34:03 am

Quote from: SOAPboy on March 08, 2005, 03:09:02 am

or replace the ribbon cable..  :P

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

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 08:36:21 am

Quote from: SOAPboy on March 08, 2005, 03:09:02 am

or replace the ribbon cable..

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: tmasman on March 08, 2005, 08:49:42 am

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.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 09:00:05 am

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.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: SteveJ34 on March 08, 2005, 09:07:40 am

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.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 09:28:42 am

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?  ;D

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: DemonBrew on March 08, 2005, 12:25:03 pm

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.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Lilwolf on March 08, 2005, 12:33:27 pm

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

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 01:44:00 pm

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.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: paigeoliver on March 08, 2005, 05:28:28 pm

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).

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: Witchboard on March 08, 2005, 06:36:12 pm

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.

Title: Re: (sigh) That's the way the laptop crumbles.
Post by: ShinAce on March 08, 2005, 06:49:07 pm

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

I'd go with a new cable myself.