How To Remove Ribbon Connector

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Ribbon cables, also known as multi-wire planar cables, are flat cables with multiple cords stock-still together. They're mostly considered obsolete these days, but y'all may occasionally find them inside some TVs, laptops, gaming systems, and printers. Replacing a ribbon cable is deceptively simple, but you may need to attach a new connector if the cable doesn't slide directly into a prune on your electronic device. As well, be sure to install the new ribbon cable the aforementioned direction and way the old cable was installed.

1. i

   Get a replacement ribbon cable designed for your specific electronic device. Ribbon cables are not universal and you lot must purchase a replacement from the manufacturer of your TV, printer, or computer. Measure out the width of the cablevision to determine the size you need and use the color or pattern on the cable itself to find a matching cable.^[1]

   • Ribbon cables are not specially common these days, although yous do find them in some sleeker electronics, like gaming systems and flat screen TVs, since they salvage space. If you're working on a printer, older TV, or some other electronic though, you may non be able to find a replacement ribbon.
   • A replacement ribbon cablevision shouldn't price more than $15.
   • Ribbon cables are all installed the same mode, but the cables themselves come in hundreds of different sizes and shapes. You lot cannot use a third-party cable to replace the ribbon cable on your specific device. Information technology must come up from the original manufacturer.

2. 2

   Make certain your replacement cable comes with whatever necessary connectors. Await at the end of the old ribbon cable. If the cable locks directly into a flat prune, y'all do not need a connector. If the cable slides into a plastic or metal piece that connects to the clip though, be sure to get a ribbon string with the connector you demand. Just purchase the replacement from the manufacturer.^[ii]

   • There are thousands of these connectors, and so it's of import to get an exact replacement from the manufacturer. These connectors typically look like 1–three in (2.v–7.6 cm) long rectangular pieces that connect the cablevision to a port.
   • Almost replacement cables will come with the connector you lot need. It may likewise come up pre-installed on the cablevision. In some cases yous'll need to install it yourself, though.

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3. 3

   Annotation the orientation of the old cable to keep installation elementary. Ribbon cables generally look different from ane another, but in that location'southward normally something on the cable to permit yous know which manner you install it. Look for a colored strip or a symbol well-nigh the tiptop of the cable to testify you lot which side is up. If in that location isn't anything on the cable, pay attending to the order of the colored cords to put your new ribbon cable in the exact same manner.^[3]

   • Some cables will take "upwardly" or and arrow printed on the cable to show you which management and orientation the cable should exist installed.

   Tip: If your old ribbon cable is a single solid color, there is no orientation. These older cables tin be installed upside downwards or right-side up. You don't demand to worry well-nigh the orientation.

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1. 1

   Flip the cable prune upward by hand to remove the old cable. At the end of the ribbon cable where it connects to the electronic, there is a horizontal strip of plastic with footling rivets sticking out of it. This is the cable clip. Put the tip of your index finger in the middle of these rivets and gently pull it upwards. Apply light force per unit area and pull gently to unlock the clip. Slide the old cable out of the prune.^[4]

   • This process only applies to ribbon cables that do not have a connector on the end. If you don't have a rectangular piece of plastic or metal on the finish of the cable itself, yous do not take a connector.
   • Turn off the ability source and allow the particular sit for at least 10 seconds whenever you're replacing ribbon cables so you don't risk accidental discharge.^[5]

   Alert: Practise non use a screwdriver or tool to unlock the ribbon cablevision. If y'all practice, y'all may end up breaking the clip. Just take your time and gently remove it by hand.

2. ii

   Slide the new ribbon underneath the cable clip. Have your replacement ribbon cable and plough it and so that it's facing the aforementioned management as the quondam cable with the colors laying the exact same way. With the clip unlocked, lower the end of the cable underneath the clip. Slide the cable through the base of the prune using the horizontal slot near the base of the console that the clip is fastened to.^[half-dozen]

   • This is typically pretty easy. You can see the opening where the cablevision slides in but by looking at the base of operations of the clip.

3. 3

   Button the ribbon cable affluent with the guide on the reverse side. Push the cable through the clip until the tip of the cable pops out on the other side. Keep sliding the cable through until it hits the small vertical lip. This is the guideline for the cable, and the end of the cable must residual flush confronting the lip. Adjust the cablevision as needed until the stop of the ribbon cablevision matches the guide line.^[7]

   • This may sound odd, but if there'south no guideline just push the cable to the other side and permit it sit down anywhere that it fits. When y'all install a ribbon cable, there are pins on the prune that puncture the cords to form an electric connection. You lot can theoretically install the clip on any role of the ribbon cable.

4. four

   Close the cable clip by hand to finish attaching the ribbon cable. Put your finger on the rivets you used to pry the cable clip off. Lower the rivets down towards the side that they originally rested. Press the clip down gently until it clicks into identify. The pins underneath the clip will puncture the ribbon cablevision and create an electrical connection betwixt the cablevision and the electronic component.^[viii]

5. five

   Install the other end of the cablevision with a prune or new panel. Most of the time, you merely demand to run the cablevision to some other cable clip on your electronic device. To attach the other end of the clip, repeat these steps by popping the 2d clip up and sliding the other end of the cablevision into the slot before closing it. If the cable runs to another console or electronic device, attach the clip earlier screwing or assembling the new portion of the device.^[9]

   • On a TV, this cablevision typically runs from the screen to the motherboard. On a reckoner, these cables connect the screen and keyboard to the motherboard. You commonly don't need to install new components for these repairs.
   • On a printer or gaming system, the ribbon clip oft connects two panels together to power up buttons. Attach both ends of the cable using your clips before screwing in or assembling the device.

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1. 1

   Pry the old connector out of the port to remove the onetime cablevision. If there is a piece of thin plastic wrapped over the connector and clip, slide information technology off by hand or with a small screwdriver. And so, endeavor pulling the connector out of the clip that attaches information technology to your electronic. If information technology sticks a petty, don't pry it out. Instead, pull the ribbon out of the connector and leave the actual connector attached to the clip. Slide the sometime cable out of the connector or clip.^[x]

   • Do not rip the connector if it won't come out of the port. Some connectors are built-into the machine and you actually unlock the cable by pushing a button or prying a comprehend out of the connector itself.^[11]
   • Refer to the teaching manual for your TV, printer, gaming system, or motherboard if yous can't figure out how to remove the connector.

2. 2

   Crimp the connector on the cease of the cablevision if it isn't preassembled. If you need to add a new connector to the cable, take the 2 halves of the connector and slide them over the terminate of the cablevision so that the edge of the ribbon cable sticks out ^one⁄₄ – ¹⁄₂  in (0.64–one.27 cm) by the connector. Line the edges of the two halves up and then that the sides are flush with 1 another. Push button the two halves together by squeezing them to drive the pins through the cords in the cable and adhere the connector.^[12]

   • The pins that stick out the end of the connector must be pointing away from the principal body of the ribbon cable. There is oft a little arrow on the 2 halves of the connector showing you lot which direction the connector needs to confront.
   • The connector comes in 2 halves that fit together using pegs. So long as the 2 halves are lined upwardly over the cable and the pins are sticking out, you can push the 2 pieces together to adhere them to the ribbon cable.

   Tip: You shouldn't need any tools to do this, but you can squeeze the 2 halves of the connector together with pliers or channel locks if you can't get them to click together.

3. 3

   Slide the new ribbon cable into the connector or adhere the connector itself. If the connector is even so in the clip, orient the new ribbon cablevision to slide into the old connector. Turn it and so the colors and pins line upward with the old cable. Gently slide the cablevision into the connector until it clicks. If the quondam connector came out, slide the connector into the cablevision prune so that the prongs on the clip slide into the connector.^[13]

   • If you're attaching a connector, you should hear the connector click into the prune.
   • If you slide the ribbon cable into the connector, just line the end of the ribbon upwards with the bottom of the connector and slide it dorsum into the prune.

4. four

   Adhere the other end of the cable to a clip or your 2nd connector. If there's a connector on the other end of the ribbon cablevision connection, but repeat these steps to install the other end of the cable. If there isn't a 2nd connector, flip the cable prune upward by mitt and slide the bare ribbon cable underneath to adhere it. You may need to install a new panel or electrical component depending on the nature of the repair.^[14]

   • In a estimator, you're likely attaching the ribbon cablevision from the motherboard to your keyboard or screen. Each end will accept a separate connector.
   • On a gaming device or printer, you will likely need to screw 2 panels together on your device to finish installing the cable.

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• Question

  How exercise you lot properly switch off a reckoner?

  

  Garnik Ovsepyan is a Figurer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom reckoner builds, calculator repairs, virus removal, calculator tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.

  

  Computer Specialist

  Expert Reply

  Brand sure that the power switch forth the back of your computer is switched to the "circumvolve" symbol instead of the "line" symbol. And so, unplug the computer from the wall and permit information technology sit for nigh 10 seconds.

• Question

  How do I get rid of static in my body before working on my computer?

  

  Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.

  

  Calculator Specialist

  Expert Answer

  Tap the power supply section of your case to belch whatsoever extra static. Y'all can also wear an anti-static wrist strap.

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• If you're edifice a custom electrical system, stay away from ribbon cables. At that place are many better options out there and circular cables are much less likely to fail than a ribbon cable.

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