PowerBook in need of electronics expertise [COLUG]

[Andrew J. Barr]

Jim wrote:
> Andrew Barr wrote:
> 
>> On Thu, 2007-04-05 at 01:38 +0000, Jim wrote:
>>> Andrew Barr wrote:
>>>
>>>> ... the flex cable ZIF sockets for the keyboard and
>>>> touchpad are broken. The small swivel arm that holds the ribbon cable in
>>>> place is not there any more, so the connection isn't held. 
> 
>>> I'm a bit surprised that the LIF connector broke, 
>>> instead of the flexible cable. 
> 
>> http://www.oakcourt.dyndns.org/~andrew/pictures/powerbook/
> 
> Thanks. Your connector looks ordinary enough, 
> 
> For LIF/ZIF (low insertion force/zero insertion force) connectors, 
> I expect a _sliding_ wedge/lock piece. 
> Sometimes the lock is brown, sometimes it's the same color as 
> the body of the connector. Here's a ZIF connector with beige 
> body and brown locking piece: 
> 
>    http://www.colug.net/~jep/images/closeups/5.html
> 
> Are you missing a sliding lock piece to your connector? 
> 
> Connectors without a locking piece typically require much force 
> to push the cable in. 
> 
> Although I've seen hinged locking arms on ZIF DIP sockets and 
> big ZIF sockets for CPUs, I've never seen or heard of swivel arms 
> involved with connectors for flexible cables. Is the swivel 
> arm not actually part of the connector, but just holds the 
> flexible cable somewhere away from the connector? 
> Please describe that swivel arm more. 
> Can you give me URLs of pictures that show such a swivel arm? 

Swivel arm is a bad choice of words based on some possibly-incorrect 
assumptions on my part from working with other laptops. I need to talk 
to the person who gave me this laptop and ask them specifically what the 
piece was, I'll get back you on this.

> At any rate, geek lunch would be a good time to look at your 
> laptop's problem. 

Sure. Are you referring to something specific, some regular event that 
goes on around here, or what? I'm not entirely clear what "geek lunch" 
means....


> Also, you show pictures of two different connectors. 
> They look like they are of the same style of contruction. 
> It looks like they both are missing the locking piece, 
> or that they are both not ZIF (or LIF) connectors. 
> Which connector(s) has(have) the problem? 

You are correct, both connectors are missing the pieces. They connect 
the keyboard and touchpad, and the reason the machine won't start is 
that the power button is part of the keyboard.

>    http://www.oakcourt.dyndns.org/~andrew/pictures/powerbook/IMG_1834.JPG
> 
> The above picture hints that you might not have a ZIF(/LIF) 
> connector, but a connector that requires much force. 

I was told it was a ZIF connector, but this could be wrong. What are the 
implications for repair with these different types of connectors?

> BTW, your pictures are good enough, but could be better. 
> Brighter light and using highest quality setting might 
> help reduce the graininess/blotchiness. 
> 
>> ... (Verizon)
> 
> Verizon or Verizon Wireless? 

Wireless

> _______________________________________________
> colug432 mailing list colug432 at colug.net
> http://www.colug.net/mailman/listinfo/colug432