[Duo2400] Repaired trackpad ribbon cable

[R. McFarlane]

At 04:34 PM 6/19/2004, Peter Zwarych, had this to say :

>Hello 2400 group,
>
>I thought I'd share a story on a successful repair of a trackpad ribbon 
>cable in my 2400.  In taking the thing apart for the nth time, I 
>neglectfully severed the trackpad cable upon removing the trackpad/upper 
>assembly (that most crucial step to remember).  Obviously not repairable, 
>or so I thought.  Lately, there haven't been 2400  "part outs" on ebay to 
>reasonably obtain a replacement.  So, I attempted a repair as 
>follows:  With some fine sandpaper, I carefully sanded off opposing sides 
>of the ends of the ribbon cable until I had about 1mm exposed wire 
>contacts. I then overlapped the exposed contacts, securing the position 
>with simple scotch tape on both sides.  In an attempt to ensure contact, I 
>fashioned a clamp by bending a 2.5cm portion of a straight bobby pin in 
>half and slid it over the overlapping portion of the ribbon cable repair. 
>A little more tape top and bottom to cover the pin and then reassembly. I 
>was extremely skeptical, but, I fired it up and to my complete 
>astonishment the trackpad and clicker are again fully functional!!  A 
>somewhat unconventional 30 minute/ 5 cent repair job.  Will it last? I 
>don't see why it shouldn't, at least until I get proper replacement 
>part.  "Never say never", as my Dad would have put it.


         I did the exact same thing on one of my 2300c's. My repair was 
unsuccessful though. Maybe I will try again.


Sincerely,

R. McFarlane

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