[PB] The little network plug snap things...

[Eric F Crist]

Hello list!

I'm glad to finally see some activity.  The PowerBook folder in Mail  
is not very active, so it was a pleasant surprise to see activity  
after these many months.

Here's a question for the list.  I have a 12" Powerbook G4.  This is  
the previous generation to the current one, meaning I don't have SMS,  
and things like that.  The other day, my Powerbook was plugged into  
my network switch and sitting all peaceful-like on my coffee table.   
Then, low-and-behold, I tripped over the network cable.  It popped  
right out!  Only later did I realize that the two corners that hold  
the clip back on the RJ-45 connector had broken off:

::::::::::
::::  ::::
:        :  =  Good Connector!
:||||||||:
::::::::::

::::::::::
:::/  \:::
:        :  =  AHHH! (Broken, sad connector)
:||||||||:
::::::::::

Now, I've noticed Dell, and others now make these clips out of  
metal.  This means that when my drunk, erm clumsy, self trips over  
the network cable, it doesn't break.  If this were the RJ-11 jack, no  
problem, as I could simply replace it.  The RJ-11 jack is not part of  
the main logic board on these macs.  HOWEVER, the RJ-45 jack IS a  
part of the main logic board, so it's not so simple to replace.

To my point: Is there a 'fix' for this problem?  I'm thinking perhaps  
a metal or plastic insert to replace the missing corners

Thanks, in advance, for all of your input.

_______________________________________________________
Eric F Crist                  "I am so smart, S.M.R.T!"
Secure Computing Networks              -Homer J Simpson