PC Engine Core Grafx Ribbon Cable Repair/Replace

[Electromaster64]

Any tips for repairing or replacing a Core Grafx ribbon cable that snapped off of the Hu-Card slot during installation of the Obey Chip?  Super bummed about this.

[Bernie]

oh damn... i've heard it is possible, but it is not an easy task.  PM Keith Courage here in the forums, or thesteve.  One of them have most likely came across this before.

[Keith Courage]

It is difficult to do but not horrible. I've done this a few times now. basically the best option is to cut down each wire to make them separate much like a PC IDE cable. This will make it easier to solder each individual one back on again. Also, you will most likely have to do both cables since when one crumbles the other will as well. 

Typically they fall apart from people bending the cables too much(usually during a region mod install). The cables are so brittle I'm even afraid when I take a pc engine apart to re-whiten it that the cables could come apart.

[Electromaster64]

This is the fourth one I have done a region mod on, I typically do the original PC Engine and do a video mod, so I was pretty surprised it snapped.  Didn't even know I broke it till I went to turn it on and the screen cut in and out.

I think I will be able to fix it. I was just not sure how to strip the ribbon cable, but an exacto knife and my thumb nail did the trick easily.  I have stripped IDE cables wire by wire before and that is a pain so I am glad this worked out easily.  Soldering it back up should not be too much trouble.  Will let you know how it goes when I get time to solder it.

[BlueBMW]

I've replaced the ribbon cables with individual wires a few times.   Its tedious but it works.

[thesteve]

i take a ribbon like an old IDE or floppy cable
split it into sets of 4
spread the wires on the ends a bit
strip about 1/4"
pre-tin and solder to board

[BlueBMW]

Here's a pic of what I did once...

/whitepce2.jpg

[cjameslv]

Here's a pic of what I did once...
/whitepce2.jpg

I'm no noob, that's Angel hair pasta..don't try to pass off food as a mod.

[BlueBMW]

Haha!  That's 30ga wire ;)

[thesteve]

heh, i think i ran across that 1 and redid it

[BlueBMW]

I think it was a white pc engine.  Its been probably four years ago now.