[Ham-Computers] Removing Hard Drive Ribbon Cable Somewhat Easily??

[Jim Hill]

My EIDE ribbon cable connector that connects to the "master" hard 
drive is becoming intermittent due to repeated connections.  The 
connector that connects to the mother board has never been removed 
and is really tight. It's time to replace the cable, but I don't have 
the strength to disconnect by grasping the connector by squeezing the 
ends of the connector between thumb and adjacent finger and pulling 
straight up. There's a chance I could remove the connector by 
grasping the ends, plus gentle rocking, but I doubt it.  The next 
choice is to grip the connector with one hand, the ribbon cable with 
the other, rock gently, and pull.  Another choice is to pull on the 
ribbon cable with one hand and hold the mother board down with the 
other to avoid any damage to the mother board due to flexing.  I've 
learned about the problems caused by rocking the connector too much; 
pins bend and need to be straightened with needle nose pliers.

Computer is a Dell OptiPlex P3-933mhz desktop,

Any suggestions?
Jim, w6ivw