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

[Jim Hill]

At 04:19 PM 12/1/2006, you wrote:
>Jim Hill wrote:
>>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.

Thanks, Aaron and Frank.  Frank has a practical idea, except nobody 
is handy.  It's a long drive to get a suitable guy and some computer 
brains or finesse is needed. It reminds me when my son was helping in 
a computer lab at a local junior college, answering questions, etc. 
He told someone he needed to put a 5 1/4 floppy in the drive before 
continuing.  The guy did, but missed the slot and the floppy was 
wadded up in short order.  I did use that approach when I retrieved 
my HRO-50 from a high shelf and a SX-28 from a bottom shelf.  I'm 
going to limit myself to one SX-28 on a moderately high shelf or a 
table top.  Enough non-computer stuff.....

Aaron - since it is a Dell, the cable has pull tabs.  The tabs are 
not strong enough for a straight pull, but will certainly help when 
used with the ribbon cable. I'd really like to get replacement cables 
with pull tabs, but can't find any.  Any suggestions as to a source?
Jim