Comments on: How to fix broken keyboard connector on laptop motherboard

By: Zac (Singapore)

Zac (Singapore) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:57:34 +0000

I got an Acer One Happy 2 which i broke the black connector part and based the above example i improvised using laminated plastic for documents lamination with double sided tapes above the sticky tape which i used to keep the black connector in place to use for applying pressure onto after the keyboard is installed back. Thanks all for all the suggestions and it all works well for me now and do away with my newly purchased USB foldable soft keyboard. Thank GOD.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:46:59 +0000

I bought an ACER netbook with a non-functioning keyboard off Craigslist. I took the keyboard off and the clip was not only broken but gone. I had no luck researching an FDC replacement clip. In my researching a fix I came across this site and the post of the x-ray film solution gave me an idea. I cut out a flat piece of the stiff plastic wrapping everything comes in these days. I cut it as wide as the ribbon cable and about 3/8 inch long. I inserted the ribbon cable and then inserted the strip I made on top of ribbon cable and underneath the row of 24 pins. I rounded the corners slightly to keep it from damaging the ribbon cable. It took me about 15 minutes with a needle nose pliers and flat head screw driver but the thickness was perfect and keeps the keyboard ribbon cable nice and snug. I am typing on my fully functional keyboard right now without the clip and I couldn’t be happier. I just said goodbye to my external USB keyboard.

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:34:08 +0000

@ Silviu,

i have a dell inspiron 1545 .. i have broke the locking clip and lost it.. then i have broke some pins from connector base

If pins inside the connector are damaged, I don’t think you’ll be able to fix it.
The keyboard connector soldered to the motherboard. I guess you’ll have to replace the motherboard or use it as is with the external keyboard.

By: Silviu

Silviu — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:24:29 +0000

hi .. i have a dell inspiron 1545 .. i have broke the locking clip and lost it.. then i have broke some pins from connector base… how in earth i can make my laptop keyboard work again.. i am bored to use external keyboard … any help here ?

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:10:01 +0000

@ Alex,
Thank you very much for your suggestion. I published it in the main post at the very end.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:06:55 +0000

I found another way to fix it…
Have you lost the broken “Locking clip”?
Then do this…
Get some “electrical tape” on the back of the “flat cable” to make some “thickness”.
Make sure you are putting the tape on the right side, where there are no visible connections…

Then very carefully push the cable into the connector… It will not come loose and the keyboard will work just fine!

Duh!

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:30:43 +0000

@ Mark,

I have an old IBM Thinkpad R40. It no longer gets power, it looks like the outlet where the the charger connects broke-off. How easy is to repair that. Is there a manual to help?

Here’s the service manual for ThinkPad R40 laptop.
Disassembly instructions start on the page 63.
The DC jack is attached to the harness. You’ll have to disassemble the laptop, unplug the damaged DC jack harness from the motherboard and replace it with a new one.
It look like eBay has only the DC jack without harness. Search for “ThinkPad R40 jack” on Amazon, you should find the harness, not just the jack.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:05:53 +0000

I have an old IBM Thinkpad R40. It no longer gets power, it looks like the outlet where the the charger connects broke-off. How easy is to repair that. Is there a manual to help? Thanks, Mark

By: cj2600

cj2600 — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:49:54 +0000

@ Roxane,

Hi, the small ribbon connected to my touchpad toshiba satellite pro m10 laptop is broken and its not working. Where can i get a replacement and what is the correct name for it?

I don’t think you’ll be able to find this part anywhere. It’s not sold separately.

By: Roxane

Roxane — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:50:22 +0000

Hi, the small ribbon connected to my touchpad toshiba satellite pro m10 laptop is broken and its not working. Where can i get a replacement and what is the correct name for it?