Tutorial on How to properly connect the Flat Ribbon Cable to a 26 PIN 1.44MB Floppy Drive Emulator

[@ariaviolins]

You just saved my life! I accidentally disconected this in my digital piano - already thought I'd need to get it to a technician in the other town or even buy a new one. After watching your video I reconnected and it plays again! Thank you!!!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You're very welcome!

[@haylinpm8973]

Oh my god you accidentally disconnected a digital piano too? Life's crazy man!

[@mattnolan7097]

I'm in the exact boat. It's a yamaha modx.

[@YourButHed]

Same thing for me; my piano wasn’t working. This guy saved me

[@OldSchool614]

I was attaching a portable screen to a Rasp Pi and was wondering why the screen was not getting a signal. Thank you for this effective tutorial!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You are welcome!

[@Anukii]

These taught me how to handle ribbon cable connections altogether! I am trying to bring back light to a section of a device, wish me luck!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Glad I could help, and good luck!

[@brianawhite3586]

The only useful video on this that I could find . Thank you so much , you did such a good job explaining ❤

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You are very welcome, I am happy it was helpful!

[@jasonrock4308]

The only vid that was straight and to the point. I'm so happy of the time I utilized to watch this super useful vid. Thank you so much.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@jimjensen1096]

Thank you. I knew I was missing something...the locking device!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

I am glad it was helpful to you

[@designgirl1977]

​@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101is it possible to replace the part that locks it in?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@designgirl1977 You can't buy just the locking tab, but you can buy the complete SMD Terminal and use the locking tab from it. This is the complete terminal www.ebay.com/itm/196342083239

[@jaromor8808]

I managed to pull the ribbon-thing out in my Android navigation, and I could not figure out how to push it back in. Your video made me revisit that thing and I noticed there is also this gray "lever" which makes it possible to put the ribbon back in comfortably, and also to secure it nicely!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

I am glad it was helpful

[@fordprefect_amiga]

Thank you for this, I bought a custom Amiga 600 and am installing a RGBtoHDMI system and forgot how these go back together!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Glad I could help!

[@naderhumood]

Thank you Sir, you outdid yourself. Great job.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thank you kindly!

[@fabiosafe]

Great tips here, still helping in 2024. Thanks,

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Great to hear!

[@drcoolit]

if you have a link to a video that shows the various types of ZIF connectors I'd appreciate it. The type you show in this video I don't have on my computer. It seems to have a "flap" that you flip up and it's hinged on the back end so the flap rotates backwards -- I think the purpose of this flap is to clamp down on the cable end to secure it. But the slit that allows the ribbon cable to be inserted is VERY NARROW and you really need magnification to even be sure the cable is actually going where it needs to go. But some of the info I've seen on the Net show ZIF connectors that seem more "user friendly". (the item I have is a Macbook Air 2008, HDD cable insertion).

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Please watch my Garmin LCD Screen replacement videos because they have same type of cable. Here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKK0p4hmatOpprM

[@slvclw]

Hey man I realize that my gotek floppy drive adapter had the cable plugging in incorrectly. I see now from your video how it needs to be but now I’ll need a cable with one side opposite. I could get a longer flex cable but I don’t want to twist it. What cable will I need that’s 26pin flex?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You need this one but chose reverse polarity www.ebay.com/itm/333828066890

[@microlatinamicrocontrol1240]

Excellent, accurate information. Greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Awesome, and greetings from Californian

[@samrame]

Super useful. pulled out car navigation module and struggling to assemble it back. Also, my problem is the blue tape came off and I am not sure which side I need to put it back and also whether I can apply any glue?

[@samrame]

Resolved. The ribbon was not inserted correctly. Thanks much. Mechanical guy learned some electronics today! Thank you!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You are very welcome, I am glad you were able to figure it out.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Glue is not recommended because it creates a layer of non conductive material covering the pins.

[@shabbirdukandar6221]

Thanks for sharing valuable information videos. Greetings from India 🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

So nice of you, thank you!

[@sideburn]

How flat can you fold and bend those white cables?

[@GalileoFigar0]

Thank you very much. That was very helpful.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You're welcome!

[@diegoforest]

Thank you! straight to the point.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thank you!!

[@NathanEllery]

Thanks, helpful video. Emulator has a pin connection, not for ribbon so I assume I need an adapter. I'm replacing a floppy drive on a Korg X3 keyboard that the belt has failed. Also, what supplies the power to the emulator?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

If your original floppy drive has 34pins, you need an emulator with 34 pins like this one www.ebay.com/itm/392206963196

[@PeterBurton-s6x]

Extremely useful thank you.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You're welcome!

[@XI_Message]

What if the retaining tabs are broken? What hack can be done to create a shim that will put enough pressure below on the non-conductive side to create a secure connection on the upper-conductive side? I have a button deck that has one of these FFC connectors with no tabs on each side. The retainer seems to be designed to push the data ribbon under the non-conductive side to get the conductive side where the pins make positive contact with the connectors mating pins. I would think a shim of some sort could be attached to the underside of the non-conductive side of the data ribbon sufficient to create a tight connection since finding the replacement retainer tabs is nearly impossible. Also do you by chance know the technical name of that style retainer clip because that is the style I am challenged with fixing, the others use a flip-up style retainers where there are no tabs per say but instead a plastic bar that pushes down to make strong mating possible. If so I might them have a better chance at finding a suitable replacement avoiding the need to try hacks and use hot glue or silicone to reinforce the connection to make due on the damaged clip (lacking the original retainer).

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Greetings, you can find the entire connector, including the retainer clip on AliExpress. In order to find it, you need to know two things the number of pins and the frequency of the pins in millimeters. Normally the frequency is called as pitch and the pitch is either 0.5 mm or 1 mm. The number of pins in this video is 26. So if I want to find this connector on AliExpress, I would type the following 26 pin SMD connector 1 mm pitch

[@artkaboom]

Very helpful video, many thanks!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You're welcome!

[@richardj779]

Thank you for this tutorial. It helped me a lot

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Glad to hear that!

[@Nusremmus]

as I was pulling the ribbon cable out something sprung and flew away. I think it was the compressor mechanism. What does it look like so I can find it ?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You need to search for 26pin 1mm pitch flip down locking tab

[@Nusremmus]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Thank you. I may replace the connector, but not sure the project is worth it.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@Nusremmus I agree it could take more of your valuable time than buying a new one of these.

[@graysonhobbs5147]

this helped a lot!! thanks!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No problem!

[@alexanderkebede1569]

How I am going to prevent the wear on the connector since my ribbon cable is moving back and forth. Any idea about the best connector or ways to avoid stress on the connector?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

There is usually a piece of clear or blue plastic on the back of the conductors at each end of the cable to make it thicker inside the plug, so it can get a good grip. Sometimes these pieces of plastic come off and it causes the cable to fit loosely and not make a good connection.

[@ruineves7859]

pulling the cable like in the video to show or verify a secure/strong connection is safe for the cable or the connector ?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Yes it is not recommended but the cable is very strong and you can't break it by pulling it. You could however break it by bending it back and forth several times. The tension on the cable may cause damage to the connector, or the connectors locking tab, but in my case it worked great even after that demo.

[@slooky14]

I cannot get my ribbon cable to work. I had to bend it to get it in. Is it possible that I could have broke the wires inside?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Yes that is possible, they are very fragile and if they break internally you can't even see it from the outside. So to be on the safe side I recommend replacing the ribbon cable. They are widely available on eBay.

[@slooky14]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 thank you

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@slooky14 You are welcome

[@satejredkar2064]

Good Sir Please also let me know diff zif connector opening Nice focus of camera

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No problem!

[@gilbertoflores6324]

what to do when plastic locks get broken on the fixed side (board)?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You can get the whole connector from Aliexpress and just use the plastic part. Here are some example www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832651472323.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.21.ba4e65eezlp0mY&algo_pvid=bc006239-0943-40d9-8209-5c5afa3f0cba&algo_exp_id=bc006239-0943-40d9-8209-5c5afa3f0cba-10&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21USD%212.69%212.29%21%21%212.69%21%21%402101d8b516976078890275857e22a2%2165024179993%21sea%21US%21721036174%21&curPageLogUid=3tc4qsWMihKm

[@BETA3605]

Very useful video thanks

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thank you very much!

[@RajaRaja-cd1xs]

Thank you sir. I don't know the technique.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You are welcome

[@vinutubevids]

Disconnected my laptop inbuilt keypad by disengaging flat flex cable and connected wireless external keyboard....but the problem is laptop power button also disconnected as a part of inbuilt keyboard....luckily my laptop provided with reset button with which I'm switching it on...so my question is...can I connect flex cable partial points to the connector so only power button works?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Yes you can but you have to trace it to the power button to identify it first. Once the pins that are for the power button is Identified you can cover all the rest with a clear tape and only leave the power button pins uncovered. Then slide it in like you would normally do. Make sure to use a very thin tape or else it will not go into the connector slot.

[@vinutubevids]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Yes thnx for Ur reply.....traced n covered remaining with clear tape....traced using other youtuber video....he was saying it's comman for all...

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@vinutubevids Good job, now you are a computer Surgeon!

[@vinutubevids]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 🙏😀

[@jonatascosta9296]

Obrigado Senhor, eu te amo!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thank You!

[@Demosophist]

No matter how careful I am I can't get a connection. I've tried several new FFC connectors and it's always the same problem. If I push from the outside on the pins I can get continuity, but I'm pretty sure that's not the way it's supposed to work because there aren't any little tiny men around to keep pressure on.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

I think the reason is a defective FFC Connector slot, either the tab is bad of the slot itself has widened and can't hold the cable tight. There are two different solutions to this problem, one is to change the connector, the other is to directly solder the the cable to the board.

[@Demosophist]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 I've tried four different FFC connectors, so I'm pretty sure that's not the problem. To tell the truth I don't understand how the PCB tab is supposed to work. Why would you have to press on the place where the traces connect to the "fingers" in order to get continuity? That's on all 22 connections (4 are obviously nulls). My impression is that this is the way it's supposed to work even though it kind of defies logic. There's something about this tech that I just don't understand. Also, it wouldn't do any good to solder the "fingers" directly to the board because they don't make a connection unless there's pressure. Again, I just don't understand what's going on.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@Demosophist There must be some type of loose connection on the board itself, check for cold soldering or cracks in solder joints.

[@Demosophist]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Well, I have concluded that the stress placed on the FPC strips because of the ways I had to modify the FFC molex connections broke or cracked the connection between the fingers and the traces. This explains why pressing on that joint re-establishes continuity as long as I continue the pressure. I don't think there is any way to come back from this, so I've given up on the keywell PCBs as unsalvageable. I plan to manually wire the the switches, and have worked out the routes for that. There are 5 diode routes and 6 key switch routes for each of the two keywells. It shouldn't be difficult to use single strand wire for the key switch connections.

[@ryanschoop2808]

Thank you for this!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

My pleasure!

[@merrygwolf4629]

I opened an Asus laptop and the blue tabs were already facing up exposing the blue tab above and no below

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

That means that the conductors are on the bottom, and the locking tab is on top, so the blue plastic has to be on top. The blue plastic must be on the same side where the locking tab is located.

[@merrygwolf4629]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 Aha.... You're a hero. Thank you.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@merrygwolf4629 My pleasure!

[@kennieceanne]

Wow! Thank you for this video i was so much searching on how to connect those ribbon cables to pc. I removed my pc keyboard ribbons and on inserting them back most of the keys didn't work and those few that worked they typed a different letter or number bt the touchpad is ok. Thou some liquid spilt of the pc and I cleaned it no issue with power. Since the keyboard is malfunctioning I cannot power on using the power button. What else could have gone wrong.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No problem, sometimes the pins on the cable bend backwards and get damaged so check to see if that is the case. If there are no Pins and printed conductive carbon linings then they must have gotten wiped losing their conductivity. One more possibility is that water must have gotten inside the plug where you plug in the keyboard, and it has created oxidization which prevents conductivity.

[@hisyst]

Very good nice and fantastic

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thanks a lot

[@huthk1382]

Thank you so much dude

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No problem

[@jagganarendra3955]

How do I find the pitch size ?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Use a metric ruler and see how many conductors are in one millimeter distance. If the there is only one, it is a 1mm pitch, if you see two then it is 0.5mm pitch and if you see 4 it is 0.25mm pitch.

[@jagganarendra3955]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 i used ruler and there is 14.5 mm width i devided with 28 conductor's + 1 (29) = 0.5 mm showed... Is this correct

[@jagganarendra3955]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 28 pin 0.5 mm pitch B type flat cable..!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@jagganarendra3955 Yes 0.5mm pitch is correct but now you have to see if it is forward polarity or reverse polarity.

[@jagganarendra3955]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 reverse polarity so its B type.... Thanks for your information sir.. ♥️ very clear explanation 🥰

[@aliseditz538]

Sir if 26 cable connector short what happened?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Hi, You can buy any length cable from eBay. They are very cheap like a few dollars for example here www.ebay.com/itm/164335875868

[@aliseditz538]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 I don't need buy cable

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@aliseditz538 If the cable is too sort you have to buy a new one, if the cable is electrically short circuited you will still need a new one, and if you cut the cable short the shiny conductor pins will not be visible to make a good connection.

[@akhilaramachandran2785]

if short happend what 26 cable

[@johnnyrooks]

I need help my ribbon cable has no way to get the ribbon out…no pins no black bar

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Some are compressed inside the plug and the only way to remove it is to de-solder the plug from the board. The 2nd types include pressure grip where you push the cable into the slot and force it out of the slot. On the third type the conductors are not flat metal plates but actual skinny round wires that are attached together in a flat ribbon shaped cable. On these kinds the actual connector splits open to release them, and snaps back in the lock position to hold them together.

[@sajujosaph4240]

Help full

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

I am glad to hear that!

[@baseline4102]

Thanks alot that helps

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No problem!

[@alanchong3897]

Sir..can I use glue to fix the ribbon with it end blue one

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You can only use glue on the back side of the cable to put back the blue plastic piece. You cannot use glue over the shiny silver terminals. Even the slightest amount of glue on the terminals will block the conductivity of the cable.

[@alanchong3897]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 very much thanks sir

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@alanchong3897 No problem sir

[@Weedknight-oi9zc]

Thank you

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You're welcome

[@YoussefHesham-jw2oj]

How can I email you urgently?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Hi, you can use the contact page on our website which is www.buygreeninc.com

[@paramanandchandawarkar2046]

👆👆👍👍👍👌👌

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thank you

[@Georgesoprano91]

What if I have no locks

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You can buy the entire connector from eBay, and just use the lock out of it. Sear ch for SMD 26pin Connector 1mm Pitch

[@ManikumarVsupramaniam]

❤

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Thank you

[@kittenro6362]

THANKS!!!!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No problem

[@baghdadiabdellatif1581]

You plag the cable in revers!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

No I didn't, but it may seem as if I did since on every item the polarity is different.

[@baghdadiabdellatif1581]

@@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101 i have the same connector for my rt809h adapter, and yesterday i did it with your way and it didn't connect, and when i flep it it connect.

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

@@baghdadiabdellatif1581 OK, thanks for your input

[@tania908]

More cable, please sir

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

Sure I will do some more cable related videos.

[@mr.chisels729]

Great explanation!! Thanks!!

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You're welcome!

[@jabezh5370]

What should I do if the black plastic tab of the connector broke off?

[@TECHNOLOGYTIPS101]

You use a thin film to slide in with the cable making it thick enough to stay secure and keep a good connection. This is not a 100% reliable fix, but if you want a reliable fix you can buy the flat connector from eBay and just use the tab from it. You can get them from eBay linked here www.ebay.com/itm/225330703254