Question about flex cables/ribbons
Question about flex cables/ribbons
Hi
Just a brief inquiry: does any laptop work with any brand of flex cable or ribbon? As long as it matches the correct pin count—like 4, 5, or 10—I should be fine.
I've been dealing with a frustrating issue with my sister's laptop and those tricky ribbon connectors. They tend to loosen and won't stay in place. I've tried cutting off the damaged ends with a scalpel to expose more, and then added extra support using electrical tape, but it's always a tough balance. Either the cable is too thin and comes out easily, or it's too thick and can't fit properly. The more I adjust it, the more unstable it becomes and the connections fail.
The ribbons for this model aren't available anywhere; I can't locate them. My laptop is from 2016, so if I need the exact same ones, I'm stuck and can't get it working again.
Thanks
some cable types can work in reverse compatibility.
which laptop model are you using?
which exact ribbon cable are you attempting to connect?
I think it might be a Clevo W650RC. I searched online for a long time, but except for batteries and power packs, nothing matches this exact model. The cable I need most is the one for the power button, which requires a 10-pin connection.
You might need to swap the board power button with the one provided here: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004688860334.html. From what I understand, the boards for the button are W650RC, and the real laptop model is W650RB. Other similar models include W650S, W650SF, and W650SC. You can also try these alternatives. It’s useful to check the cable appearance to confirm the pitch, which ranges from 0.5/1/1.25mm. This detail is clarified in the description: https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Fl...r=8-3&th=1
Great. Thanks for the links.
I didn’t even consider checking Amazon. Still, ordering through there should get it to me quickly thanks to Prime.
I’ve trimmed the ends of the original cable to expose the pins under the plastic, but they’re becoming too thin to fit properly. I also tried reinforcing them with tape or paper, but that didn’t help. I’m hoping a 150mm size will work. There’s still some length left after cutting off a bit.
Looking at similar models has made me doubt compatibility—like, could something from a W650SF fit the W650RC?
Yeah, beyondlogic got there first.
😉
If possible, I'd prefer to swap out the board, but thanks for the info.
it should be the pitch of your cable.
in the description
on the amazon this is how you determine the pitch
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S...8f..._V1___.jpg
if unsure just check all three types which is the safest option.
based on my experience with laptop models
W650S W650SF W650SC
power ribbon cable should be compatible.
it's not unusual for makers to reuse parts across different models to save costs.
i own three lenovo units all featuring identical power buttons, and the motherboard was quite similar. i managed to find a ribbon cable that would connect a hard drive, even though there was no official support for it as an upgrade. they left the connection on the board, so i used it and it functioned properly.
i used a ribbon cable from another lenovo model.
Great. Thank you. 😊
The pitch should be either 1.25 or 1mm, right? 🤔
https://imgur.com/a/Oq8ziS3
This appears to be a more suitable approach. The image shows a 0.5 cable, and the Amazon link suggests the 10-pin connector should fit without trimming. Use it as is.
Thank you once more. You were very helpful. 😄 Just a reminder, I won’t attempt any changes—I tried and it didn’t work. I’ll let you know when I’ve tested it.