Keyboard ribbon cable issues Acer Aspire ES1-571-C55X

MarkieMAN64
MarkieMAN64 Member Posts: 14

Tinkerer

edited October 2023 in 2020 Archives
Hi there.

So I recently got given an Acer Aspire ES1-571-C55X by my work, to prevent it from going to scrap. Only saying how I got it so you know in any answer that it wasn't mines until recently, but that I know it's history more than I would if I bought it second hand.

One of its issues was that some of the keys on the keyboard didn't work. Being a tiny bit familiar with this line, I suspected it might have something to do with the keyboards ribbon cable attaching to the motherboard. Let me say here that I'm far from an expert in such things! It was just a guess.

So yesterday, whilst opening it up to install an SSD (really is such an awkward laptop to get in to!) I indeed found that the ribbon cable was quite loose, and came away from the motherboard far easier than it should have. The clips/holder (sorry, don't know the technical word) which is meant to hold the ribbon cable to the motherboard just wasn't holding it.

This meant that when I went to put the keyboard section back on, the ribbon cable just was refusing to stay where it was meant to. I suspect that previously, it was only being held in place because it didn't have enough room to pop out from the slot, and my opening it just gave it that room. I guess this might be why some keys were not working before, though if this isn't how ribbon cables work, please forgive me.

In the end, I ended up just leaving the keyboard ribbon cable out of the slot and using a USB keyboard. Not a bad long term solution to live with, if I'm honest, though the question of whether I'd have to has brought me here. Could I replace the part/have it repaired...? Does anyone have any other suggestions or follow up questions? The part can be seen in the centre of the image just below the word "top".

Best Answer

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Scotch & duct tape were invented for this very situation. Especially if the slide retainer is loose, missing or broken. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

Answers

  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    Answer ✓
    Scotch & duct tape were invented for this very situation. Especially if the slide retainer is loose, missing or broken. Jack E/NJ

    Jack E/NJ

  • Greatstuff365
    Greatstuff365 Member Posts: 1 New User
    I too have a similar problem only I broke one end of the very thin plastic bit that connects the ribbon.
    Terrible laptops to get at stuff inside as the ram card which I wanted to upgrade and was the whole point of me opening this up is actually way under the motherboard so I gave up on that one

    So to finish off, I now cant get the keyboard to work even with sellotape and I am not sure if I am putting the end of the ribbon in the right way up either, but trying to turn it round is near impossible as very short.

    I have the same prob also with the keypad ribbon as now it wont work either. if anyone can send a pic of how these should look when connected would apprec.  thanks David
  • JackE
    JackE ACE Posts: 44,868 Trailblazer
    >>>I too have a similar problem only I broke one end of the very thin plastic bit that connects the ribbon.>>>

    That's probably the black plastic wedge locking clip that jambs the ribbon cable against the contacts on the mainboard connector. You can reuse it even if it broke off the  connector. If you threw it away, a piece of credit card or similar cardboard will do the job too. Refer to this link on re-connecting it. Jack E/NJ


    Jack E/NJ