iRiver H10 - MK1234GAL - ribbon cable

[ceres]

Hi all ... I am upgrading an old stock iRiver H10 from the original 20GB Hitachi o a new Toshiba 120GB (MK1234GAL). The problem is the ribbon cable.

The ribbon on the iRiver slides into and out of the 20GB Hitachi fine, but when I try to attach the Toshiba, it doesn't slide in. I've given it some force, up to the point where pushing it just causes the ribbon end to fold and collapse. But it still won't go in with the smooth slide action I'd expect.

I've seen references elsewhere to trimming the ribbon cable, but I am not sure I want to do that yet. Question though -- how far back do you trim it? How far back *can* you trim it before it loses connectivity and the ribbon cable contacts won't send a signal any more?

I've looked at replacing the ribbon on the iRiver, but it's soldered in, and I can't see what it's attached to on the iRiver motherboard. Has anyone ever replaced this cable?

[burkjavier]

Had a similar problem with an iPod 5.5G, so it might apply here.  The Toshiba and Hitachi drives ZIF connectors are not the same tmk.  The Hitachi's require a thicker cable, so that might explain the issue you're having.  In the case of the iPod, I was able to just replace the cable itself.

Shaving the cable is obviously very risky - I've actually done it with external ZIF cables using a razor and a bit of luck, but these were $1 cables that were low risk if I messed them up.  I don't have an H10, but maybe check online to see if the cable itself can be replaced? 

[ceres]

Thanks Roe. That's what I am going to do -- I've ordered a ZIF 40-pin cable and am simply going to replace it. The cable has some "ears" on the motherboard side where they are soldered in. I can just snip it there and insert a new cable.