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Post by bubbadubba on Jul 9, 2004 2:42:42 GMT -5
I don't know about the rest of you but in my box the USB flat ribbon header cable that attaches to the motherboard and then to the front usb/firewire panel was too short and would bind when the case was fully extended. What I wouldn't give to have it of been 1/2" longer! ;D Not only that but when I finally step up and go rounded cables I would like ALL the cables to be round. Well, to make a long story short, and allot less painful, let me just say BE CAREFUL and don't do what I did. I decided that I would make it a round cable and sliced down each wire center until I had the whole thing separated into 34 loose wires ready to be bunched together into a nice rounded cable. The only problem was that I got a bit too close in some places and had some bare spots on some wires. So 12" of 1/16th shrink tubing later it's all fixed, no bare wire, and checks out with my homemade continuity tester. It also took the better part of 4-5 hours of non stop soldering and wire tinning to get it done. Here is the result. A rounded USB II header cable that doesn't bunch up or strain when I open up my case.   I did try to find a replacement but just like everything else this cable appears proprietary to Dell. I couldn't even find the right wire count ribbon cable. If I did I would have just opened up the old connectors and installed the new cable but that never happened. I have enlisted the help of an Electrical Engineer buddy of mine and he has found a potential replacement connector from DigiKey. I'll keep you guys posted... But in the mean time if you attempt this remember that the wires are 1mm wide and the space between the wires is less than that so be careful. LOL ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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dan39
Freshmen
Resident Advisor
Posts: 44
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Post by dan39 on Jul 9, 2004 2:54:21 GMT -5
its definitely propriety, a problem people encounter when trying to place a non dell board in a dell case. very adventurous of you to try and make a round cable. something you should be able to get from dell spare parts though.
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Post by TRow on Jul 9, 2004 12:39:53 GMT -5
Nice work Dub, funny how the XPS manual says the cable is a 36 pin...similar to the FDD cable pin count. Yet, there are no grounds(no pun intended) for such a claim. The Battery circuit tester is pure genius, one Ill definately have to acquire. Good work.
T.RoW
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Post by bubbadubba on Jul 9, 2004 16:13:59 GMT -5
Thanks T.Row,
I think I'll construct my own cable soon. It would be consist of crimped and soldered gold contacts inserts on individual wires instead of using blade connectors with a ribbon cable. IMO, crimped wires on gold amp inserts is way better than trying to crimp a blade down on a ribbon cable.
Knowing what I now know, I would use the rear USB for data transfer and use the front panel for toys, entertainment and such.
Bubbadubba
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Post by dano104 on Jul 9, 2004 16:36:49 GMT -5
Bubba you da man, you got nutz the size of bowling balls, I would have never tried that. ---you get my props--
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Post by TRow on Jul 9, 2004 18:15:25 GMT -5
Thanks T.Row, I think I'll construct my own cable soon. It would be consist of crimped and soldered gold contacts inserts on individual wires instead of using blade connectors with a ribbon cable. IMO, crimped wires on gold amp inserts is way better than trying to crimp a blade down on a ribbon cable. Knowing what I now know, I would use the rear USB for data transfer and use the front panel for toys, entertainment and such. Bubbadubba Is it possible to remove the connector? The reason I ask is I'd like to sleeve the cable, with as least amount of "tangles" as possible, and removal of the connector would make this a definate must have. T.RoW |
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Post by bubbadubba on Jul 9, 2004 19:38:13 GMT -5
You could probably remove the connector but several things could go wrong. When you pry the connector open; if you damage the locking tabs along the ends it might not snap back together and hold the ribbon cable firmly into place. Also, placing a ribbon cable into a bladed connector is not so easy. If you have never done it before I would caution you not to learn how on your Dell.  Also when you go to re-install the connector onto the ribbon cable, you have to engage the connector further down the cable, avoiding the spot on the cable where the connector was previously. And then crimp the connector together and cut of the excess ribbon cable that is now hanging out the back of the connector. So the end result is a shorter cable than you started with. As far as sleeving the cable goes, I could have done a way better job of it on this cable. Understand that in order for me to "repair" some of the bare spots I had to pick a spot on the cable and cut the whole thing in two. Then I was able to repair the individual wires by slipping on some 1/16th shrink tubing, tined and soldered all the wires back together and then shrunk the four large pieces of heat shrink that I had onto the cable. I should have used a nice long piece of shrink tubing; it would have made the end result much nicer...  ![]() img46.exs.cx/img46/9662/IMG_1394.jpg[/img] If I can find the right connectors, I think I'll make a dozen or so cables, test them to make sure they're accurate, and then first come first serve to anybody who wants one. And they'll look a whole lot better than my first one! **UPDATE** I forgot to add that when this cable was off and outside of my system, I tried to boot and couldn't even get past POST. |
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Post by dano104 on Jul 9, 2004 19:56:41 GMT -5
Hey bro, put me in line for one of those babies..... you will be aptly rewarded ;D ---- it is the only ribbon cable left in my case, and i can't wait to deep six it.
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303dreams
Freshmen
Bill C / 303 Dreams
Posts: 20
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Post by 303dreams on Jul 19, 2004 15:22:44 GMT -5
note for everyone, this is NOT just a usb cable, its the "front pannel" cable, and also controlls the signal for the power/reset/standby button on the front.. i recently had a BAD experice with this cable ...
(well im assuming it has somthing to do with the power switch as well, becuase the system would not start untill i fixed it when it broke)
assuming because it being a bit on the short side, and i have opened my case alot, im thinking it put more stress on the header of the cable on the mb end, becuase when i went to pull out the cable very gently, the cabe unattached from the connector and the connector stayed INside the mb connector bvase thingy (whatever the hell it's called)
took me a while, but i was able to "re-attach" the rippon cable to it's connector, with ther pins lining up properly withg the punched holes in the cable.. was a real pain in the ass tho.. im not ever gonna touch that ting again.. EVER... EEEVVERR.. lol
actually if you find a longer replacement that does work, let me know.. i dont like the idea of such a sh*tty dell cable being relied on for the front usb/power ect.. im wondering id since my system is under lease, and still under warranty, if i should call dell and ask for a new cable.. or would they be like "Well what were you doing in there in the first place" lol...
its fine now, but i know it will happen again... allways does.. murphy's law
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303dreams
Freshmen
Bill C / 303 Dreams
Posts: 20
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Post by 303dreams on Jul 19, 2004 15:26:06 GMT -5
P.s dont mind my 37eet Grahmur skillz  i type WAY to fast for my own good sometimes cheers Bill |
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Also when you go to re-install the connector onto the ribbon cable, you have to engage the connector further down the cable, avoiding the spot on the cable where the connector was previously. And then crimp the connector together and cut of the excess ribbon cable that is now hanging out the back of the connector. So the end result is a shorter cable than you started with.
