Williams Rom Ribbon cable parts???

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Help please!

Where would I go to purchase the black connectors that crimp onto the end of the ribbon cable? The connector that plugs into the MPU board.

In the process of replacing a ribbon cable on a rom board, I have broken the lock tabs off of 2 old connectors during the clamping process.

So I need to find a source to buy replacement connectors. (not the whole ribbon cable, just that end connector)
Thank you.

PS- these old machines must have minds of their own. I'm trying to get this machine ready to go so it's perfect for the Saturday party at Star Worlds with Eugene Jarvis. So of course, today the monitor decides to die. that's nice. Great timing there Robotron ol buddy.

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If you have a Fry's nearby, they usually have them is stock. Check for electronics shops near you. Those are 40 pin cables that are used in a lot of computer hard drives. So most computer repair places have them, one may be willing to sell you a couple.

ken
 
I have 3 new PC ribbon cable connectors sitting around but the darned connectors have a middle pin missing. it is a key molded right into the plastic so i can't pull. shucks!
 
I usually just get scrap 40-conductor IDE cables and cut them in two and that way the ends are already crimped on. I then just remove the cap on the EPROM board and crimp the new ribbon into place. Worked for me every time.
 
I usually just get scrap 40-conductor IDE cables and cut them in two and that way the ends are already crimped on. I then just remove the cap on the EPROM board and crimp the new ribbon into place. Worked for me every time.

The trick is removing or replacing a cable without damaging the connector. I'll never understand why Williams used these connectors on their rom and interface PCBs.

I was considering soldering in new male IDE headers on my rom and interface PCBs so I could easily change cables, which would only need IDE connectors on both ends.

Do you have any special tools for removing/replacing cables on the standard Williams rom PCBs?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
I just use a vise with a piece of rubber on each side of the ROM board to "press" the ribbon cable in place on the existing connector.

I agree, it would have been wiser for Williams to manufacture the ROM board like they did with their sound card - with a 40-pin connector instead! Cables could've been replaced in seconds!
 
The last one of these I replaced the cable on I found a used connector in a big box of ribbon cables that came from slot machines. There is a special tool for crimping the IDC ribbon connectors. I use this on the open side and the side that is soldered on the board I use a small vice. Just be sure to shim it so the board doesnt get damaged.
If you need a specific connector I can look in my box(s) of ribbon cables to see if I have one.
I use a jewlers screwdriver and an exacto knife to carefully pry the locking tab loose.
 
I just use a vise with a piece of rubber on each side of the ROM board to "press" the ribbon cable in place on the existing connector.

I agree, it would have been wiser for Williams to manufacture the ROM board like they did with their sound card - with a 40-pin connector instead! Cables could've been replaced in seconds!

I've been searching for some sort of "IDC to IDE" 40 pin connector but cannot find anything. Are there other key words I should be using? (I'm guessing that such an adaptor/converter that I could solder onto the rom and interface PCBs doesn't exist).

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
Ok, it looks as though I'll just have to go with the original cable/connector. It would have been nice to have the option of soldering in a new connector that would accept an IDE cable/connector.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.
 
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