Chosen Solution
First off, I’m an idiot. I pulled up on the keyboard retaining flap, rather than just flipping it up, and it broke. Now, my MacBook 2.4 unibody won’t boot. I suspect, because the logic board isn’t getting any input from the keyboard. Is there a way to get a replacement retaining flap? Does someone know a way to power on a MacBook from USB or something? Thanks in advance!
Kapton low-static tape should be used to hold that connector in place. Kapton tape is used by Apple in many products to insulate possible shorting points and to keep connectors in place. Here are the Google shopping results for the proper tape: http://www.google.com/products?client=sa… If you are near an Apple Store with sympathetic Geniuses, perhaps they can hook you up with the small piece you need :)
In addition to tape (or instead of it) I once used a small, thin shim of polyethylene plastic (cut from a blister package) to hold a flat cable in place. Cut the shim to just under the width of the connector and about twice as long. First insert the cable and slide the shim on top into the connector as tightly as you can. (This is assuming the connection points of the cable are down toward the pcboard, of course.) In most cases there is a bit of space above the cable that the shim can wedge into. It doesn’t hurt to try this as it makes a better physical connection than tape.
So you basically have broken the ribbon cable from the keyboard to the logicboard of which power is on the same array? The only way to power it up without using the powerbutton would be to take the macbook apart and find the PWR BUTTON | | on the logicboard and short these two tiny connections together and it will boot. And then use a USB keyboard or something? You might think this is mental but as a “laptop” computer it is f*cked until you replace the keyboard anyway.
I don’t know that I broke the connection, but I definitely pulled off that little plastic flap that you flip up with the spudger. That’s the little piece that I know is broken. It seems useless, but must pull something tight, or something. Thoughts? New Logic Board the only option? It’s about 1/10 of a cent worth of plastic. Very annoying.
If you are sure the cable and connector are good you can try taping the cable with nonconducting tape. Not elegant but might work IF the cable and connector are good. Ralph
If you broke that connection you would need to replace the logic board. The power button cabling is shared with the keyboards connection. Most of the newer laptops don’t have the PWR area.
I’d have to agree and try the kapton tape but it’s not a guaranteed fix. Ultimately these are all great suggestions but in reality you have an almost new Macbook. If you ever need any kind of warranty service on the computer you are going to have a tough time. You are looking at $749 for the part alone. If it in in fact the logic board.
I am in a similar predicament, however, I was replacing my screen with a friend and he clumsily broke off the ribbon cable from the keyboard. I’m about to order a new keyboard to just replace that but as mjuergens is saying, would I need a whole new logic board or would simply replacing the keyboard with the ribbon cable suffice? Thanks guys.
The flap that clamps down the keyboard ribbon cable on my MBP crumbled, as well, while replacing the keyboard. I tried gently lift up the clamp and it went BLA. Tape, regardless of type, does not secure the cable tightly enough to provide a connection for the keyboard. Any ideas, besides tape alone, would be greatly appreciated! Also, I discovered why the flap was so difficult to lift up. The ifixit guides leave our one very important detail. The back side (opposite the side the ribbon cable is inserted) of the connector is the only moving part and the only part that needs to be lifted up. The guides need to be very specific about this. Perhaps these instructions were clear in the ifixit guide, and I just missed it. Either way, it is a problematic scenario for those of us who have damaged our ribbon cable connectors. Apologies for posting under “answer.” This is my first time at this forum and could not figure out how to specify that I am adding to the question, rather than providing an answer. Thanks!!
Hi i have a mcbook pro 13 the keyboard backlit doesnt work as the ribbon retainer has come of and lost. where can i get a new retaiiner to solder on it
Where can you buy a new ribbon connector? And is there any good source to let you know what riboon connector you would need? Thanks!
