100-series interconnect cables

Yoda

Tinkerer
Jan 22, 2023
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I have a 165c and 180, both with bad interconnect cables (the short, grey ribbon connecting bottom and top near the rear). They both have vertical lines/deformations on screen, and the 180 also has some non-responsive keys and doesn't chime.

Both systems have displayed what I think are typical interconnect cable problems before, but are much worse since I opened them up recently.

The question is: Is there any place I can buy replacements? I have no practical means by which I make my own new ones. And also, are these cables interchangeable between models?
 

Daniel Hansen

Tinkerer
Oct 29, 2021
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I *believe* the 140/145/145B/170 ones are interchangeable, and the 160/165/180 ones are interchangeable. The relevant difference being a 60 position connector / cable vs 72 respectively.

Some photos for comparison:

140.png
145.png
145b.png
170.png
160.png
165.png
180.png


I've done some very casual looking into creating new assemblies, but searching for new IDC PCB connectors with the same pitch / arrangement has been fruitless. You can reuse the existing connector with a new cable, as demonstrated here: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/how-to-repair-a-powerbook-140-180-interconnect-cable.46387/

(image credits: oldcrap.org)
 
Last edited:

Yoda

Tinkerer
Jan 22, 2023
130
75
28
@Daniel Hansen that is really helpful, thanks!!!

I don't have any hope of making new interconnects - I'm rather limited in what I am physically able to do - but I do have a couple of 'parts' PBs which might be suitable donors!

New interconnects would be a better bet if they are available somewhere, but this does give me hope for my 180 in particular.
 

Daniel Hansen

Tinkerer
Oct 29, 2021
177
133
43
@Daniel Hansen that is really helpful, thanks!!!

I don't have any hope of making new interconnects - I'm rather limited in what I am physically able to do - but I do have a couple of 'parts' PBs which might be suitable donors!

New interconnects would be a better bet if they are available somewhere, but this does give me hope for my 180 in particular.
Keep us posted! I'm curious about compatibility. If we (someone) does move ahead on a new replacement assembly, it would be good to confirm my completely wild guess. ;)
 

Kai Robinson

TinkerDifferent Board President 2023
Staff member
Founder
Sep 2, 2021
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Worthing, UK
I *believe* the 140/145/145B/170 ones are interchangeable, and the 160/165/180 ones are interchangeable. The relevant difference being a 60 position connector / cable vs 72 respectively.

Some photos for comparison:

View attachment 18613View attachment 18614View attachment 18615View attachment 18616View attachment 18617View attachment 18618View attachment 18619

I've done some very casual looking into creating new assemblies, but searching for new IDC PCB connectors with the same pitch / arrangement has been fruitless. You can reuse the existing connector with a new cable, as demonstrated here: https://68kmla.org/bb/index.php?threads/how-to-repair-a-powerbook-140-180-interconnect-cable.46387/

(image credits: oldcrap.org)
This would make a really good resource!
 
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