curious about 32x ribbon cable solutions

[Drakon]

I've been informed that the 32x ribbon cables can crap out on people. I've never personally experienced this issue but possible fixes would be good to have handy incase I ever have this happen. I came up with a somewhat insane idea...conductive glue on the ribbon cable pads...jam the cable into the connector, wait for the glue to dry...hope it works. Of course if it didn't work that thing would be glued in there and you'd be screwed...I'm curious what other fixes could be applied...perhaps something safer.

[Lastcallhall]

You could always solder the cables directly into the 32x...

[Chilly Willy]

I doubt cond glue would work - it would short between contacts. I believe I remember someone (maybe Tiido?) saying they pull the two halves of the end apart, insert some paper between the two halves, and reinsert it into the connector.

[Drakon]

You could always solder the cables directly into the 32x...

I was discussion that option with tiido, he actually did that once. However the solder pads for the pin connections are very easy to break. I've removed superfx maskroms and soldered up wires to those solder pads and yeah...it was really not fun. I was hoping for a less painful solution haha.

I doubt cond glue would work - it would short between contacts. I believe I remember someone (maybe Tiido?) saying they pull the two halves of the end apart, insert some paper between the two halves, and reinsert it into the connector.

That's why I'm starting this thread. Tiidos 32x with the material stuck between his ribbon cables just stopped working. Forcing the pins further will add stress to them...I'm looking for a more hard-wired solution if forcing the pins will make the 32x ribbon cables eventually go the way of the nes zif system.

[Jax184]

The cables themselves arn't terribly failure prone. Mostly they just get loose. I imagine a dab of hot glue in the corners would help.

I've done some work with replacing the cables as part of some greater hacks. Desoldering the connectors and soldering wires in their place is NOT a job would suggest most people tackle. It's extremely easy to ruin the 32X in the process.

[Guntz]

You guys must pick up some rather beat up 32Xes, I've never owned one where the ribbon cables were a constant problem. At the most they'd have to be reseated once and I'd never have to look at them again.

[Drakon]

Yeah I've never had a problem with the cables either but for people who do I was wondering if there was an easy fix other than the hard-wiring-from-hell route.

[TrekkiesUnite118]

In some cases it's not even the ribbon cables as my issue with the 32X Guntz gave me proved. My VA0 Model 2 was just finnicky and required either a Sega CD attached or the expansion port terminator to be connected. Reseating the cables isn't hard though. I did it numerous times in case they got jostled during the shipping.

If the cables need reseated the easy fix is to just reseat them. Anything else is going to be more difficult and time consuming than most people want to do and probably be more hassle than it's worth. If reseating the cables doesn't fix the problem, something else is wrong.

[Drakon]

Okay that's good to hear. I just don't want my 32x to stop functioning after so long I love that little tumor.

[GohanX]

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[Jax184]

In some cases it's not even the ribbon cables as my issue with the 32X Guntz gave me proved. My VA0 Model 2 was just finnicky and required either a Sega CD attached or the expansion port terminator to be connected.

And that would be the reason Sega made a port terminator!