Can PS2 mouse connector be replaced? 1

[garebo]

I mangled a pin on The ps2 connector on the logitech keyboard i use for testing.
Is it easier or better to replace the cord or can i simply cut the ps2 connector off and put another one on by soldering the wires together and taping each one?
Its a standard logitech keyboard.
I am afraid that since i bent the pin quite badly and i have it straightened out enough that it works, but since i will use it for testing and that means on and off, on and off, that sooner or later this one pin will break off and become embedded in the ps2 socket of the motherboard. I managed to get one out for a customer once but i would like to avoid having to do that and fix this keyboard in advance.
Any hints would be appreciated.
thanks

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[garebo]

Sorry, my post should have said "keyboard" where it says "mouse".
I dont see a place to edit my post.
On the other hand, i imagine the advice would be the same wether it was a keyboard or mouse?
thanks



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[bcastner]

Garebo,

A very good replacement PS/2 keyboard is under US $15.

http://newegg.com/app/manufact.asp?catalog=63&DEPA=0

I bought my last one on sale:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=23-109-115&DEPA=0

for US $4.99 at my local computer shop.

It really is not worth your time to futz around with the old keyboard.

 

[bcastner]

Note too: that if you damage the PS/2 port on most computers, you are looking at a motherboard replacement.

 

[garebo]

I should have realized you would nail a penny-pincher like me to the wall, good for you, lol.

The only reason i was thinking of this was that i have a ps2 keyboard with a few keys missing, thinking i could use the connector off that. Maybe i should see if the whole cord would work as well, duh.
Or, just go buy one for $5.
What a cheap so and so I am! Notice i didnt ask if you felt that way, lol again.

Bill said:
Note too: that if you damage the PS/2 port on most computers, you are looking at a motherboard replacement.

Thats why i am being at least smart enough to repair or replace now when its only a keyboard instead of a whole mobo.
thanks, guys, i will probably just toss it, you are right, its not worth the effort.




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[bcastner]

garebo,

That sounds like a good plan.

Best wishes,
Bill Castner

 

[Frank4d]

Thats why i am being at least smart enough to repair or replace now when its only a keyboard instead of a whole mobo.
thanks, guys, i will probably just toss it, you are right, its not worth the effort."

That is what I did when my kids got in a fight over who got to use the computer. They ripped the keyboard out and broke the connector. For $20 a new keyboard was cheaper than fixing it.

 

[edfair]

How about permanently attaching an extender cable to it?
No reason to cut and solder and you should be able to replace the extender a couple of times before the pin breaks.


Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[felixc]

It depends how good you are at repairing electronic stuff. With a multimeter and a good soldering iron, swapping the cable with the one of an other keyboard is easy.

 

[garebo]

An extender would work. It only has to be put on once and left on. I am only concerned about that pin getting broken from plugging and unplugging the keyboard as its my test unit. But with an extender the prob is solved.
Sometimes the easiest, simplest solution is the best!
Why didnt we think of it til now. I feel pretty ......

Thanks Edfair

Looks like i wont need that soldering iron and multimeter after all.

However, felixc, or anyone else, i have another prob. I have a large MSI mobo that i tried cramming into a good s-ized full size case, not a full tower, but a good size.
Anyway the cdrom rubbed against it and knocked off the tiniest chip, or what looks like a chip or some sort of bridge. The mobo boots but wont finish booting into windows because of this. I wonder what my chances are of soldering it back on and the mobo working? Any hints you might have?
thanks



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[micker377]

The "tiny chip" is a surface mount cap or resister. If you still have it (and can find where it goes), you can solder it back in place with a 15 watt soldering pencil and hold it in place with a "round" wooden toothpick. Used to do it all the time when building new circuits (don't know if my hands are still steady enough!).

 

[garebo]

I have it, and i know exactly where it goes. It is really tiny as i said but its oblong and of course i dont know which side goes on which or if it matters. Guess i will have try try and find out the easy or hard way, lol.
Such a great and cool board too.
Thanks
About the round wooden toothpick, do you mean to hold it in place while soldering it in? I imagine thats what you mean by that?


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[bcastner]

How-to for the do-it-yourselfer:

http://www.zworld.com/documentation/docs/refs/TN106.pdf

 

[diogenes10]

Might get 2 keyboards at a thrift shop for the $4.99.

-------------------------------------
It's 10 O'Clock ( somewhere! ).
Are your registry and data backed up?

 

[garebo]

Bill, had to give you a star for the soldering pdf.
Now i will go look for more info on other types of soldering but the link you put up here shows exactly the chip i am talking about and how to solder it!
Thanks very much.


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[garebo]

AS for the keyboard, i will just put an extender on it, have at least one of those lying around.
You actually wanna be careful about older used units that you can pick up at thrift shops, there may be a good reason they are there and either might no be worth the trouble or money or could mess up your system too.
Edfair came up with the best answer on that one!
Its so "duh" on my end i am embarrassed to think i had to ask for such a simple solution. But, hey, you let me in here anyway, now and again i come up with something worth reading, least i hope so, lol.


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[edfair]

You need to be wary about stuff on ebay, too. And at surplus computer stores.
If it doesn't come out of a sealed static bag from a sealed cardboard box you are at risk. Not saying that sealed ones are better, because I've had my share of DOA M/Bs from bad lots.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[garebo]

I dont go near ebay myself, too many other places to get a good deal, and safer too.

Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[micker377]

Yeah, (toothpick). For small work like that, plastic will melt and metal will "flow" solder. The sharp point will wear out quickly, but toothpicks are cheap!

 

[garebo]

I have tried and so far no go. Its so very very small, even smaller than i imagined.
I am gonna try once more and then bring it to a shop.
I have a low watt iron and the all in one really thin hi-tech solder wire but this chip is smaller than fly poop.
Soldering is not my forte anyway.
Again, will try once more before i quit.
Such a cool board too!


Good advice + great people = tek-tips