:: The One with Tapes! #2 ::
The lappie cable, well, didnt last the previous temporary fix.
Totally unwilling to make HP dealers fat, I decided to cut the cable open to try and rewire it.
The cable has two cyclindrical layers. The outer layer is like braided silver coloured wires while the inner layer is a bundle of insulated wires. Take caution while exposing the wires.
1st, you need to get your hands on some normal electrical wiring. Cut a length off from one and strip the insulation to expose the copper wires.
Wrap the exposed copper wires around the insulated 2nd layer, making sure that the wrapped copper wires encircle both ends of the braided 1st layer wires to ensure there is electrical connection.
Get some good quality insulation tapes, not the lousy ones in the previous post. A good roll from 3M can cost in excess of RM40. Wrap the vulcanized insulation tapes around the exposed cable area, tugging the tape with force.
WARNING: DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT EVER EVER EVER NEVER EVER SOLDER the copper wires to the braided wires. I learnt it the hard way and that took me hours to rectify.
Almost done now. The remaining issue is the possibility of snapping the newly wrapped joint again. When that happens, I dont think I can save that RM290 anymore.
Ever wonder what use is an Ikea pencil besides to tulis tulis?
Yeap, use it as a splint.
Its a tad crude. But it works and there is Rm290 saved.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Hahah are you providing IKEA their free PR service? Good idea though.
RM290 is costly bro… But then the A4 tech adaptor costs “only” RM150+- in Miri PC fair, so it should cost less around KL area then…
June 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Excellent! Rewards for ingenuity…
June 11th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
kitkat : nah was looking around at home for something hard and short enough. was thinking of snapping a chopstick and then i saw the pencil lying around.
entahlah, i think these things better get original cuz i’ve heard of burning motherboards b4.
boone : thanks boss!
June 12th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
not bad.. especially the pencil trick.. was thinking about some satay sticks or even toothpicks as substitutes?? but good job… =)
June 12th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Got your inspiration from your first aider days? N how long do you plan for this to last? Oh btw, how old is your laptop?
June 12th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
chee fei : the pencil just happen to be there and it was just the perfect length! bluek. thanks.
vincent : nah, was never a first aider. once a scout, always a scout! anyway, lappie’s around 1+. i think.
hopefully it should last quite a long time. normal electrical wiring once balut-ed with vulcanized insulation tape lasts forever.
June 12th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Haha. Keep the spirit up!
Hmm.. About the same age as mine.. Mine’s a Compaq C2000 or was it C3000? Can’t remember.. What did you do to your power cable for it to be like this? Mine still looks fine. Did you roll it up tightly?
June 13th, 2009 at 1:23 am
vincent : honestly have no idea what on earth happened. look like a roller of a chair caught it. but it being at the joint, i suspect its a case of repeated bending right at the joint that made it gave way.
June 15th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
ok… apart from your excellent DIY….
your nails seem black and dirty…hmmmm
June 15th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
grace : i bite my nails. =p
June 19th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
i swear you’re McGyver.
June 19th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I swear you’re MacGuyver.
June 20th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
justin : lol thanks justin. think of it as a hobby(desperate way to save $$)