5 Posts
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644
December 4th, 2022 09:00
Vostro 5402 not working the touchpad!
Vostro 5402
Hello, i got an Vostro 5402 but my Touchpad its not working and i run a Diagnostic to find the error, its saying the cable from the Touchpad is not working... i opened the Laptop and the cable seems fine, the little "black lock" where you put the flatcable was a little loose but maybe the problem is the cable?
Error code 415
No Events found!
filbert
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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December 4th, 2022 10:00
For videos, it depends upon what you're trying to do. Google:
replace ribbon cable connector flap - Google Search
If it's loose even when the flap is fully closed, you may need to add a strip of paper or plastic on top of the cable to make it fit more tightly. If the flap doesn't close properly, that's a different issue.
For tape, even regular electrical tape would likely be okay since it's not in a high heat area. That tape is good to 80° C. For higher heat locations you would need special heat resistant tapes.
How could the cable be too short?
Is it the original cable? If it is, then it cannot be too short. If the touchpad previously worked, then the cable is not too short.
Did you replace it?
Check the contacts at the end of the cable. Do they look perfect? If they look chewed up or some of the metal strips have shredded or folded back, then you would need a new cable. You could check with Parts-People.com to ask them, though they don't have a touchpad in stock for your model. You could ask about just a cable. You could also ask Dell, if it's a relatively recent model. I made both suggestions in my first post.
filbert
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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December 4th, 2022 09:00
It sounds as though your system does not detect the touchpad. The cable should not be loose in the connector. As it's loose, that may be the problem, since the system can't get a consistent signal through the touchpad cable and motherboard connector.
On older Dell laptops I've seen, many such cables also had a stiff blue pull tab at each end. If the blue pull tab has detached, the cable won't have the necessary thickness to seat tightly in the connector.
I recently worked on an 11-year-old Inspiron. The blue pull tab fell off a ribbon cable when I opened the connector, perhaps due to the adhesive aging and becoming brittle. I used a drop of superglue to refasten the blue pull tab to the cable, after which the cable held securely in the connector.
If you cannot find the blue pull tab, you will need to find a similar material to fasten to stiffen and thicken the cable to make it suitable for reconnection.
You could contact Parts-People or Dell to see if you can buy just the cable.
FLCordis
5 Posts
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December 4th, 2022 09:00
The cable is purple, and the conectors have like a little held black piece that is little loose, but i think the problem its the cable.
Very similar to this cable, but purple/pinkish'.
filbert
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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December 4th, 2022 10:00
The connector is hinged and flips open or closed. You must flip up a hinged flap on the connector, then carefully slide the cable out of the connector. To reconnect it, carefully slide the cable into the connector, making sure it's fully inserted. Then flip the hinged flap down to lock the cable in place.
When closed, the cable must fit snugly. If it's loose, that's a problem. If you think both ends of the cable have the stiff pull tab intact, then perhaps try adding a piece of tape or something to help it fit more tightly in the connector.
If the hinged flap on the connector is missing or broken, the cable will never fit securely unless you tape it down or replace the hinge (which you'd need to get from another motherboard, there are YouTube videos showing how to do it).
Until the cable fits snugly in the connector, so that the contacts on both cable and connector form a good connection, it will not function.
FLCordis
5 Posts
0
December 4th, 2022 10:00
I will try to place a tape on top of the flap to close more properly.... the cable size is perfect, i'm just saying some cables have some free size, that one is the perfect size, maybe its because of that its loose, but idk.
FLCordis
5 Posts
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December 4th, 2022 10:00
Yeah, the touchpad hinged flap seems a little loose, i will try to put a tape (Is there no danger of the tape melting? Which tape would be good to use?)
The flat cable looks little shorts, that could be the problem... i will try this solution first.
Can you send me the videos? Just to get some knowledge.
FLCordis
5 Posts
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December 4th, 2022 15:00
Yo, some updates with photos, and one question.... on the ribbon there's a "MB" and "TP" and i think MB is for the motherboard and vice versa, but in the motherboard there's a "TP" written (Last photo)
Looks a little bit loose, right?
The write:
filbert
4 Operator
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1.8K Posts
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December 4th, 2022 15:00
The MB end of the ribbon connects to the motherboard. The TP end connects to the touchpad.