Lilliput and ribbon cable problems

Udonboy · 10-05-2004, 12:40 AM

My lilliput and I havn't been on the best of terms lately. When I got it, it worked great. Then I decided that I would take it apart and test fit it in this metal bezel for it and thought everything fit great. Then I put everything back in the original frame and had problems. Luckily I got it working again, although the connection between the screen and the control board had some issues. It was really sensitive, and everyonce in awhile, I would lose the blue color and the screen would look messed up. I would give it a few pats/wacks and it would be fine. Today I decided that I would clean up the ribbon with a tissue and hopefully that'll fix it (I handled it alot when I 1st took it apart and thought that it might have been oily from my hands and thus not making a good connection). After I cleaned it off, everything went to hell. I only got a white screen, and nothing else. I found out that you get a white screen if you don't have the cable connected to the screen, so I figure it wasn't making a connection. I fiddled around with the cable while it was still connected and I could see something happening on the screen, but nothing stable. I unplugged it and tried to re-connect it. The more that I played with it, the worse it got. Now I can't even get a signal if I play around with the cable. I know that I need to get a new cable, and know where to get it (thx to you guys here on the forum. I used

).

My question: Have any of you ever experienced this type of problem of degrading quality the more you played around with the ribbon cable? Are these cables really sensitive? (from my experience, it would seem so).

CustomZ02 · 10-05-2004, 12:47 AM

I just took mine apart and put it in a black case. And had no problems. I think it has to do on how well you get that cable in. If its not in right youll have problems I took my time and had someone give me a hand holding the back piece up for me while I reconnected my cables.

gospeed.racer · 10-05-2004, 12:47 AM

My lilli-headache was similar....I found a post here somewhere that explained to orient the ribbon cable to one side or the other and it fixed my problem. I just dont remember which side it was

...And yes, they are known to be very sensitive to positioning, but one you have it set right it should remain ok.

Udonboy · 10-05-2004, 01:01 AM

Is it possible to "destroy" a cable just by handling it too much? B/c right now, no matter how well I get it seated in there, I'm not getting anything but a white screen.

choyak · 10-05-2004, 01:56 AM

I have never disassembled my Lilliput yet, I am sort of chicken because of all the problems posted here. I still just wedge the stand into the cup holder so it won't wobble and it is fine, just looks a little ugly!!!

netboy · 10-13-2004, 10:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Udonboy

Is it possible to "destroy" a cable just by handling it too much? B/c right now, no matter how well I get it seated in there, I'm not getting anything but a white screen.

me and you in the same boat....i had my lilliput housing fiberglassed into my dash, and when i put it together i got some crazy images, messed with the cable some more, it worked then didnt , now i think i destroyed it since like you all i get is a white screen just ordered a replacement....from digitalww.

PaCMaYNE · 10-14-2004, 12:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by netboy

me and you in the same boat....i had my lilliput housing fiberglassed into my dash, and when i put it together i got some crazy images, messed with the cable some more, it worked then didnt , now i think i destroyed it since like you all i get is a white screen just ordered a replacement....from digitalww.

actually everything you guys have mentioned have happened to BOTH my lilliputs WITHOUT taking them apart all within a week. I got a jurassic park symbol in mine ounce when it was connected to my pc. I got a white screen sometimes when i just turned it on (using VGA mode). It would slowly turn white on the edges and slowly make its way into the middle. Turn it off and on and it would work again. They are def not made to any high standard.

netboy · 10-14-2004, 01:08 AM

so how we fix it?

antimatter · 10-14-2004, 01:43 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by PaCMaYNE

actually everything you guys have mentioned have happened to BOTH my lilliputs WITHOUT taking them apart all within a week. I got a jurassic park symbol in mine ounce when it was connected to my pc. I got a white screen sometimes when i just turned it on (using VGA mode). It would slowly turn white on the edges and slowly make its way into the middle. Turn it off and on and it would work again. They are def not made to any high standard.

Dude... they are having a completly different problem than you are/were. You are experincing what most people do on resolution change. The jurasic park logo or some other logo from those pachinko game stations.

These guys are experiencing a solid white screen becasue the flubbed the larger ribbon cable or don't have it in properly. They probably bent it to much something, although i am inclined to think that it is the positioning of the cable as opposed to needing a new one.

I have experienced both of these problems, If you are certain that it is the cable then order a new one

Udonboy · 10-14-2004, 01:44 AM

I ordered my replacement cable from digitalww but they're out of stock. I got an email from armen and he says that he'll be getting replacement cables next week. Well, in my case, since my LCD was working great until I decided to mess with the cable, replacing the cable should fix my problem....hopefully, that is if I didn't mess anything else up while playing with the ribbon.

As for PaCMaYNE case, I have no idea what's up. Mine worked almost great when I first got it. I noticed that sometimes that the screen would decide all of a sudden to turn itself off. It happened the first few hours that I got it, but after the first day, it rarely happened (maybe once or twice). But other than that, it was fine. Normally I'd say that the unit is defective, but if it's happened to 2 Lilliputs..... Have you tried those LCD's out on other computers? If they messup on other computers, then it's definatly the LCD, but if it works fine, it could be something with your setup. Only one way to find out.....

netboy · 10-14-2004, 07:12 PM

is there anywhere else other than www.digitalww.com to get this ribbon cable?

TeaVirus · 10-15-2004, 12:03 AM

I'm not sure how the cable itself could be the culprit unless you can see some physical signs of damage. Do you have a multimeter you can test it with? I had similar problems a couple of times was always able to fix it by making sure I didn't have the cable crooked with I clamped down the socket. Anyway, I hope you're able to get it fixed.

TeaVirus · 10-15-2004, 12:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by netboy

is there anywhere else other than www.digitalww.com to get this ribbon cable?

Good question. I've been looking for some of this type of flex cable for another project but haven't been able to find a retailer for this stuff yet. Usually the company wants to sell it in bulk. I'll do some more looking and post if I find anything...

netboy · 10-15-2004, 12:40 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by TeaVirus

I'm not sure how the cable itself could be the culprit unless you can see some physical signs of damage. Do you have a multimeter you can test it with? I had similar problems a couple of times was always able to fix it by making sure I didn't have the cable crooked with I clamped down the socket. Anyway, I hope you're able to get it fixed.

my cable is fubar, at one of the bends its tearing

antimatter · 10-15-2004, 12:51 AM

Yea... You are hosed. That new one should fix you right up. BTW when you get the new one, be gentle