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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 16:06:08

Title: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 16:06:08
On some of my Ms with the flat cable, the end near the ps2 port has started cracking/splitting. :(

Anyone else had this happen?
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 07 October 2015, 16:11:20
It's very common the flat-cable models.  Unicomp sells replacements.
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 16:25:40
Thank you!  I don't have the sdl though, these are attached. :(

I'm thinking of just wrapping some electrical tape and calling it good.  Thoughts?
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: E TwentyNine on Wed, 07 October 2015, 16:34:10
The attached cables have a simple connector on the controller, they're not hardwired.  You have to open the case but they're easily replaceable.

But yes, elec tape or a shrink wrap would do.
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: SamirD on Wed, 07 October 2015, 18:56:37
Quote from: E TwentyNine on Wed, 07 October 2015, 16:34:10
The attached cables have a simple connector on the controller, they're not hardwired.  You have to open the case but they're easily replaceable.

But yes, elec tape or a shrink wrap would do.
Oh that's great to know!  I'll have to get a bunch of cables once I can examine and clean all my Ms.  They've just been working for the last decade in various capacities, so there's no time for invasive repair right now.

Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: 0100010 on Wed, 07 October 2015, 19:35:11
One of my flat M PS2 cables is doing it as well.  Just wrapped a short length of twist tie around it to keep it from spreading.
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: Snowdog993 on Thu, 08 October 2015, 01:51:04
You can always order the replacement cable from Unicomp.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/ACable

Just put in the part number of your Model M.
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 08 October 2015, 10:25:06
Quote from: 0100010 on Wed, 07 October 2015, 19:35:11
One of my flat M PS2 cables is doing it as well.  Just wrapped a short length of twist tie around it to keep it from spreading.
Wow, that's a very, very quick fix.  And I just threw away one of those 'wide' twist ties that would have been perfect. :(
Quote from: Snowdog993 on Thu, 08 October 2015, 01:51:04
You can always order the replacement cable from Unicomp.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/ACable

Just put in the part number of your Model M.

Yep, exactly what I plan to do when I service the Ms.  Right now, they're all being used regularly.

Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: chyros on Thu, 08 October 2015, 17:03:03
None of my M cables has ever cracked in any place. All of them are the detachable SDL type, though. The flat cable on the M2 I disassembled WAS cracked, though.
Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: SamirD on Thu, 08 October 2015, 18:08:35
Quote from: chyros on Thu, 08 October 2015, 17:03:03
None of my M cables has ever cracked in any place. All of them are the detachable SDL type, though. The flat cable on the M2 I disassembled WAS cracked, though.
The original sdl cables are stout in comparison to the flat one.  I would be surprised if anything short of harsh abuse would damage those.

You could choke someone to death with the sdl cable and then still use it for another 10 years, lol.  :eek:

Title: Re: Is Your M Cable Sheilding Cracking?
Post by: SamirD on Sun, 11 October 2015, 19:16:57
So I finally got a double twist tie from some bread I'm about to polish off and went to my travelling M and then noticed it actually has a round cable even though it has a blue label just like the one on my desk.   :-\ 

I'm confused.  Did not all Ms after a certain production date have a flat cable?