A field technician is replacing a malfunctioning keyboard in a thin-and-light laptop. After removing the bezel, the flat ribbon cable that joins the keyboard to the system board is exposed. To prevent breaking either the cable or the socket, which action should the technician take before withdrawing the cable?
Lift the locking bar on the zero-insertion-force connector and then slide the ribbon cable straight out.
Twist the ribbon cable 90 degrees to unlock the friction tabs before pulling it free.
Use a hot-air gun to warm the connector so the adhesive softens and the cable can be removed.
Pull the ribbon cable straight up with steady force until it disengages from the socket.
Most laptop keyboards use a zero-insertion-force (ZIF) connector. A small plastic locking bar or latch secures the ribbon cable. Lifting (or flipping up) this bar releases the cable so it can slide out with virtually no force. Simply pulling, twisting, or heating the cable risks tearing the ribbon or ripping the socket off the board, which would require board repair or replacement. Therefore, releasing the ZIF lock first is the proper and safest technique.
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What is a ZIF (Zero-Insertion-Force) connector?
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How does lifting the locking bar on a ZIF connector help prevent damage?
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Why should a field technician avoid pulling or twisting a ribbon cable to remove it?