[A6] Ribbon controller removal

[CoolColJ]

Frok Mike Peake


> The ribbon is bolted to the base of the
> front panel by several small nuts. You'll
> need an appropriate nut driver to get them
> out (don't try pliers, needle-nose or not).
> Then the connector from the ribbon to the
> PC board, which is probably hot-glued down.
> Pry off the hot glue and it should slide
> out afterward.


how to remove top of A6

Basically, the screws right along the seam
in the rear all come off (only the ones right
along the seam), the screws along the endcaps
on the bottom of the machine, as well as the
four screws under the mod wheels, and the row
of screws just behind the keyboard screws that
secure the ribbon along its length. You grasp
the endcaps and "open" them out a hair, then
lift the front panel directly off of the base,
moving around a little so that it clears (there
are a couple of things it may catch on). Once
clear, you can flip it and lay it up away from
the base of the unit. You'll be able to see the
tiny screw that goes up into the plastic cap
from underneath the front panel. Don't screw
it in all the way as it will put a bump in
the cap. Just keep contact with the cap as
you screw it down to make sure that it's
set. The front panel goes back down over
the base in the same way; "open" out the
endcaps at their bottoms and work the FP
over onto the base. Align things and screw
on the rear panel seam screws as well as
those along the endcaps on the bottom. Now
the screws under the wheels. You may have to
get a screwdriver through the holes to line
them up. Now the same thing for the ribbon,
which is the worst part of it. You have to
use a screwdriver to move it into line in
order to drive in each screw. Power up and
make sure that it works :-)

You may wish to take a look at the cables
and make sure that they are all seated
correctly before reassembling the unit.