HP-97 card reader cable problem

[teenix]

It sounds like you had some fun trying to do repairs ;-)

I used some aluminium cut from a soft drink can and made sure there were no sharp edges, but any reasonably stiff plastic of similar thickness will do. The plastic from those cheap throw away plastic food containers will probably do. These also do to put the little parts in during disassembly. Placing a thick towel or similar on the work bench may stop the little parts bouncing into oblivion.

The HP-97 service manual page 4-16 shows the procedure.

Please do not try to pull the ribbon out without the "tool" or you will damage it.

You will probably have to open the card reader and do a proper clean for the oil.

I repaired the motor shaft coupler with the method described here and has been working ever since.

https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-12...#pid110378

There are other methods, one from Geoff Quickfall

It is hard to say about card errors as there could be many reasons. If the reader is disassembled, try cleaning the head, check circuit boards for corrosion, check for broken wiring and connectors. Other tests probably require an oscilloscope.

cheers

Tony