I suppose somebody had to try it.

Useful tip - keep vodka for drinking

The card worked for just over a week after the vodka treatment, but eventually the same symptoms (--:--) returned. Cleaned again but with surgical spirit using a 'flood' technique and small paintbrush to remove whatever it is. After drying out, the board is now working again - but for how long

When I last checked a few months ago the two boards I worked on were still working.

Got the same --:-- in standby again I last cleaned 04-11-2011 and it worked fine to 01-10-2012. Not bad 11 months. I will be doing the cleaning job again, when I can get the Mrs to let me. From what I remember it wasn't hard at all.

Just re-read the instructions in my first post.

don't use booze when you probably have lots of unused aftershave to throw at it!

Another success! Maplins spray PCB cleaner and a few cotton buds did the job for me too!

Thanks Big Les. You are a legend

I've recently been told that the socket for the white ribbon cable is a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket. While I haven't checked this for myself I see no reason not to beleive the information. I didn't notice this at the time I was working on the clock problem but it will certainly make inserting the ribbon cable a lot easier on reassembly.

Tried this on my non-working clock module and it worked a treat! Didn't read the bit about the ZIF ribbon cable beforehand, but it seemed to go in & out OK, so no damage done. I used surgical spirits as I had some in the cupboard. Many thanks!

Another big Thank-you to BigLes - saved me buying another machine. When it stopped recording progs, I thought the hard drive was going, so I formatted it, started from Default, and it started recording again for about a week. This happened three times, then didn't record from standby any more. Then I saw the thread!
I eventually plucked up the courage a week ago to do the cleaning (very nervously) on the basis that the machine was pretty much useless, so if I broke it I'd have to replace it anyway. So far, it's recorded everything, and I keep a frequent eye on the display to see if the clock is still there.
The big problem was disconnecting the white cable. I had never seen the type of connector on the display board before, and couldn't see how it parted. I managed to clean the board with the cable still connected, but it was pretty awkward. Now I've seen the ZIF postings, so if or when I have to clean it again, can someone please tell me EXACTLY how is the cable unplugged? There is mention of a small latch - where is it, and how is it released?
Thank you in advance to anyone who can help me out on this.

Paul

The only information I have about the white ribbon cable connector is that I linked to in post #308 above, until I take the lid off my 9200 I'm as much in the dark as you are. Coincidentally I have a piece of equipment in bits at the side of me right now with a very similar ribbon cable and connector, it certainly isn't a ZIF connector and is far more difficult to remove and insert than the ribbon cable on the 9200.

Fixed 21/10/12 all good so far. I'll be back next year.

As far as I'm aware the two I fixed are still working, or at least the owners haven't told me any different.

I mended one of these machines for a family member must be 2 years ago and assume it is still working. I KNOW what a zif socket is and I do not recall that it was one of these.

IK

I am 90% certain that the 9200T on which I replaced the clock module did not have a ZIF ribbon cable connector.

My published instructions for replacing the module on a very early 9200T - here - unfortunately do not have a high enough resolution to show the socket in enough detail to show any latching mechanism. I no longer have the 9200T to examine, but looking at the original high-res photos appear to confirm that the socket was not a ZIF type, there is no evidence of any release flap, side latches, or slider. Of course, later examples of the 9200T may be different in this respect.

In any event it does not matter too much, because the ribbon cable is quite easy to remove and insert, provided the ribbon is held between finger and thumb as close as possible to the cable end when inserting into the socket. It should not be problem at all - unless later versions were different. I would suggest that this ease of insertion supports the view that it is not a ZIF socket.

Thanks for that JefUK, I was going to e-mail you about the ZIF socket theory when it was first mentioned but I no longer have your address. This is intriguing me now to the point where I shall have the lid off my 9200 and have a look, not just yet though.

Thank you Big-Les and JefUK for replying, and I look forward to reading your posts. A special thank you to JefUK for the photo's, they were an enormous help for seeing in advance where everything was and what had to be removed, and for your reply about how to remove the white cable next time. I didn't dare to tug at it, not knowing how much force to apply, how it was secured, and possibly ripping the cable away from it's plug!

Paul

I had a look today and there are no ZIF connectors on my example. Display still going strong after your kind repair.

Thanks for the update.

I'm attempting the clock repair, but having disconnected the small non ribbon cable I have only just noticed there are two identical sockets. However, I cant remember which one to plug the cable back into! Therefore, could someone please advise whether its the one nearest the hard drive or the other one. Many thanks for any replies

Have you looked at JefUK's dismantling instructions, also linked to in post #125. Is 'G' the socket you're looking for?

'G' is the one I'm looking for. I am very pleased to report that after following your instructions the machine is now working perfectly again!

Many thanks for your instructions.

No problem, glad to hear it.

I used Boots Surgical Spirit and followed the instructions to the letter. It boots OK and the time now shows correctly in Standby. I tried a recording from Standby, but the system froze after about 40mins, and the program it started to record wasn't the one I requested. After rebooting it freezes every time I try to view a recording and it also freezes if I try to record something.
I tried re-seating the ribbon cable, to no effect. Before cleaning the RTC I was able to record and view recordings, but not now. Any ideas on what I did wrong, and perhaps how to rectify it?

It sounds to me as though the file system on the disk has become corrupt. I suggest formatting it from the HDD Control menu item in the Record Menu. Unfortunately this will delete all the recordings.