[SOLVED] Where the heck do I plug this in?

[bagley777]

Very sorry for the stupid question, everyone. Not much of a tech person. My laptop was giving me the ‘no bootable device’ error so I decided to try unplugging it and plugging it back in. The drive itself is on the plate that lifts up so it automatically got unhooked when I opened my laptop. I now have no idea where I’m supposed to reattach it? (Drive should sit next to the battery above the fans where there’s a space, of course)

https://ibb.co/y4YBzWM
https://ibb.co/ygQx04K
https://ibb.co/42wc5wz

 

[Ralston18]

Make (Acer?) and model laptop?

Not sure about the photographs and the orientation.....

My first thought was that the ribbon cable had detached from some end connector that in turn connects to the motherboard.,

The photographed black ribbon cable has a blue label with "MB" printed on the label. MB likely meaning "Motherboard"....

Possible cable match (verify the model numbers).

https://www.amazon.com/Deal4GO-Conn...ocphy=9007868&hvtargid=pla-942382424362&psc=1

Are you able to lift up the plate, take a couple of photos of what is there. Then post accordingly.

In any case there should be a port to the end connection to insert into and lock in place.

Look first and see if you can find the port. Motherboard' s PCB may be labeled in some manner regarding the drive's connection port.

However, to be sure: go to the manufacturer's website and look for the applicable laptop User Guide/Manual. Or even a maintenance manual.

Just do not randomly plug the ribbon cable in somewhere.....

 

[bagley777]

Make (Acer?) and model laptop?

Not sure about the photographs and the orientation.....

My first thought was that the ribbon cable had detached from some end connector that in turn connects to the motherboard.,

The photographed black ribbon cable has a blue label with "MB" printed on the label. MB likely meaning "Motherboard"....

Possible cable match (verify the model numbers).

https://www.amazon.com/Deal4GO-Connector-AN715-51-AN715-51B-NBX0002C000/dp/B08578GX4N/ref=asc_df_B08578GX4N/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459410835726&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16296210914673667819&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007868&hvtargid=pla-942382424362&psc=1

Are you able to lift up the plate, take a couple of photos of what is there. Then post accordingly.

In any case there should be a port to the end connection to insert into and lock in place.

Look first and see if you can find the port. Motherboard' s PCB may be labeled in some manner regarding the drive's connection port.

However, to be sure: go to the manufacturer's website and look for the applicable laptop User Guide/Manual. Or even a maintenance manual.

Just do not randomly plug the ribbon cable in somewhere.....

I apologize for not being clearer, I felt I was being really stupid and this would be a quick and easy fix for someone else’s eyes, but I understand how hard it is to tell what’s going on based on pictures. Thank you so much for taking the time to try to help
Yes, acer laptop, and that is the cable design! MB does stand for motherboard I assume as many parts that connect to the motherboard have the same label. I just can’t find the connection port on the motherboard, that’s my entire issue. I don’t work with laptops though and don’t quite know what I’m looking for so this could be a really simple case of something being overlooked. The drive goes in the area I’m including in this next picture, and the cord isn’t long so it must go somewhere close... but all ports that I see look as though they’re already attached to something so I’m at a loss. One image shows the bottom plate with the drive on it being lowered to where it be if I closed the laptop up.
https://ibb.co/KWPCQdt

B22-B0-D8-F-44-AD-4-FF8-A394-600-F6-EEDC515

Image B22-B0-D8-F-44-AD-4-FF8-A394-600-F6-EEDC515 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

https://ibb.co/JRry7Ps

30946347-5-D42-4026-BD02-9-C12-A6411500

Image 30946347-5-D42-4026-BD02-9-C12-A6411500 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

 

[bagley777]

I apologize for not being clearer, I felt I was being really stupid and this would be a quick and easy fix for someone else’s eyes, but I understand how hard it is to tell what’s going on based on pictures. Thank you so much for taking the time to try to help
Yes, acer laptop, and that is the cable design! MB does stand for motherboard I assume as many parts that connect to the motherboard have the same label. I just can’t find the connection port on the motherboard, that’s my entire issue. I don’t work with laptops though and don’t quite know what I’m looking for so this could be a really simple case of something being overlooked. The drive goes in the area I’m including in this next picture, and the cord isn’t long so it must go somewhere close... but all ports that I see look as though they’re already attached to something so I’m at a loss. One image shows the bottom plate with the drive on it being lowered to where it be if I closed the laptop up.
https://ibb.co/KWPCQdt

B22-B0-D8-F-44-AD-4-FF8-A394-600-F6-EEDC515

Image B22-B0-D8-F-44-AD-4-FF8-A394-600-F6-EEDC515 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

https://ibb.co/JRry7Ps

30946347-5-D42-4026-BD02-9-C12-A6411500

Image 30946347-5-D42-4026-BD02-9-C12-A6411500 hosted in ImgBB

ibb.co

The other two images are close ups of nearby ports

 

[Ralston18]

No apologies necessary. You are correctly being careful. That is not "stupid".

In the first image (ending in C515) to the "left" and sort of "behind" the pink wires - is that a port?

Not really sure, but even if it is a port - it must be identified to be certain regarding its' use and purpose.

Two options:

1) Go online to Asus's website or otherwise find the applicable User Guide/Manual for your laptop. The maintenance manual would be even better if you can find it. The objective being to read the applicable chapters or sections regarding drive replacement.

2) Cautiously go online to search for and view YouTube or other videos regarding drive replacement in Asus laptops.

NOTE: I underscored cautiously because some videos may not be applicable, completely wrong, poorly/painfully presented, etc.. And there is always the chance that some bogus sites will turn up.... At the first sign of any website issue - some fake warnings and so forth. Exit immediately.

Key is to just watch a few videos and maybe one or two will reveal the location of the "missing" port. Verify the port location before proceeding with any connections.

In the meantime someone else may read your posts and be able to via your photographs point out the port location. That is good too.

 

[hang-the-9]

I don't see any blank areas on the visible part of the motherboard for that connection, it may be on the other side. If you can't find any space on the visible side of the motherboard that is really the only other option. The cable length is what it is, so it has to be somewhere in the reachable area for that connector, it can't be anywhere else and it could not have just disappeared, so it's somewhere you did not check yet.

 

[bagley777]

I found it by looking up videos as suggested, thank you SO much. I was feeling so very lost. It was hiding under some black tape. And lord was it a pain to get plugged back in!