G46 teardown gone wrong, help!

Hello all, and thanks for reading this.

So this morning I just received my brand new G46, that I ordered from HIDevolution, and after the first time start up and cloning the drive onto an my Samsung 840 that I bought in anticipation, I opened up the computer to change the hard drive. It's the second time I teardown a computer, and last time it went flawlessly, so I was pretty confident, maybe too much. So basically I broke something inside. This part circled in red.

(the picture is from Coderedpl guide, sorry Coderedpl for using this without your consent, I'll take it down if it's a problem).
Anyway while trying to deconnect the cable that part broke off with it, I don't know if it wasn't glued enough, or if I simply pulled too hard on the cable. And that part seems to be the part that connects the power button to the battery so I can't start up without it.
And that's not all, I tried to re glue it, aaaand it broke in half.

and my computer with the part missing

So basically, my question is, is this repairable, or has my computer pretty much turned into a useless brick. Also, I don't have a warranty since I ordered it from the US, and anyway it would be void anyway if I opened the computer.
Thanks in advance for any help

 

That looks like under the keyboard/touchpad area you are talking about? Trying to get my bearings from that first picture

EDIT: Looked closer and compared to some pics I had taken, and yeah that looks like it's under the touchpad/keyboard area on the top panel... For others interested in doing this, you don't actually have to remove any of those connectors to access the HDD/SDD. All you have to do is remove the screws as marked in the pics in the teardown thread on the bottom and a couple at the top, pop the back speaker cover off, and the top panel/keyboard/touchpad assembly unsnaps and comes off all in one piece... there's plenty of cable slack to leave these connectors attached and gently lay the keyboard to the side still attached. Then unhook the battery cable and the HDD cable from motherboard, swap drive caddies and install new drive, plug back HDD cable and battery power cable to motherboard, and snap top panel/keyboard back on and reassemble.

It's possible a computer repair shop could fix the broken connector, best I can tell from the pics the connector popped off the circuit board and can possibly be replaced and reattached. Or, I'm sure Asus parts store will sell the parts or even their repair locations could fix it no problem but not sure what they would charge, biggest question being new parts availability. Good thing is it's not the motherboard or something really expensive that broke.

Sorry to see this happened, I know it has to be frustrating.

 

Yes, under the keyboard, the connector attached to this cable.

 

Yep, that's the cable I just left connected and never unhooked as its fairly long. It shouldn't have broken the connector when you unhooked but things do happen unfortunately. My best advice would be to have Asus send you a new top panel unit and you'll be good to go unless you have a good repair shop nearby,

 

Would it be too much trouble for you to make a step-by-step guide with pictures and only necessary steps on how to only remove and replace the hard drive? That would help immensely if you were able to!

 

Hmm, does Asus have any technical support for this issue? Maybe try calling them up? Owh man, this is a really sweet new laptop!

 

The board piece should have a part number on it. You can then google for it, or send it in for RMA and pay for the part.

 

Did you just pull on the cable or did you release it first by raising the latch?

 

I just pulled on the cable, the connector didn't have a "release latch", I just wasn't paying attention.

I sent ASUS an email, I can send it back without warranty, so that's what I'll do. Since it isn't really available anywhere, I don't think the parts will be available yet, either. I just wanted to get it fixed before I got back to Italy where I study.
Anyway, can't wait to get it back working, cause it really is a sweet machine. I might try to make a guide so people don't make the same mistake as me.
And thanks for all your help!

 

EDIT: Oh the opposite side, that is a funky connector, why on earth not just use a latched one :/

 

If I remember correctly the white part on the connector IS THE latch. I don't remember using any force at all and I do remember unlatching.

 

Serious question, wouldn't simply taping the ribbon onto the motherboard solve the problem? Each lead is visible on the PCB.

OP, What did Asus do for you, just sell you the whole circuit + labour cost?

 

Yes taping could work, though it would of course need to be electrical tape and be done very carefully so it wont shift once the machine is closed up.

 

I'm guessing just buy the replacement part from Asus. Gotta be extra careful and gentle when working on laptops.

 

Tape would be best used as a stopgap while waiting on the replacement parts, if the cable shifts it could cause shorts.

 

I think next time just unhook the keyboard from the motherboard side, that side has a latch. That's the way I've always done it and never had an issue.

 

Sometimes those latches can be delicate but that's oart and parcel with working in notebooks.

 

Sorry to bring a old thread back from the dead, but it looks like like whoever/whatever soldered that zif connector on did a poor job. If it was soldered correctly you should have ripped the pads from the board, and you should have a few stuck on the connector. With that said if you can't find a replacement board just have that zif connector soldered back on. I would think any computer shop should be able to do it if they know what they're doing. Shouldn't cost much either.