Repair · HardSeries 5mxEricsson MC218

Replacing the 5mx screen flexi cable

The 5mx's screen cable is less durable than the original Series 5's. Every time you open the lid it flexes through the hinge, and eventually the copper tracks crack. A replacement cable brings the screen back.

Difficulty
Hard
Time
[verify]
Steps
10
Skills
Fine soldering

Is it the cable?

Typical signs of a failing flexi cable:

  • The screen is blank, garbled or shows lines at some lid angles but works at others.
  • Tilting the lid back and forth makes the display flicker on and off.
  • The machine still beeps, responds to keys or connects to a PC while the screen stays dark.

If the screen is dead at every angle, check the batteries and try a soft reset first. [Link to reset guide]

Back up first. You will lose your data.Removing the main and backup batteries wipes the internal drive. Copy everything to a CompactFlash card or your PC before you start. Fitting the new cable needs ×10 magnification and good soldering skills; if you're not confident, ask a repairer.

Step by step

    After the repair

    • Recalibrate the touch screen from the Control panel.
    • Restore your backup.
    • Open the lid gently. The new cable lasts longer if you don't snap it fully open every time.

    Disassembly steps are based on the iFixit Psion 5 teardown; the 5mx shares the same case. Parts note from Psionex. Written by [Author] · Last checked [date].