CPCWiki forum

General Category => Technical support - Hardware related => Topic started by: Phil Smith on 18:02, 22 June 25

Title: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: Phil Smith on 18:02, 22 June 25
Hi I have broken 2 pins from the joystick port of my GX4000 by simply plugging a joystick into it.  

I know they are prone to breaking. 

I'm looking to replace it with new connector which is a little more durable. 

I'm based in the UK, does anyone know where I can get a replacement from and which specific one I could use?

Thanks 

Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: eto on 18:19, 22 June 25
 I had the same issue with 2 different GX4000 and replaced it with a standard connectors that I had here. I could not find an exact replacement but the standard connectors worked fine. 

I just removed the screws on the side so it would fit into the case. It can happen that the metal shield then falls off but a bit of glue solved that too.
Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: Phil Smith on 18:32, 22 June 25
Thanks. Would this be suitable?

https://ebay.us/m/nBL87f
Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: eto on 00:36, 23 June 25
Quote from: Phil Smith on 18:32, 22 June 25Thanks. Would this be suitable?

https://ebay.us/m/nBL87f
that link does not work for me. 

Mine look like this (see attached)
Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: Phil Smith on 17:01, 23 June 25
Thanks. It looks like I might have to cut the metal on either side so it fits into the GX4000's case.
Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: eto on 19:04, 23 June 25
Quote from: Phil Smith on 17:01, 23 June 25Thanks. It looks like I might have to cut the metal on either side so it fits into the GX4000's case.

In my case it was a perfect fit. See picture attached. The left plug is the one I replaced (right arrow). On the right you see the original one. While they are slightly different it still was a good fit. The biggest difference is that the right one has a clamp (yellow arrow) so it doesn't need the screws on the side to hold the metal shield. For the replacement I simply glued the metal shield to the connector.

From the outside it's hard to tell a difference. Before I opened it a few minutes ago I didn't know which one is the original one until I saw the clamps. 
Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: Phil Smith on 19:50, 23 June 25
I was looking at it upside down. I've ordered one on eBay so hopefully it will be ok.

I'm terrible at soldering, found someone who is willing to solder it for £35 here in the UK.

Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: Phil Smith on 01:31, 24 June 25
Hi regarding the 2 rivets that are on either side, did you struggle to unsolder these? Thanks 
Title: Re: DB9 Connector Amstrad GX4000
Post by: eto on 06:46, 24 June 25
Quote from: Phil Smith on Yesterday at 01:31Hi regarding the 2 rivets that are on either side, did you struggle to unsolder these? Thanks 

What do you mean with rivet? The brackets that hold the connector on the motherboard? They need a lot of heat to get the solder out but if someone charges you £35 he should have the right equipment to do that. 

Powered by SMFPacks Menu Editor Mod