hmm.  this one that i opened isn't dead so i wasn't gonna be too adventurous.  but what you're saying is that that brown ribbon connector isn't just a fitted/soldered adapter?

i mean honestly the impact of this question is nothing (to me) unless anything other than floppies use that connector standard.  i don't think any do... meaning my best bet is replacing a dead floppy with a floppy.

i'm honestly thinking of going the other way and turning it into a space saver module.