MP 1,1-5,1 Trouble removing 5,1 CPU cage fan connectors

[thewoolysheep08]

I'm trying to remove the CPU cage from my 5,1 to clean the fans, however, I cannot remove the 3 connectors for the fans and speaker. I have tried wiggling them for like 5 minutes but they don't move more than a millimetre out of the connector.
I have attached photos so you can understand what I'm talking about. Can anyone recommend a way to unplug these cables? I have already tried a flathead screwdriver to try and pry them out but I don't want to risk it slipping and damaging the board or something else.

Images:

https://imgur.com/a/FXcgh1s

 

[jscipione]

Take two small flathead screwdrivers, wedge them between the top of the connector and the plug on each side at the top and push down hard with both screwdrivers at the same time and the connector will pop out. These plugs are quite difficult to remove until you get the hang of it.

 

[JedNZ]

I had a similar issue, and did something similar to what @jscipione suggested, and the black plastic bit just slid off the main pins (so the whole plastic bit slid off, not just the male plug end). No damage, and it enabled me to crimp down on the black plastic area so it was tighter before reattaching and no more problems.

Cringe: one time I forgot all about the backplane plugs and was wrestling trying to get the cage off. Doh! Bent the pins really bad, but managed to carefully push them back straight again. So close to damaging it. I force myself to take my time now.

 

[thewoolysheep08]

I had a similar issue, and did something similar to what @jscipione suggested, and the black plastic bit just slid off the main pins (so the whole plastic bit slid off, not just the male plug end). No damage, and it enabled me to crimp down on the black plastic area so it was tighter before reattaching and no more problems.

Cringe: one time I forgot all about the backplane plugs and was wrestling trying to get the cage off. Doh! Bent the pins really bad, but managed to carefully push them back straight again. So close to damaging it. I force myself to take my time now.

Oh wow that sounds kinda scary, i don't have the tools to be able to crimp the connectors back if something like that happened, im planning to try @jscipione 's suggestion tomorrow so hopefully, they will come off easily. If not ill share a photo where the screwdriver went through the board hahah.

 

[thewoolysheep08]

Take two small flathead screwdrivers, wedge them between the top of the connector and the plug on each side at the top and push down hard with both screwdrivers at the same time and the connector will pop out. These plugs are quite difficult to remove until you get the hang of it.

I just tried this today and it worked, I used two very small flat head screwdrivers and slowly wiggled the connector out of each side till it popped out. Thanks for your suggestion, many thanks.