I have had the same problem on computer motherboards. You can leverage the tab up with a very small flat head screwdriver. Works for me.

If you apply some pressure on those tabs they should unlock and the connector should come off.

Find a tiny screwdriver and wedge it bewtween the lock and the tab. Twist it to the side to give it some wiggle room and work the connector off. Once it's off, cut the lock tabs.

I've never had any lock *that* tight! Should take a little force to unmate them, sure, but not enough to damage anything.

I came here looking for help because I just did the same thing and snapped off a tab. These connectors have a lot of tabs holding them on when the connector is 2" long, and I can't seem to get a screwdriver under all of them at once. This means starting at one end and NOT pulling the connector straight off, but at an angle. Isn't that harmful as well?

I'm trying to be gentle, and I don't want to snap them all off.

Slide a credit card in there then pull out on the connector.

I have strong hands so I just grab the sides and wiggle side to side as I pull out and they come right off.

Thanks tracelifter, love the name btw, lol.

Yes, I have strong hands as well but that's usually what gets me in trouble so I try to be delicate. After trying to hold them out with a putty knife I found it wasn't necessary at all and just grabbed them with two hands and pulled. There was no need to hold the tabs out on any of the connectors, and I didn't snap any more of them.

There is kind of a trick to it, after you pull enough boards it is no big deal but the first time you are sure you are going to break something.