couldn't fit display ribbon input into it's correct place

trying to replace the display on my old trusty 30gb video ipod, and the display input wouldn't fit into it's target location. did i order the wrong product? I figured i had two options, jamming the ribbon in there or modifying the ribbon to fit correctly. After examining the ribbons circuits, I made out two connections on the furthest right aspect of the input that seemed to lead nowhere, while the rest of the connections traveled all the way into the display module. I went with my modification option and using an exacto-knife, i trimmed off as little as possible from what i assumed was the side that could afford a loss. I could then fit the input into it's target location and secure it without jamming it in there. However, I appear to have been mistaken, as the best outcome i received after playing with each connection was a bright white screen with nothing else. I realize it was stupid to cut up the very product I received, but what else was i to do? do i order another replacement part and try again, or is my ipod just too old to fix?