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DesertSage

Q: Is it possible to reflow the solder on the video chip?

I have the classic iBook G4 problem with a bad video chip connection at the logic board. I have read in some other forums about using a heat gun to re-flow the solder. It sounds very risky, but at this point, I feel I have nothing to loose. does anyone have experience with this procedure?

Thanks,

Randy

iMac G5, iBook G3 (firewire), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on May 30, 2010 8:31 AM

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Q: Is it possible to reflow the solder on the video chip?

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  • by DesertSage,

    DesertSage DesertSage Jun 12, 2010 5:42 PM in response to spudnuty
    Level 2 (150 points)
    Jun 12, 2010 5:42 PM in response to spudnuty
    Hi Richard,

    Success! I was able to re-solder U28 with your bridging technique. Actually, I wasn't able to get the bridge wire to stick to pin #1. It kept popping off when I tried to tack the other end to the resistor. Very frustrating. I have a tremendous amount of respect for your skills after performing this procedure! I got pin 15 bridged just fine (the easy one) and then accidentally soldered pin #1 to the pin next to it. Then un-soldered it with a de-soldering pump that an electrician friend of mine loaned me earlier (that was magic!). He said I would need it for what I was up to. So true.

    Anyway, I think that I flowed so much solder into the pin 1 trace that it took. I also went around to all of the other pins and gave them a second of heat with a little pressure just for luck. The iBook is up and running with new OS software and updates.

    Thanks so much for the encouragement and great information, photos, etc. Hopefully the repair will hold for a good while.

    I'm sure we'll be talking again.

    Randy
  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Jun 12, 2010 9:20 PM in response to DesertSage
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 12, 2010 9:20 PM in response to DesertSage
    Randy,
    That's great work!
    It kept popping off when I tried to tack the other end to the resistor.

    Yah the standard technique would be to tack that one end to pin 1 and then use a clip as a heat sink while you place the other end down. I usually try to cut it to length and pre bend it so it's in the right configuration then tack the one end down and tack the other to the resistor. I use a tip that I've specially filed to be a pointy chisel.
    I flowed so much solder into the pin 1 trace that it took

    Well I hope that stays put. If you have further problems that pin has probably lifted.
    Thanks for the stars and keep us updated.
    Richard
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