Video of ATI Graphics Chip being reflowed

[poshgeordie]

I've just uploaded my first YouTube video showing a previously reballed ATI 7500 chip from a T40 being reflowed back onto the motherboard.

The recording was made using our custom designed macro camera system. Unfortunately I can't give too many details about the camera because I don't want other people to copy it, but the information's out there if you do the research.

I'm posting for anyone who might be interested in what happens to the tiny solder balls as they melt, and especially how the whole chip moves during the final stages of the reflow.

<Edited 19-12-10 added new YouTube link>

[craigmontHunter]

Cool - it is intresting to see what should happen when you point a heat gun/blowtorch at your computer. Now it would be intresting if you could make a video of what a heatgun actually does, kind of a compare/contrast "This is why you should trust us" type of video

[Temetka]

Cool video.

So what is the life expectancy of a machine repaired with this method?

[poshgeordie]

The life expectancy of reflowing an ATI chip which we've previously reballed on a Thinkpad is very long indeed, because a new set of solder balls have replaced the old "worn out" set. It's difficult to put actual figures on this since we've only been 100% reballing for a few months, but we know that we know that the chips have been properly soldered so we're not expecting to hear back from our customers for a long, long time.

Regarding Nvidia chips on HP's Sony's et al, we've done a huge amount of development work on the best way to fix these chips since evidence shows that there are design faults with this chip family - see here for more information - however there there also seems to be a failing solder ball issue as well and since we've started reballing these chips as well the failure rates have dropped right down.
BUT, these chips are inherently faulty and we expect there to be higher long term "reoffending" because of this but only time will tell.

Heat guns compare and contrast

I like the idea except I don't have a heat gun to do this

The big plus point of the camera is that, no matter what method is used to solder a chip back, you can watch the state of the solder as heat is applied, and by using it even a child can reflow correctly

[Tasurinchi]

Really cool video Nick! Thanks for sharing...

[Norway Pad]

Yes. Thanks for sharing the video, and all the other good information you keep on giving us here.

[poshgeordie]

Now it would be intresting if you could make a video of what a heatgun actually does, kind of a compare/contrast "This is why you should trust us" type of video

I've been thinking more seriously about what you've said - yes it's true I've never tried it with a heat gun - but to give you and example of another PC repair firm who did try it and failed and then the laptop was passed to us.

The Nvidia GPU had actually blown because it was floating on a lake of molten solder balls caused by heat being applied for much too long and I suspect they'd also given the chip a "wiggle" or two as well. Result needs a new GPU chip and there may be other component damage due to the extensive short circuiting.

Once again though I want to state for the record that people have successfully resoldered chips using hot air guns, but they are putting their laptops at some risk by doing it.

Thanks for the comments - appreciated. It does concern me that maybe the vid looks a bit clunky; it was my first attempt with no video editing experience so any suggestions as to how to improve it would be appreciated. I use the excellent LInux based Openshot to make it.

[Neil]

any suggestions as to how to improve it would be appreciated.

Well, I can't tell you how to do it, but I think it would look better if the text were overlaid on the video like a caption instead of switching back and forth between video and letter boards. Just one opinion...

[poshgeordie]

I was also thinking the same thing Neil - I'll see if it's possible with Openshot - thanks, much appreciated!

[poshgeordie]

Well, I can't tell you how to do it, but I think it would look better if the text were overlaid on the video like a caption instead of switching back and forth between video and letter boards. Just one opinion...

Your wish is my command - I've completely redone it as you suggested and it's now much better - see here.

I do recommend Openshot video editor - lightweight, simple with lots of effects etc. Pity it's only available for Linux users.

[RealBlackStuff]

Nicely done, Nick.
Just don't tell'em any of your trade secrets!