Reflow or Replace Motherboard on T43

[usadan]

Hi...So it seems my T43 need some solder reflowing. I haven't been able to find a current recommended vendor to do that. I live in San Francisco. I am not comfortable doing that reflow stuff myself.

I've also thought I could just replace the mother board. I am reasonably comfortable doing that kind of thing myself usually. Money is not a huge factor, but limited downtime is.

Any suggestions?

[ajkula66]

What symptoms is your T43 showing, and what's the full 7-character model number?

[poshgeordie]

Before doing anything +1 on Ajkula66 questions

If it's a reflow job, as a general rule reflowing a T43 is not a DIY job because of the metal top.

Also are there red or black dots around the graphics chip or stips of clear epoxy around it?

A good reflowing company will remove these before doing a reflow - clear epoxy has to be removed using a special solvent and I know GPU Medics can't do this (this is from another forum member in a post).

Also because the clear epoxy extends into the first couple of solder ball rows, the chip needs to be removed and reballed so it's an altogether more complex job for the reflowing company.

Again any company that attempts to reflow without removing the clear epoxy is wasting your time and money.

I also have to say that when we're reflowing T43 graphics chips that the Southbridge will also need to be done - I predict this will be the next big T43 issue as they get older.

As to reflow or replace?

I recently paid a lot of money for a couple of refurbished boards from normally reliable sources in US and Malaysia, and in both cases the Southbridge soldering failed within a month.

I'd suggest you find a US company who are competent in doing this work for you. That way you should be getting back a good reliable board.
We can do this for you in UK, but it's too expensive due to carriage costs.

[RealBlackStuff]

Poshgeordie, open a branch office in the USA, or team up with e.g. GPUM, tell them you want to use their equipment for a short time.
Then fly over once a month and do your magic!

[poshgeordie]

Poshgeordie, open a branch office in the USA, or team up with e.g. GPUM, tell them you want to use their equipment for a short time.
Then fly over once a month and do your magic!

Don't give me ideas RBS! I'll set up in your spare bedroom and you can be my "beautiful" assistant....

Seriously though, maybe I should be thinking about franchising Reflow Repairs in US and Australia.

[RealBlackStuff]

We have a large den that is under-used...

OTOH, I just found another reflowing/reballing outfit in the USA who may be able to work on Thinkpads:
http://www.firstphasetech.com/index.html
First Phase Technologies
2640 W. Medtronic Way
Tempe, Arizona 85281
Phone: (480) 967-1100