Looks like another harrowing tale of a bricked Wii

[grimshaw]

So right now, my Wii's a shiny white doorstop.

I lost a solderpad and had to solder my wire to the leg on the chip. In the course of events (so to speak), some solder got itself in among the legs of the chip - and I can't get it out.

A few of the legs are basically joined by a blob of solder. Solder wick and a sucker didn't help me.

I basically have one question: IS IT SALVAGEABLE? Before I send it in to nintendo for repairs, I'd like to put it out there - if anyone has any way I can get the solder out, I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance, kids.

[whackawookie]

clean the tip of your iron so that there isnt any excess solder on it. Then put the iron on the end of one leg, as the solder starts to flow to a single side you can either use a piece of wire and grab up some solder or a pump. If you use wire do not remove the iron until you have lifted the wire. This will be a tedious task but it will save your wii in the end if you have patience

[{{909}}]

i cleaned up a wii that was a complete mess yesterday, probably worse than yours.
The key things that helped me were firstly having a very good magnifying glass over the area, its so much easier to see what your doing and secondly, use a flux pen over the area before you use the solder wick, it helps the wick absorb the solder.

If your in the UK, ill be happy to take a look at your machine too, its about £7 postage each way, less if you just send the dvd drive.

[grimshaw]

Thanks a bundle guys.

I'm going to tackle it once more tonight, and if I don't make much progress I'll get hold of a flux pen and see if that helps.

Unfortunately, I'm down under which makes shipping anywhere cost a packet.

Anyway, keep posting tips, as I'm sure there are others in my position. If I get it done (cross your fingers), I'll post a commentary.

[Critical_Impact]

If by downunder you mean Australia, try sending an email to ozmodchips.com, he knows a fair amount of installers around australia and there may be one near you that can help you.

[grimshaw]

Update, and it's not a great one.

I managed to get about 90 percent of the solder out. Unfortunately it seems all the work has had some wear and tear on the legs themselves, and they're a little bent and worn.

They were also still shorting out. I used a razor to try to manipulate them (to separate them basically). A couple broke, including what appears to be an important one (I think it's the leg attaching to pad 4?).

Is there anything I/anyone can do for me?

[dohclude]

depending on the damage, I might be able to fix it for you. I can't make you any promises, but I am pretty good at fixing this sort of thing, and I'm doing some "repairs/re-installs" for a few others right now too. Shoot me an email chuck@modawii.com

[grimshaw]

This tale gets weirder.

So I basically cleaned everything up as best I could (removed the Wiikey, etc) and tested again.

The Wii runs! Unfortunately, the drive has problems with a bit of noise and it doesn't seem to know what it's doing ejecting and accepting discs.

Weird. I'll try to get a photo up.

[spyderfreek2k]

I messed a pad up too, point "S"- on my cyclowiz that is. a friend was able to repair it, or well, so i think. I haven't had a chance to upgrade yet due to my D2B chipset. Soldering to the pins is risky business, especially when you have the soldering skills of myself, as it sounds you do. Im a pro at making big blobs on stuff....unfortunatly with this tiny mod'n, big blobs just wont do.

If you broke legs on the chip from the chip, thats not easily repairable, and sending back to Nintendo would seem like the best idea. if its leg from board, a bridge or re insert may work, posting a picture would help with an answer.

[mrdan]

The best way to fix something like this is to use a hot air rework station. If you don't have one, I wouldn't even mess with it further. Send it to a pro.