Practicing - Think I'm ready?

[Brownflem]

'Lo all,

I have been reading lots - this board is a huge help. This is my first post.

I have a Wii with the legs cut. I've been practicing grinding and soldering all week! Today my new soldering iron with the needle tip finally came in and it did a world of good in my opinion. I don't think I bridged any of these connections. This is an old dvd drive board.


Picture 1 (http://www.meanbiak.com/images/Solder/Solder(1).jpg)
Picture 2 (http://www.meanbiak.com/images/Solder/Solder(2).jpg)
Picture 3 (http://www.meanbiak.com/images/Solder/Solder(3).jpg)

For size comparison:

Size Comparision (http://www.meanbiak.com/images/Solder/Solder(4).jpg)

[Lush78]

looks good... give'er

[Xboxmodder999]

While not the cleanest job ever, it isn't bad.

You shouldn't have any problems installing the mod.

[TinyBilbo]

I have a Wii with the legs cut. I've been practicing grinding and soldering all week!

Got My wii waiting for me when I return home in 3 weeks - It's brand new so it has probably got the pins cut off the chip - Can you please tell me how you ground the pins down so that I get an idea of the technique.
Thanks

[Brownflem]

While not the cleanest job ever, it isn't bad.

You shouldn't have any problems installing the mod.

Thanks man. I'm workin' on it

[Brownflem]

Got My wii waiting for me when I return home in 3 weeks - It's brand new so it has probably got the pins cut off the chip - Can you please tell me how you ground the pins down so that I get an idea of the technique.
Thanks

Grinding is really not the hardest part. I think it's the tiny soldering. I guess it all depends what you're good at.

Something really interesting that I found is that is that you can grind down just a little bit (not even so the pins are showing) so that you create an indent, put a little flux on some desoldering braid and heat it up and it'll melt the plastic right down to the pins very cleanly. When finished there is a wet residue that I guess is flux - not sure. But the pins are perfectly intact and exposed. I am not using this method because I don't know if this is "healthy" for it or not and I am unsure of what the "residue" is and what it's affects are to solder.

I found that this Dremel bit works best for me on the lowest setting (or a bit more). I can come at the chip from the top OR I have found that coming at it level to where the pins would start and grinding the plastic right off is really effective.

Dremel Bit (http://www.meanbiak.com/images/Solder/Dremel.jpg)

good luck! I know that I'm nervous - but hey! whats the worst case scenario? - - $ 250

[drsquirrel]

Looks ok.

Although I have no scale to go against, I have a feeling them legs are slightly wider than the ones on the Wii...

[Silver Surfer]

Looks ok.

Although I have no scale to go against, I have a feeling them legs are slightly wider than the ones on the Wii...
I'd agree here.
But that big square MT1189E chip in the centre looks about the right size and pin width IIRC ... might be worth having a go on that first and see how you do :)

[Brownflem]

Looks ok.

Although I have no scale to go against, I have a feeling them legs are slightly wider than the ones on the Wii...

I added a size comparison picture in the original post - check it:D

[williewonka]

i have done a fair few of the wii with the legs cut off your pics look ok but when you gind the wii down to get to the points take into account that there is no leg at all to solder too and there is less that a fraction of a millimeter between points :) but i sure you will manage fine :)

[drsquirrel]

I added a size comparison picture in the original post - check it:D

Yes defo bigger.

Practice soldering onto the biggest chip in the middle, that is giong to be more like the size of what you will do in the Wii.

[Brownflem]

Yes defo bigger.

Practice soldering onto the biggest chip in the middle, that is giong to be more like the size of what you will do in the Wii.


Will do. Thanks for the help.

[TinyBilbo]

good luck! I know that I'm nervous - but hey! whats the worst case scenario? - - $ 250

Thanks for the info And good luck to you too!
Also let us know how you get on.....

[Brownflem]

Welp, I tried the mod last night. No success.

I didn't ruin the Wii, but I must not be making contact somewhere as originals work but backups do not.

Once I got in there I decided on doing the "repair the pins" method. I decided to do it this way because I felt it would be easier. My thinking was that if I failed this way I could still try the wired method - which is what I need to do now.

Wish me luck on my repair.

[TinyBilbo]

Once I got in there I decided on doing the "repair the pins" method. I decided to do it this way because I felt it would be easier. My thinking was that if I failed this way I could still try the wired method - which is what I need to do now.
Wish me luck on my repair.

I was going to try that method 1st as well....
I'm sure you'll manage your wiring in the pics looked good enough.
Let us know how it goes

Oh, and good luck..... :)

[Brownflem]

ARGGHH

I give props to all of you who do this without issue. It took me a good 10 times of re-opening and re-soldering to finally get this installed. I guess I am just not as good at this then some.

I modded my Xbox without issue - remember the dreaded d0 ? But this one gave me headaches.

In the end, my mod is just about done. I just need to put it back together without the connection coming apart.

Thanks for everyone's help. As I said before, this board is a tremendous help!

[drsquirrel]

Opened 10 times...? You can run it whilst its open you know...

[Brownflem]

Opened 10 times...? You can run it whilst its open you know...


I know. I know. NOW I KNOW. After the 8th or so time..

[TinyBilbo]

It took me a good 10 times of re-opening and re-soldering to finally get this installed.
I modded my Xbox without issue - remember the dreaded d0 ? But this one gave me headaches.


In the end which method did you use, The grind way or the repair pins way,

And yes I do remember the xbox - however I had to the original homebrew mod which was 32 wires - all on the same size as d0!!! Now that was a b***h!!!

Anyway well done mate hope your enjoying your newly modded Wii.

[Brownflem]

In the end which method did you use, The grind way or the repair pins way,

And yes I do remember the xbox - however I had to the original homebrew mod which was 32 wires - all on the same size as d0!!! Now that was a b***h!!!

Anyway well done mate hope your enjoying your newly modded Wii.

Ewwww. 32 d0's ?! ewww..

I grinded 3 separate times to finally give me the connection I wanted. I then put a bit of flux on some desolder wire and heated it up on the 3 pins. This melted the excess plastic away and gave me a clear connection to the pins.

[Treatment X]

Working on my first D2C as well, will post pictures when done. Actually i'm done with the grinding, it's just I ruined my fine tip and have to get the new tip in. Here are the pics of a grinded away IC, like the original poster said, it sounds scarier than it really is. You just have to take precaution... here are my 2 cents

1. Always have all your tools ready.
2. Use the lowest setting on your dremel, and be gentle. Don't be scared, but don't be reckless.
3. Grind, then look, grind, then look.
4. Use a compressed air-can to safely and effectively blow away debri.
5. Always use soldering paste/flux and a fine tip, world of a difference.

Before
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/medavid16/Before.jpg

After
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/medavid16/After.jpg