Fix Ripped Trace PCB Pad Repair Game Boy Advance Torn

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[@cozmolocke]

THANK YOU This is my second day using a soldering iron, so I’m a complete amateur. Tutorials I was following didn’t warn me that the “select” wire could rip the copper pads clean off if not taped down. Your video helped me so much. I ended up scratching off the trace running under the text SW1-2 and hooked the wire to that, and now my GBA IPS screen is working! Thank you so much! A thousand likes! Ended up uncovering some of the copper board, as well, and just used kapton tape to cover those parts when I soldered the trace just to be safe. Also placed tape all over the wire to make sure it stays in place this time. Keep up the good work! You helped out this amateur 🙏🏼🙏🏼 gonna play the Mother games in style lol

[@RetroSix]

Glad it helped ☺️

[@Orpheusftw]

Very helpful info. I ripped that pad off while removing an unwanted mod, and had no idea how it might affect the board. The multimeter tip confirmed I was lucky enough not to have destroyed the trace.

[@SoulStarLA]

I love your important point of doing repairs to where your skill level fits. Many of us forget that and attempt more complex repairs which can lead to problems instead of taking the simpler path.

[@bleed4glory10]

The absolute best video I have seen regarding this level of repair on a GBA. I struggled for days trying to figure this out using generic videos. You tied together all the tools and resources needed and a lightbulb went off for me. I feel my troubleshooting skills leveled up. Thank you!

[@RetroSix]

Glad it's useful. Jump on tiktok.com/@retrosix I post daily repair vids there

[@petruccilewis]

I happen to be dealing with this exact problem. I ripped of tp2 and part of the trace. This video is extremely useful! Thanks!

[@JeromeBeckett]

Amazing video, really educated me on a lot of the concepts of PCBs

[@snakeeater337]

Incredibly useful Luke! Have a few boards I've messed up across the years and haven't touched, so might need to try and get them working again!

[@RetroSix]

Hopefully you do. If you need any help with them just ask

[@shenmue1980]

@@RetroSix Hi, could you tell me how many millimeters thick the enameled wire is?

[@RetroSix]

0.2mm

[@shenmue1980]

@@RetroSix Thank you very much!!

[@aronoelgr]

Brilliant! thank you, saved my GBA motherboard, I took off the back light mod wire and accidently ripped one of the pads off the board for the DA1 diode. The board scans with the copper exposed helped me locate a nice place to solder a wire to. Great content !

[@RetroSix]

Glad it was useful

[@shepshep1994]

Very well described, only thing I'd add is that after a trace repair I would add some solder mask to prevent future shorts. Great video.

[@keithnoneya]

You could just use some copper foil and cut out a new pad area and run, then solder lap them, add heat resistant glue, then add green mask. It would look original and have the pad. However I do understand the need for economics and absolutely love the references for the schematic. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs up. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@lucasgrewthis2479]

This video really saved me, my TP2 looked exactly the same because I left the solder tip on it too long

[@adambailey1993]

Thankyou so much!! This is so useful! Will definitely use this to repair mine. :D

[@jordieman]

Incredible video. Thanks!

[@SimaShangde]

I used to have a similar problem on my GBC, but the damage was much more severe and multiple traces were damaged. I fixed that a little bit different way, using electrically conductive glue. It was not the easiest thing to do, but several years after I fixed my GBC it still works perfectly fine.

[@monchopr3511]

Man, great as always. Thanks a lot for this tutorial. :) Blessings.

[@RetroSix]

No probs. Hope it's helpful

[@mr.flex3019]

I am not saying this much but man you nailed it whit these tutorials😊 really appreciated it please keep doing this ❤️

[@RetroSix]

Thanks. Will do

[@AkashBhambra]

Hi bud thanks for your tutorial! I ruined my DL1 solder pads for the low battery LED I checked a motherboard graph but it seems like the track does not go anywhere else but to them points I’m guessing I would need to to wire to them points either side of DL1??

[@macadaca7038]

Thank you, you helped me save a Gameboy from the rubbish!

[@joseramos3076]

Good job!!

[@cjlough5612]

What about completely corroded pads where the membranes contact? How would you approach that? Would you at all?

[@high_voltage603]

i liked your video very much you are a pro new subscriber !!! i really want a video that teach you how to prepare new soldering iron tip and the basics of soldering please

[@RetroSix]

Thanks glad you like them. Check out my other channel AngelSix I did soldering guides there or search AngelSix soldering. I'll do new ones on this channel too

[@CooLDEaFy]

Impressive work

[@RetroSix]

Thanks

[@mikerosenbush3516]

That’s amazing work and loving the grinder tool!! Do you re-insulate the wire or areas near another trace after soldering like this? If so, with what?

[@RetroSix]

Yes, with UV coating. We have the UV torches now retrosix.co.uk/Fast-UV-Curing-Lamp-Relife-p494431802, and will stock the UV solder mask soon

[@Lasagnadestroyer]

Thank you! I just fixed my first trace. I ripped about half an inch off it. 😅

[@alvinlono]

Awesome website! Thanks

[@nurfuermist]

Nice video!

[@RetroSix]

Thanks

[@utterlyexiged]

2:59 solder blob on the right looks like a scowling chihuahua

[@daviejz6698]

Thank you, you helped me after I ripped of my TP2 trace. I thought my motherboard was ruined.

[@nachocanet4312]

Perfect!!! But what can you do when its the select button path itself which is missing or corroded??? Thx

[@RetroSix]

Use copper tape and cut it to the shape of the original button and place it where the pad was, then solder to that copper tape

[@armisael82]

Excellent video, I got my positive battery damaged and wasn't able to find it on the map

[@Mickaleb]

But what about if you need the pad to solder to that ripped off after you fixed the trace? Like what do you do after you've done what you did in the video and then need the pad that is now gone?

[@RetroSix]

I cover that first. Find a thick part of the trace to expose and attach a wire there. If there are no thick parts just expose a good part of the trace away from the break and solder a wire to the trace the same way you solder an enamel wire bridge

[@dazamad]

This was great viewing. Would you or could do a video on replacing a fpc connector. The king that flex ribbons connect too. These many different kinds. Im struggling with trying not to melt the plastic. Thanks

[@RetroSix]

Sure. Which console is best for example?

[@dazamad]

@RetroSix ive got a few psp 2000 with a broken backlight connector and another with the right flexbutton connector. But i understand if you only have other consoles. Even the nds. Just to get some knowledge on it. 😊

[@AngelSix]

@@dazamad I'll make sure to record the next time I do any FPC connector swap. they will all differ slightly but the general idea is the same

[@jamiefairlie4837]

hi i have a usb audio front board for my pc and one of the traces has been burnt out also need a new trace i tried to find a replacement for it but only amazon sell simular items but i bought 1 and doesnt fit to small unlike mine needs to be the right size to fit my case i mean usb and audio ports to fit the board sections i have been hunting high and low in where to find simular parts but having huge issues if i cant find it i tried to go to a pc shop but he was clueless and wouldnt touch it i noticed that how to fix trances on this board and now have an idea and who can fix it if your reading this send me a message on a reply and hope to chat to you

[@RetroSix]

Join our discord.gg/retrosix and share images, I am sure we can help you fix it

[@hotdogmanful]

I did it to the shoulder button on my sp lol. still need to fix it

[@Ilretromodderimprovvisato]

Buonasera retrosix, scusami la lingua in italiano ma ho un problema con un GBC uguale a questo che hai esposto nel video, nel mio caso ho bruciato la traccia p12 sopra il tasto select sapresti come potrei ripristinarla ? Grazie in anticipo se vorrai darmi una mano un abbraccio e complimenti per questo canale e tutto ciò che vendi per moddare i Gameboy !!!❤

[@ginmil3436]

Hey everyone! I just got 2 GBA PCB causing issue (no power) I've already clean them and Everything (power switch too) but I've noticed that C37 is missing on both can someone tells me if it's important? And how can I replace it!? I don't find info on those components online I'm really lost. 1gba turn on with green light on but no image no sound. The other one light just flicker then turn off in no time for image or sound. Please any advice (again power switch has been cleaned properly using soldering method).

[@RetroSix]

The C37 is not critical so long as it's not shorted. If it's missing just make sure the pads are not shorted. Jump on our discord for more help discord.gg/RetroSix

[@ginmil3436]

@@RetroSix hey thanks for answering. Yes I'll try to ask for help there cuz I'm really desperate now 😅

[@Kikimacia]

Hey ! Noob question incoming : I broke my tp2 EXACTLY the way you describe it, and it looks like yours. Then I was like "okay, I don't care about changing the brightness that much" so I removes the 3 wires totally. Since then, my shoulder buttons are totally not responding. The board right above the 2 points you're supposed to solder at the shoulder buttons is a bit burnt. My question is, can tp2 stop the shoulder buttons from working ? from your video I'd say no, but I'm pretty noob. :/

[@RetroSix]

Nope that wouldn't affect the shoulder buttons unless your joining the select and shoulder buttons to another mod that possibly shorts then together or something

[@leso204]

What about replacing touch pads ?

[@gabezornes]

What gauge wire are you using?

[@RetroSix]

This is 0.1mm enamel wire we sell on RetroSix.co.uk

[@osomdocartucho]

Man, words isn't enough to describe gratitude for your video tutorial. But, I am pretty amateur to achieve this kind of level of repairing. So, my question is: can I connect a wire directly from the select connections (that thick one in the middle that you've showed at the end of the video) to the TP2 connector that I've accidentally lifted up along with his wire? For me it's the simplest way to do this. Also, how can I show you a picture of my gba motherboard so you can understand visually what I'm saying, or a video on my channel or sending you a email with a picture. If you have a Twitter account I can mark you. Thanks a ton in advance.

[@RetroSix]

Sure just jump on discord.gg/RetroSix and share images there we can assist

[@jeetenderkakkar7570]

Hello

[@RetroSix]

How are we doing?

[@jeetenderkakkar7570]

@@RetroSix city