I Couldn't Let TronicsFix BEAT ME So I Replaced His APU! But Did It Work?

[@TheCod3r]

Hey everyone. Please say thanks to TronicsFix by checking out his channel 🙏 youtube.com/@Tronicsfix

[@bl1gh7y]

Wondering if you may be up for taking a look at my neo geo? Works fine with all official carts but won’t work with my terraonion flash cart, I have a new voltage reg coming i’m gonna change but if that doesn’t fix it im gonna need some professional help 😨

[@computinglemon]

This little series is getting awesome!

[@pcjc2006]

Already a fan lol

[@frankrizzo890]

Be sure to give a shout-out to Scottie!

[@donaldmickunas8552]

I found out about you from TronicsFix. 😉

[@zierlyn]

Ultimately, rather than a working board being the marker for success, I think identifying the actual fault would suffice. It would have been nice to see if the short still existed without an APU attached to the board. I would say confirmation that it is in fact an internal short would count as a win by default, as there never would have been a chance for a repair from the start.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

Sometimes identifying the actual faults are near on impossible. Or at the very least, a complete waste of money (aka Time) to figure out. You could test every trace and realize one buried deep inside the pcb is broken for god knows whatever reason. Then you are out the time figuring it out, and have only located a lack of continuity, Not an actual fault that caused it. Ultimately your learn nothing and gain nothing, and lose time/money.

[@KrGsMrNKusinagi0]

@@crisnmaryfam7344 but if it if you do find it and find a pattern in other boards with the exact same spot then it would be worthwhile.. maybe to find a manufacturing defect etc or whatever

[@donaldmickunas8552]

@@crisnmaryfam7344 Besides, he has already taken a lot of time so far. Probably more time than one would take on a typical repair before calling it irreparable.

[@polygaryd]

I was thinking the same thing. Test the board for the short after taking the original apu off. Not sure why he didnt do that before potentially wasting a reballed set of chips by soldering them on this board.

[@MrFujack103]

This is the problem when trying loads of ideas and not methodically addressing them then testing over and over. I’m a mechanic and it’s so easy to make new fault while trying to solve others. Grab a cup off coffee and write down what you did then see where you might of missed something.

[@Heatlink1]

The efford that yout put in trying to fix this board, just for the excitement and success feeling, is heartwarming, keep the great work!

[@aladdinalmasabli4382]

I think it would have been a good idea to inject voltage after removing the APU and see if the short was still there (before moving the chips)

[@noth606]

It eats time, if it's not your personal box it's often not worth it.

[@thelifeaofyoutuberday5822]

Did you ever remove/replace/fix the spot where you attempted to bridge over a blown fuse?

[@mojouk8935]

Impressive i haven't see anyone on this platform attempt to fix the APU even the bigger channels, amazing work! a lot of the channels just say its not worth the effort nor time! I bet tronicsFix is amazed at the lengths your going to try and fix this board!

[@denman123456]

Hey Cod3r, it looks like the number one mistake that you made was if there was a short on the mossfets you should've first taken off the app and then check if the short are gone. If they were gone then it would definitely be the apu fault. Also the apu does look like it isn't seated properly, looks like the board warped from the heat.

[@numberyellow]

i was gonna say that too, about the board, it does absolutely look like it's bowing... if that's the case, then it can be guaranteed that not all the connections are being made.

[@philmorton4590]

Thanks for the video, it was great to see the full process to replace an apu. Answers the question why people prefer to replace the motherboard when large soldered chips are possibly damaged.

[@voeguy]

It looked as though the board had warped due to the heat or lack of support. Might be worth re-flowing the APU with the board heated evenly and better support under the board.

[@deniscanaya]

If you have taken the APU off that board, you may wanna check for short circuit on any (main or sub) power rails that go to the APU ( directly on the mask at the BGA landing spot ). Remove all the RAM at the same time and check for shorts to ground for signal lines , vcc, clock (anything else required) and check for good continuity of signal paths for RAM that goes back to the APU.

[@SidneyCritic]

This is the 2nd time this week I've seen a repairer pull a chip and NOT check if the PCB is still shorted, and then promptly blown something up again.

[@pmyhill]

Can't wait for part 3 Phil !! Changing all the components would still make it the same board 👍 (well, serial number wise anyway 😂)

[@monad_tcp]

Real fix, ordering a custom PCB from PCBway that's fixed and putting the old components. How hard can it be creating a custom motherboard ?

[@misi3837]

I like these honest videos without fancy KZbin studio, where even sometimes a repair is not successful. Super, keep it up like this and many greetings from Germany

[@nickf223]

Came here from Steve's channel and I love the consistent uploads as well as the more in depth repairs. Good job

[@Tink-GB]

Too messy a worker for me this channel person...only came over to watch this challenge too like you...Good try I suppose but after seeing the reflow by EVGA gotta hand it to the Taiwanese..reflowed a new GPU in 30mins

[@dobbs.]

I love watching both yours and tronicsfix videos I think its great you repair some stuff that would end up as e waste. There needs to be a legal requirement to make big companies make things so they can be repaired!

[@TheCod3r]

Thanks bud, I agree, unfortunately manufacturers seem to like paying off the governments 😞

[@StormsparkPegasus]

The planet will be a mostly uninhabitable wasteland within 50 years. Companies and rich people will still be complaining about money even when the planet burns around them and they all die.

[@philmorton4590]

Well, in the production process there are always going to be rejected stock that might get though testing, the longevity of electronics come down to quality and ease of use. Computer towers allow for upgrades to get around issues, but complete items such as tablets, consoles and phones have to be compact for ease of use and suffer alot more abuse so the soldering will give out eventually. It's the software updates that dial down performance to get you to upgrade that I personally find offensive.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

@@philmorton4590 Plus, things that are easy/relatively trivial to fix, but the manufacturer says "you have to buy a new one". I mean, yeah, an APU failure isn't nearly as much of a right to repair issue as a bad fuse or a bad capacitor.

[@philmorton4590]

@@StormsparkPegasus I would love to see less ewaste out there, but watching Ipad rehab you see the real wear and tear on items, just dropping them can knock components off or uncouple the boards. Agreed in consoles and Apple macbooks their are really cheap capacitors in use and there should be repairs and diagnostic services for such like louis rossman, but there is a point when a device is over 4 to 5 years old, where you must have got your value out of the device and upgrade is inevitable if not required.

[@lostconciousness4255]

you're a brave man putting your hand on that apu while powering it on.

[@Sax1989]

Love the Fools & Horses reference, that show is absolutely timeless.

[@Maxloader]

I found your channel because of this challenge. IMO it's still a win as long as you are using the board provided by TronicsFix. regardless what APU is installed. And i would say it's a tie whenever for example inner traces of the PCB layers are shorted.

[@brunodsozza]

Don't give up, this PS5 saga is really interesting, please do part 3

[@mediatour8898]

Replacing the part would be a win, that's not a problem at all!

[@ilikewatermelons494]

Could not wait to watch this been following this mini series and I want to see more collaborations between you and other repair KZbinrs like Steve or Vince

[@YogSothoth1969]

I am sure you will finally get it running! In german we have a saying "Aller guten Dinge sind drei", meaning it takes three attempts to successfully complete the task. So yeah, you will make it!!! Cheers, Michael

[@lea-rw5cb]

The codr3r,tronixfix, and my mate vince have helped me a lot with electronics keep it up guys 👍

[@CountZero20XX]

Really interesting to watch. Thank you for the explanation on the workings of the BGA machine and what the process of replacing that type of chip actually entailed.

[@jackblack7198]

don't give up and make more videos like this. I totally enjoy it. Greetings from Northern Germany

[@qusayzokary1060]

It does not matter if it worked or not You are always the winner I love what you do You are genious

[@speedpuppy638]

Holy smoke of Mother Flipper 🐬 Not only the perfect amount…it’s also the Optimal amount 🌟🌟🌟 🙏

[@uhsul]

I loved the chip replacement segment especially because we're seeing the "feet on the ground" aspect of electronic repairs (done perfectly in time lapse) Great video altogether.

[@Lougardeixion]

Philosophical question: Even if Phil managed to make the motherboard work after changing so many parts, would it still be the same motherboard? Ship of Theseus Paradox!

[@sunofabeach9424]

yes as long as you don't pay for a new one it is still the same motherboard

[@brettbobbrettbob1232]

Triggers broom springs to mind.😂

[@MarkLada]

That sounds kind of like the dilemma I have with my wife.. She's had tons of work done since we got married.. It started with a nose job, then a boob job, butt implants, lip fillers, liposuction, another nose job, two more boob jobs, calf implants, thigh and tricep implants, and finally a tummy tuck.. If my attorney can prove she's not the same woman that I married, I won't have to pay alimony..

[@mjc0961]

Not a philosophical question: yes it is the same motherboard. The motherboard refers to the board itself. If I upgrade my PC with a new CPU, memory, and graphics card... I removed components from the motherboard, and installed new ones. But guess what? Same motherboard. It's no different here just because things are soldered instead of socketable.

[@Lougardeixion]

@@mjc0961 ok, another question for you then. Do you think Steve's limited console that he replaced the motherboard still the same console? If he informs a potential buyer that he motherboard is not the same, does the buyer have to pay the full price?

[@ControleXecute]

for a ps4 you need to replace 3 things in order for the console to work, not just one: the APU, the Syscon (usually marked as A0X-C0L) and the flash (usually a tiny spi chip)

[@ControleXecute]

another remark: they have to belong to a working board of the same type

[@rickithacker]

You definitely need some merch on your shop. T-shirts with cod3r on the back of the collar and f7002 on the front 👌

[@ronniecunningham9145]

Definitely a win for us who haven’t done this before and get to see this can’t wait to get some stuff taken apart someday :) awesome video man

[@jifalck]

I have more anticipation for the season finale of this "mini series" than I have for most actual TV-shows. Have my upvote, good Sir, and give him (Steve) hell!

[@rogermclean5891]

Awesome to hear the board is getting utlrasonic cleaned. I asked Steve if he was going to do it to be more handsoff cleaning.

[@dodgem259]

Question: Is it due to camera angle because the APU looks like it has not sat properly due to pcb flexing during the reflow process because if you look at the video of the reflow process, once the solder balls start to melt you can see the right side of the APU is nearly touching the PCB but the middle part of the chip you can clearly see the solder balls. If the pcb has flexed ever so slightly the APU will not sit properly and thus cause shorts. Go have a look at the video where you reflow the APU. It just does not look like it is sitting properly but as I said could this be due to the camera angle.

[@Xeno274]

I‘m with you. Thought exactly the same thing. Either the board is bend or there were missing supports under the PCB on the reflow oven. Hopefully the APU survived anyway. EDIT: I also think the uv mask was a bit to much in height.

[@crisnmaryfam7344]

@@Xeno274 boards are often bent in the first place you just never notice it. Nvidia puts a bend in the pcb from the factory as when the heat of the thing operating causes some warping. If you watch gamers nexus latest video about EVGA's last GPU "hoorah" they explain this quite in depth, they even go as far as to lower the temp/raise the temp of the board when lapping the die (the actual GPU die) to help that deflection be prebaked into the flatness, helping the thermal paste not to crack when running -110c.

[@supers54]

This, board is clearly warped too much for a successful BGA reflow.

[@jordandegraw1459]

You can put a piece of wood underneath the board and screw it down, it helps reduce the warping

[@TopsieT]

My thoughts exactly - BGA reflow is a real PITA and hats off for getting the APU off without destroying the pads (I never managed, was going have a side hustle replacing sockets on mobo’s!)

[@tazman272009]

its never wasted time pal but learning you will do it

[@markverklas6603]

I sure thought you were going to have success but it was fun, nice job on that re-balling

[@CyGogetenks]

Always enjoy watching these competitions between fixers, especially the banter. I've watched as much game relatable content to help keep my consoles in working order. I try and repair until it completely fails 🤣. Anyway just wanted to say thank you, Steve and everyone else that's doing content like this. Can't wait to see the one more attempt, have heard the BLOD is nigh impossible to fix, would love to see figured out as well! Good luck in your repairs!

[@iNubpwn3r]

Hey mate, I started watching and subbed a week ago and now I cant get enough of your content. I learned a lot in that week and if Im at work and cannot watch you, i at least listen. Keep up the fixing and good luck to you.

[@madmatt2024]

I'm kind of wondering why you didn't remove the APU first and check if the short was gone before replacing all of those other chips? It would have confirmed if the APU was causing the short and could have saved you A LOT of time.

[@ryanabarca8616]

he probably more concerned about making good content(long) than actually fixing the board

[@realKoinzell23]

I have no idea what you are doing but i did saw the last vid the determination earned my sub.

[@RimeoftheAncientGamer]

I don't think it's wasted time at all. It's instructive and also shows why people are hesitant to attempt this fix (for a variety of reasons).

[@TrueBeastWhiskey]

I'm rooting for you to be successful in your final attempt! Looking forward to the video.

[@paulfox89]

Hi Cod3r, I was watching the latest Gamers Nexus video where they were moving a GPU chip from one board to another using BGA station in a EVGA repair centre. The technician used a tool with a tiny little suction cup on the end to lift the GPU die off the board. Seems easier and handier than trying to use tweezers IMO.

[@jontait1095]

Sometimes those small suction tools can make the chip move around too much knocking small components around it. But they are good in some situations. I use tweezers aswell it's what you feel comfortable with I get a good grip with tweezers before heating that way like I say I dont knock stuff off that I dont want off

[@Elektronikreparatur_Annaberg-B]

but a BGA machine like that costs around ten times more than this one he used :D

[@Motohax0r]

Pros need a brace/jig for the apu, typically if it has any sag like that (you can clearly see the corners of the apu sloping down which means the the actual chip is bowing) unfortunately this is common with pros. Not as bad as ps5 boards tho 😅

[@hadesmcc]

That was a heroic effort! Loved the video and your willingness to take a stab at it.

[@pjretroredux]

ahh sometimes we have to walk away from a repair. it sux and as engineers we hate being beat. Good vids fella as always.

[@low_re8094]

Great effort, and lots of respect for giving it another go!

[@GYTCommnts]

I love both channels and your collaborations are great! Hope to see more in the future! 💪

[@TechMDYoutube]

I never once have seen anyone put conformal coating like you did with the APU. I’ve done tens of thousands of Xbox 360s and PS3 back in the day when they were breaking nonstop and we never had to do that. Do you find that it brings your success rate up? We had a very high success rate. Also one thing I noticed is that you did not use air PEN to pick up the chip. We had one that we can plug-in and it would suck up any chip. Halfway through the video but very good content very entertaining. You certainly know what you’re doing. Also that’s the first time I heard about ultrasonic The motherboard afterwards. Any reasons behind that? Is the leftover flex become corrosive?

[@dekky3908]

Damn, I wanted to see it working too. Either way, it is always a pleasure to watch a master at their craft.

[@BattercupTwo]

At least it is fun to watch. Thx for the video bro

[@bikkiikun]

FYI, Renesas is the semiconductor business that spun off from NEC, and joined with semiconductor divisions of Hitachi ad Mitsubishi.

[@binarybox.binarybox]

Well done for trying., Phil...we can learn from finding out what can go wrong. I once had a psu , a small one, and took every compt off...board was still short.

[@StuP1981]

Loving this! It’s gonna end up like triggers broom!!! But you can’t let Steve win 😂

[@SidneyCritic]

I would've pulled the APU, checked the PCB for shorts, replaced the APU, and THEN put the other parts on, ie, you could've reintroduced a problem by putting the chips on first.

[@callmefoxie2950]

One thing I remember from the last video - did you replace the fuse F6202?

[@watkins7810]

found you from tronicsfix love the channel

[@EinGamer22]

2 : 0 for TronicsFix Go Cod3r go Cod3r go Cod3r you can do it we believe in you

[@ricmndy1]

IF I remember correctly, you also took a battery holder off this board as well just the other day

[@guyhayden4795]

Random APU with his board surely - bloomy smoking video thanks

[@RAFAEL11221000]

It didn't work but it was a great vid. Thanks for showing Us all that process.

[@milowadlin]

I noticed you hung on to the sticky note, even though you "failed". I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you revisited it!

[@johnsaunders6510]

Triggers broom. LOL. A brilliant reference.

[@Bish186]

Thumbs up for Trigger's broom. 👌

[@310_Latchkey_kid]

You still the man!

[@DJWHITE_]

Amazing! I thought that was the end of it! Bonus!

[@ramza78]

It’s a win if you get something working! Doesn’t matter if it’s original board or APU. Good try! Can’t wait for next part!!

[@Kikay0n]

You rock dude. Good show!

[@Andreas_Straub]

Hi, if you do a BGA replacement, shouldn't you "bake" the card at low temp (60-80 degrees C) for several hours to remove potential humidity from thos large packages? There will be an increased risk of cracking the die when soldering without baking first!

[@blutey]

@02:35 _Trigger's Broom_ - had to search that. There's an OF&H YT video that explains it lol

[@thomasodonnell2191]

Keep going! You can do it!

[@cheplays2482]

I think it would be a win if you get the board working with a new APU but it really seems like the issue is beyond that.

[@therefix342]

I believe we'll soon be able to read the syscon, so that would be super handy!

[@alderoth01]

Man... This stuff blows my mind, and this is just a console 😆. I can't imagine how complicated a PC or Laptop motherboard must be. I'm just gonna say it's all magic, and you are a wizard 😆.

[@chetSeminole]

Thought you had it this time. Really enjoying this.

[@anthonyhamilton5115]

Go for it Phil

[@ChrisBigBad]

ya. the board is a substantial part of the console and the set of identity-chips, too. if you get any of them working, i'd consider that a win :D

[@davidcooks5265]

To me your the winner for effort 👍💪🇬🇧

[@lkb6080]

The coder is the best

[@cheex18]

It's a win, if you can give Tronics fix (the customer) back something usable then you look good and on KZbin thats all that matters buddy. Keep up the good work.

[@Tobim6]

Bro tronics fix is another youtuber that wasn't able to fix it

[@Tobim6]

And it is a rare ps4

[@cheex18]

Hey @Tobim6 yeah I know, still consider him a customer who paying by sending views his way. 😀

[@rosspaginton8212]

3rd time is the charm we believe in you Phil!

[@quinnhalley]

did you remember to unsolder the usb fuse jump? Probably not the overall issue, but I don't think I saw you remove that solder and replace that fuse.

[@MrFujack103]

If it’s a short in the board it should show on your thermal camera? Maybe leave it outside for a bit to get really cold which it is -6 atm then put power into the board and watch. It might be high resistance rather then a dead short

[@JonnyFix]

OMG those right angled power supply pins! What kind of motherboard switchery foolery treachery hoodwinkelness is this! 😆

[@Seppiabrilla00497]

Love the videos! Can’t wait for tronix to give you some other challenge!

[@michaelgr8184]

i think as long as you get the board working it's a win. Btw it was a great video, i really enjoyed this series, i can't wait to see what happens next.

[@virgildeklerk]

Hi Phil, Great to see how you keep trying, I hope you will succeed anyway. Great video and nice device such a BGA station. can't wait for the next attempt and will keep fingers crossed for succes

[@dave_s_vids]

We win whatever the outcome - another great video. Thanks :)

[@gisel213]

Practice makes perfect good stuff bro!!!

[@coolissimo69]

Good luck bro

[@Steakmassaker]

Great work@TheCod3r. Your Rework Station looks like a "Rework Station IR6500" or i am wrong ?

[@leedavies3629]

Go for it dude ✌️

[@jaylo912]

Really loving the videos, you are super informative and someone so easy to listen to. As said in live chat on latest stream, Really appreciate the knowledge you are spreading to us all. You are a true Guru

[@mike-ology22]

Time is never wasted, lesson is always learned ;)

[@gametester-ye2dl]

ive watched you grow so much while tronicsfix is mostly b.s keep up the good work!

[@funky_monk_7417]

Hey Phil, I’m still waiting for a Nintendo switch lcd driver chip reballed to buy from you. Thanks mate

[@johnriff85]

A win is getting a functional board in the unit. If you were repairing a console for a customer, then all they care about is a functional console. So I say get it up and running any way possible.

[@Vestige98]

Props to anyone who has the patience to reball any chip, lord that APU looked lethally boring.

[@chefmastermikecmm8465]

Whatever the result. Give it another go! I feel like you're very close!

[@timvu9427]

So this is why they call it the blue light of DEATH. Good try and great video.