Trying Frankenstein Mod for the First Time - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

[@AnonyDave]

Trying to add isopropyl to a preheated board is just going instantly evaporate the ipa. That's why you get a brown crust, it's the flux getting foamed by the alcohol boiling and then being left with just the dry flux

[@hardwarerepair200]

That means I should wait for it to cool down a bit before cleaning?

[@zhangsayuri8934]

@@hardwarerepair200 yes, you should be using ipa after the board cold enough that it won't evaporate too fast

[@ripfelix3020]

Very nice video! This is an excellent portrayal of the learning curve. I was noding my head "yup" every time you enountered an issue. I had all the same ones. Tips. Stop using that flux. Use Stirri V3 and apply it with a gloved finger, squeeging it off. The BGA pads are slightly recessed, so this will leave the perfect amount of flux. Second, remove the nozzle from your hot air and turn it down as much as possable. Up the temp to 460C. Then back away from the RSX. Start about a foot away from the chip and SLOWLY inch your way forward toward a corner. This slows the air, heats the flux and give the balls in that orner a chamce to settle in. The heat travels like a wave to the rest of the balls and melts flux without them.blowing off. Too much flus and they swim. The wrong flux and they'll fly off. So use the right flux, less of it, and then start from a corner with the heat and inch forward. That'll help immensely. if you have a merged ball. Cut a piece of solder braid at an angle to make a point. Add flux and use hot air pointed at the braid while ysing forceps to hold the braid. It'll allow you to wick up one pad. Then replace with a new ball. That way you dont have to start over. These tricks saved me! Reballimg is the hardest part. PLL will often jump between vales. That's normal. It shouldnt be short or open, ignore the havlues in between. Note about that rsx pinout you used. The white boxes are either no connect OR signal. So check kiaw's pinout to see if it's actually important, not that one. The one you used only shows the voltage lines. You're on the cusp my man. The next one will be a sucess! I'm pretty sure.

[@ItsCOMMANDer_]

Ngl, i thought this was a fake acc becayse of the 3020 in hour handle, but then i saw the length of the comment. A Fake would never take his time to write a good comment, but great stuff is all we know from you. Also, agree.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you so much for the tips! I have ordered Stirri V3 and chose the cheapest shipping option (up to 21 days for shipping) Hopefully it can arrive before my next attempt!

[@DaschX13]

Failed attempt means there will be another video. Can't wait. Good luck! Frankies are awesome

[@hardwarerepair200]

Yes, can't wait to have my first Frankie!

[@matt.108]

I’ve done a lot of these. You need to delid the 90nm RSX before removing it. The IHS soaks up a lot of heat. If you hold the temps at 230 it will usually completely melt the unleaded solder after 10-30 seconds.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for the tips!

[@adonian]

First time seeing anything of yours… love the accent, love the content.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching! I hope my accent is not too difficult to understand.

[@adonian]

@@hardwarerepair200 oh, I understand completely, I love your accent 👍.

[@AB1Vampire]

Solder-ball golf was a nice introduction by demonstration of the tools needed to do that sort of work. I learned something, thank you.

[@sfeather7088]

You didn't waste 45 minutes of my time....I really enjoyed your video ! Your tenacity, determination, and Humility are admirable and the narration was fantastic. Keep at it. Best of luck to You !

[@ItzNickyJ]

I love the fact I watched all 43:23 and you still failed. Shows that you can put a ton of time into something and still get a bad outcome and its not only you in the end. Failure means a lesson to be learned and learning is the key here. Loved the video.

[@hardwarerepair200]

True. Each failure is a lesson. That's why I think it is also important to record down how I failed. Thank you for watching!

[@ItachiRyu]

"everything is cheap because im poor" same brother lol

[@emmettturner9452]

Enjoyed every moment of this even if it didn’t turn out how we wanted. Good luck on your future attempts!

[@hardwarerepair200]

It's a bit disappointing in the end. But I learned a lot. Will try my best next time!

[@k0lo86]

Congratulations on your perseverance! In the future, take a fully functional CECHA and a fully functional CECH-21xx/CECH-25xx/CECH-30xx. Remove the 90nm from the CECHA and try to install the 40nm extracted from the donor. Don't waste time messing around with dead ones from "eBay". Good luck, and I wish you success. In my opinion, you can confidently say that you successfully did a Frankenstein Mod, only you transplanted a 60nm RSX to a damaged PCB.

[@hardwarerepair200]

I hope so! Thank you for watching!

[@jm036]

Why, you can keep 90nm running for a long time, what you say just destroys a slim and risks ruining a COK-001

[@TheRedOwl]

"SMD Soldering is difficult 😑" .. I felt your pain, but i had to laugh! 😂 ..So sorry! However can't wait for part 2 of this, amazing video AHR! 🎉

[@krypton1260]

Flux can be conductive and corrosive, use IPA + air under BGA chips to get rid of remaining flux.

[@phanthanhlaptop]

Seriously impressive! Your dedication and technical knowledge really shine through in this video. I learned so much about PS3 mods, and your transparency about the challenges made it all the more enjoyable. Can’t wait for your next project!

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching! It's more like a vlog to remind myself what have I tried. So that I can improve next time and won't make the same mistake!

[@cabraturri]

Woow this is something incredible, keep up man don't hesitate you will achieve it!

[@ShoxMG]

Solderpaste works best with stencils

[@maciejkobus]

Not with such a big BGA chip. The method you're referring to only works for relatively small chips.

[@narutoninjaflame]

Very cool video! You have some kind of power. Your videos are so interesting. You have something that other KZbinrs don't have. Don't give up and keep trying. 🙂👍

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching! I think the only special thing I have compared to other KZbinrs is my crappy soldering skill😂

[@Dasa188]

I really enjoy your videos. I have 3 not working backwards compatible fat ps3's that I need to try and fix one day and I am using your videos and Felix's guides to help prepare me for it. Right now I am too afraid to mess them up. I'm practicing on easier soldering projects for awhile before trying ps3 rsx reballing.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Glad that you find it useful! Yes, better practice before doing it for real. I have done a lot of practice for just the reballing part too.

[@nhand42]

Huge respect to you and the community for figuring these things out. Frankie mods are the best and I'm cheering for you on the next attempt.

[@abo0deMineCraft]

Can't wait for the second attempt video and surely it will be a big success :)

[@hardwarerepair200]

Looking for my next victim for the Frankenstein mod now😂 Stay tune!

[@Stronjon]

Don't apologize, I really enjoy watching you fail! Jokes aside, it's nice too see your progress and to have someone actually post not only their success but also their failures, it's inspiring. Keep it up, you'll get it in the end and I'll be here to watch it. Regarding the desolder temperature difference between the 90 and 65nm. I noticed you didn't delid the 90nm before removing it. Since the heatspreader is in contact with the RSX and VRAM and not the PCB I think you might be directing a lot of the thermal energy into these chips rather than the PCB. Have you tried desoldering without the lid as well, did you notice any difference? Also, where did you get that motherboard tray?

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching! I didn't take off the IHS for this one because somehow the glue is quite strong. I don't want to force it and damage the pads. But I will pay attention to the temperature with and without IHS next time. It would be something interesting to know!

[@ANGRY_MAD_JIN]

I found this video extremely entertaining, it was fun to watch

[@CoLPluto]

For me personally, when trying to get rid of the wiggles while welding, its beneficial to have a rest for your arm to take some weight off. May help to increase your steadiness while messing with these tiny components. Cool video, ill check out the next attempt.

[@pazsion]

my hands always shake so bad... which is why i have avoided this stuff... but i recently found after my second cup of coffee and a bowl of herbs... no more shaking. noticed less inflamation and pain , feeling rested, also correlates 3-4 hours later it returns to shaking.

[@cho4d]

Success or not, i apprieciate this video. Great work dude!

[@Djrod95]

Thank you for showing all your process and learning. Very instructive video. Waiting for your next attempt :D

[@hardwarerepair200]

It's more like a vlog for myself. But I am glad that other people also find it useful!

[@nicktheneko]

When reballing you should use a thicker viscosity flux so the balls can basically be temporary glued to the pads, also to make it easier you don't need to remove the template when heating the balls up

[@joesaiditstrue]

i love your videos man, nice job!

[@hardwarerepair200]

Glad to hear it!

[@RandomBattlePresents...]

When that synth music kicked in, you know it was getting serious. Re-ball mode: ENGAGED!

[@hardwarerepair200]

Glad that you enjoy the music!

[@markray3263]

Thank you for including the mistakes made during the process. Too many of these videos make these tasks look far easier than we all know they are. Re-balling achievement unlocked!

[@negativenihil]

this video rules because the creator shows his setbacks WITH his success. A+, the most realistic modding video on KZbin

[@8bitnation419]

3034 means a BGA Defect. BGA work on the RSX will need to be redone.

[@eduardoK995]

@@8bitnation419 3034 errors are often caused by defects on the BGA or Bump (among other issues). At the end he shows that he most likely was installing a faulty 65nm RSX

[@porchmnkey]

you did an awesome job there. from personal experience i know about the shaking hands / sweat / feeling that you had in that moment. keep up the good work, you will improve with practice. nobody is born a pro. Keep up!

[@siem8160]

Excellent, informative video showing that things aren't quite so simple. So exciting, I was cheering you on from my desk. Bravo for your perseverance.

[@Vertigon100]

This man has mentally prepared his entire last year's weekends while drinking beer with his friends at a pub for this job. :)

[@hardwarerepair200]

Yet, every time I bring up 'BGA rework' at the pub, it becomes dead silence 😂🍻 Truly a powerful conversation killer

[@PurGaminG62]

Nice job man, this is not a defeat but a victory cause you approched the final goal much more close than ever. Keep going, you will make It anyways due to your strong dedication.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for the support! I will!

[@shahrukh8211]

It's okay man ,One day for sure, Keep Trying You did great.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you, I will!

[@eduardoK995]

You nearly had it! Bad luck on the RSX, keep your eye out for another 65nm and try again 😁

[@pot3to444]

Great video bro. Next time try a small hot plate in combination with the hot air for reballing. It seems to work well for northwestrepair when he reballs gpus and such.

[@tomaszski9818]

I must say great video while I am prepairing myself for a Franky on my old PS3 CECHC.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Let us know how it goes!

[@user_friendly86]

Just seeing someone take a chip on and off again with an IR plate and heat gun is great for someone like me that wants to attempt this with similar equipment. Your videos have been JUST as helpful to me as RIP Felix in terms of technique. With both of your videos I hope to try this sometime soon!

[@Rambonz2]

I am glad to have been part of this trauma ❤. Great video mate well done.

[@hardwarerepair200]

I am too sloppy to handle sharp tools. Thank you for dropping by. I hope more people know about your new delid tool after watching this video!

[@ps3vinny186]

Great video my good man many thanks for all your time and effort from vini

[@HKT-4300]

You showed such determination, subscribed and exited to see you succeed next time, or the time after! Also subscribed for the golf bit.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching! I will try my best!

[@Woodsmasher]

Min. 19:02 We use flux over the stencil, not the other way around... And preferably a solder flux type "No- Clean"...

[@yan7382]

The flux you are using is not the best, the viscosity is not ideal to keep the solder balls in place, also it get black as it burn in contact of the iron. Buy the STIRRI-V2-TF (or -ASM) if you live in North America or the Mechanic SD360 which is easier to get and cheaper. For the soldering, before moving the chip to test the wiggle you have to be sure the solder balls are liquidus otherwise you can merge solder balls and create shorts (also if you wiggle the chip too far).You have to heat the chip progressively with the heat gun, start at 170 and increase 1-3 degrees per secondes. After you reach liquidus temperature you have to keep it 30 to 90 secondes to be sure all solder balls seated I think it is the main issue, try keeping the probe temp at least 260 degrees for 60 secondes, and put some flux on the probe to improve contact to PCB so you measuring PCB temperature and not air, as I noticed the temperature is changing too fast. Your air gun don't have enough air speed that is why you have to over increase the temperature. You are not far from succeeding, good luck !

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for the tips! I wanted to buy amtech nc-559, but it doesn't ship to my country. Currently I am trying different flux that I can find locally.

[@fdgdfgdfgdfg3811]

@@hardwarerepair200 hello, friend did you find a good flux? i also cant find one good for bga, my only option is aliexpress ,if you found something please tell.

[@Nobe_Oddy]

WOW!!! This was AMAZING! IT sucks you couldn't get it to work tho.... I don't have any experience with this stuff, so I can't help you with ideas... I did learn quite a bit from you tho... and I hope to learn more again soon :)

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Too much flux isnt usually an issue brother. You're doing a tricky job. I have 3 launch edition ps3 consoles that i need to put bdroms on but i dont have the original daughter boards. They all boot though.

[@AlanVillegasn_n]

muy agradecido por toda la informacion brindada en tu proyecto FM, fue muy entretenido en todo momento y para nada aburrido. saludos

[@k0lo86]

I'm at the 7:30 mark of the video, and without looking ahead, I bet that the RSX will start floating(swing) on molten solder balls somewhere above 250-255°C. Even though the melting point of lead-free solder balls is around 217-227°C, it's possible that Sony added copper to the SnAgCu mixture, which raised the melting temperature of the balls. In any case, it's safe to heat the 90nm RSX up to 260°C since it's destined for the trash. And it's better to be sure than to rip pads and traces off the PCB while lifting it. However, when soldering in a new 60nm/40nm chip, we use leaded solder balls, and in that case, 185-210°C is sufficient for it to solder to PCB, as Sn63Pb37 melts somewhere above 180°C.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for the tips!

[@Ismsanmar]

It's funny when you say that they added copper to the "SnAgCu mixture", when that last "Cu" it's the symbol of Copper on the periodic table. And funnier seeing you keeping talking about all the rest without knowing that basic thing.

[@pazsion]

adding to the percentage contained, to raise melting point... the copper would never melt but disribute heat better...

[@pazsion]

i wouldnt use lead tho, unless you like wearing a full face mask under a fume hood trying to use a scope and solder...

[@Ismsanmar]

@@pazsion Are you for real? Or this is some kind of bad joke?

[@Alexle-fh9yi]

great video man! You're gonna make it.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you, I will!

[@anthonyaviles8665]

Always have to fail to make it work in the end I love your videos

[@halo3odst]

We need more people who can do it

[@marcoandres767]

No incentive

[@halo3odst]

@marcoandres767 It’s called money.

[@marcoandres767]

@@halo3odst motivation

[@halo3odst]

@marcoandres767 lots of money (Which it does cost)

[@Johnny_LuvBuckets]

@@halo3odst thousands of dollars in tools and countless hours of your time only for uneducated morons to complain about price "I cAn BuY a Ps5 FoR ThAt AmOuNt" it's not a get rich quick scheme.

[@onefix7385]

Great video! Where did you buy that aluminium jig?

[@hardwarerepair200]

My friend helped me ordered from this Chinese website item.taobao.com/item.htm?abbucket=4&id=35343923877 Somehow I can't find it anywhere else. Let me know if you can find it somewhere!

[@eduardoK995]

@@hardwarerepair200 Ali express has some

[@jacooosthuizen3593]

Keep going! FIX IT! :D

[@hitchjay]

I like your style. Your journey will be cool as you improve your skills based on comments from community... Would also be nice if you create a video summarizing these improvement advices

[@chronosfacepunch]

I think the plastic pad under the clamp is factory stock for the backwards compatible Fat PS3, saw it several times. Good job playing first time with balls! 😂 Entertaining video! THX

[@hardwarerepair200]

Some of my CECHA consoles didn't come with it. So I am a bit curious.

[@chronosfacepunch]

@@hardwarerepair200 I'm in the EU region so we got different models, our 60gb model was calles CECHC04 without actual ps2 hardware

[@hardwarerepair200]

I see. I guess that's why. Probably all CECHC came with that plastic pad. But only some CECHA came with it.

[@andrewjones198]

I admire your dedication to self improvement.

[@eeledahc]

Why not melt the balls with the stencil still in place? That's how it's done when using solder paste. I wouldn't think that the balls would trap the stencil onto the chip unless the balls were a larger size?

[@petr56321313]

Because it bend after heat up...

[@hardwarerepair200]

The crappy one that I tried at the beginning bends. Probably the one with the frame won't bend. Anyhow, thank you for the tips, will give it a try.

[@stephenhood2948]

Isn't there a chance the stencil will get soldered to the chip?? I've never saw anyone heat solderballs withe the stencil on the chip.

[@hardwarerepair200]

True, that's why I do it without a stencil here. Coz I don't see other people doing it with a stencil, unless they are using solder paste. But still, I am curious if it will get stuck or not. Will try it when I have time!

[@eeledahc]

@@hardwarerepair200 always try on some junk electronics first!

[@jeffturner8761]

Cool cool shit. Love how you know your stuff and cheap and the personality it’s gold. lol you content!

[@fizz9698]

Honeyyyyy, Frankenstein Mod Part 2 s out.

[@bemorewantless]

I believe you can keep the stencil on while you hot air solder the balls in place on the RSX and they will not stick to the stencil.

[@DiGiTAL_S80]

your videos keep getting better and better, keep up the good work, btw what flux are you using?the quality of the flux plays an important role for easier re-balling

[@hardwarerepair200]

I am using the flux I can find locally. It is BS-75B. I wanted to buy amtech nc-559, but it doesn't ship to my country. The so called "amtech nc-559" I can find are all Chinese knock-off😢

[@ConsoleKingRepair]

Fantastic video man! Keep it up.

[@VictorHugoAlvarez-eternelymiss]

Don't Throw 90nm RSX away, Save It!!!!!!

[@jstro-hobbytech]

Cool video. Use more sticky flux and raise the temp on the hot air with no tip on the nozzle when reballing. Just a suggestion. Im no pro but ive been doing microsoldering for years.

[@TheM0nkeyBomb]

18:03 you should have kept the stencil on the gpu, so the balls stay in place, and THEN heat it!

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for the tips!

[@TheM0nkeyBomb]

@@hardwarerepair200 i suggest using smaller balls so they don't remain stuck to the stencil while heating them.

[@Aisflou]

What are you missing? As others already tell you, use gel flux, its more tacky and the right one for this task.

[@hoyreparo9660]

buen video amigo ,haces todo lo que yo hice mal cuando yo empecé con el reballing XD

[@wbaba34]

Hello, I've been keeping up with your Frankenstein videos for quite a while now, and I have decided to also step into the BGA rework community, but I will start with the Xbox 360 instead. What are some cheap bottom heaters that are good for the PS3 and Xbox 360 motherboard? I have looked, but I can't find any. I have decided to use a griddle if there is nothing else.

[@Khrisx92]

Don't give up bro ✌

[@keithnsearle7393]

Good on you for your perseverance. Not many people would be able to do what you had done. Good work though.

[@JustMatt87]

As someone that has never done a reball and has even very limited soldering skills, I'm wondering if after you remove the stencil and the balls are sitting there, wouldn't it be easier to use like a hot plate to melt the balls rather than a heat gun? I don't think anybody else has mentioned this in the comments, so it might just be a stupid idea

[@Kilpe78]

From what I have learned Sonys fixed PS3s, there is that white thing under CPU, but only 40 RSX. Also MB have date sticker and 40nm have 40 sticker in USB. Haven't seen 65 one, so that I don't know. I had one that claimed fixed by Sony, but it had still 90 and no sticker.

[@scotthunter4348]

Awesome intense repair video 💯. This is more fun then playing ps3 😊

[@micahlawton]

I can’t believe you tried so hard but props

[@GlassICE]

Ohhhh, i think at this situation i better stick with my PS3 Slim and also put away a backup one in case anything happens

[@AbdelkaderBoudih]

You need a heating plate for reballing, not hot air.

[@AvidDreams]

I've been interested in trying this mod... it seems that having Led solder really helps if you can get your hands on it.

[@Deception2000]

It may be more easier if you use solder paste to do reballing?

[@munshi_man9736]

I love your videos

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching!

[@MrAshr888]

Don't worry about failure. It's about the journey.

[@falxie_]

22:47 i've seen people use a scalpel and hot air to split merged solder balls, hoping this doesn't bite you later in the video.

[@booooooghi]

Loved the video.

[@malyboyle223]

Wonderful effort

[@PastPresentFutureEndofTime]

Reballing looks extremely intense.

[@S74Tech]

If the board has date stickers then it will be Sony refurbed. I have 3 of them, 2 of which are 40nm. They all came with the Cell brace that you showed.

[@nonametutorial]

Really good video , ETA of the pt2 ?

[@muttBunch]

I was hoping #3 at 19:17 was going to be “Oh what the FLUX”

[@jazero-u7p]

Excellent and you have a sub. I can do everything the reballing neckpaintokin, resistors and read the syscon. However, struggling to understand with syscon over writing rsx training and pairing and check sum and training bit. Please can you do a noob step by step guide about the check sum and external mode and please noobs like spoon feeding first and then they can stand on their feet. Please go slow. I have searched every where to see a writing guide step by step but cannot find. Felix has done a great job but he does not provide a noob guide with the syscon training and writing. Have read all links you provided, beautifully done by RIP Felix but I am struggling to understand the training and writing. Hope you kindly understand this. I wait for your writing and noob video guide🙏 I like that name Sandungas too.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Not sure if I have time to make a dedicated tutorial for it. But I can include a bit more detail in my next Frankenstein mod when I do the RSX pairing.

[@jazero-u7p]

@@hardwarerepair200 Thank you so much and I appreciate your endeavour to learn and to help novices.

[@user_friendly86]

Where did you get the holder for the PCB so it won't warp when heating?

[@hardwarerepair200]

The black one from my last video is from aliexpress. You can search for "PS3 jig" The silver one in this video is quite difficult to get. Someone helped me order from this Chinese website item.taobao.com/item.htm?abbucket=4&id=35343923877

[@user_friendly86]

@@hardwarerepair200 Thank you so much, you are a huge inspiration. My goal now for next year is to attempt this!

[@shawnunder7]

As John Cena says "You never give up"

[@hardwarerepair200]

True! I will never give up!

[@aceconsolerepairs]

Shawn gives up all of the time!

[@christ2290]

Why do you keep removing the stencil when you hot air it? Leave the stencil on.

[@baballekatsina6077]

Great job, keep trying bro

[@NickBFTD]

Did you learn English by watching trailers of action films ?, anyway good video 👍

[@hardwarerepair200]

I did learn English by watching American action movies😂

[@davidbentham9586]

What a ball ache 😊, reballing is the worst part of this i hate it with a passion so you are not alone.Im afraid the rsx is dead based on those pll reading's.Dont be down you now have experience in reballing and removal and refit that's half the battle

[@ImaginaPower]

You have to use am4 flux . Much easier for reballing

[@Woodsmasher]

The brown stuff is burned solder flux... Do you have isopropyl alcohol?

[@Woodsmasher]

Min. 17:24 You can actually put the holder / RSX on the hot plate instead of using the hot air gun.... Better results indeed...

[@anthonyaviles8665]

What leaded solder ball sizes did you use

[@Woodsmasher]

From where I work, we place the thermocouple on the other side of the board where the component is located ...