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?

[@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!

[@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

[@cabraturri]

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

[@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!

[@RandomBattlePresents...]

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

[@hardwarerepair200]

Glad that you enjoy the music!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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 👍.

[@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😂

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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!

[@cho4d]

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

[@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 !

[@krypton1260]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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! 🎉

[@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!

[@ItachiRyu]

"everything is cheap because im poor" same brother lol

[@eduardoK995]

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

[@shahrukh8211]

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

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you, I will!

[@ps3vinny186]

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

[@munshi_man9736]

I love your videos

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for watching!

[@joesaiditstrue]

i love your videos man, nice job!

[@hardwarerepair200]

Glad to hear it!

[@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!

[@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.

[@VictorHugoAlvarez-eternelymiss]

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

[@Alexle-fh9yi]

great video man! You're gonna make it.

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you, I will!

[@AlanVillegasn_n]

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

[@Aisflou]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@ANGRY_MAD_JIN]

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

[@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😢

[@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.

[@anthonyaviles8665]

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

[@fizz9698]

Honeyyyyy, Frankenstein Mod Part 2 s out.

[@shawnunder7]

As John Cena says "You never give up"

[@hardwarerepair200]

True! I will never give up!

[@aceconsolerepairs]

Shawn gives up all of the time!

[@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.

[@booooooghi]

Loved the video.

[@hoyreparo9660]

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

[@italonelli1233]

that brown stuff is because bad quality flux

[@Woodsmasher]

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

[@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.

[@nicoful86]

Great video!!!

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thanks for the visit again!

[@muttBunch]

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

[@CheezeCracker]

33:25 "Hott aAAiiiree" Oppa Gangnam Style

[@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.

[@Khrisx92]

Don't give up bro ✌

[@PastPresentFutureEndofTime]

Reballing looks extremely intense.

[@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.

[@alucantropo8340]

Jajaja no te imaginas lo que yo sufrí al hacer esto😢

[@malyboyle223]

Wonderful effort

[@Jason-nl8cy]

I have been watching for a long time..I own over 20 A01's...I have a professional Frankie from the computer booter with RIP felix tokins....very cool...but like you I also want to do it myself. I have failed so many times at the reball...normally when remove stencil I hit a few balls...the one time I got stencil off okay but then hot air gun blew the balls...to be continued...still stuck in the worm hole....

[@hardwarerepair200]

Being able to do it yourself is a sense of achievement. I am also trying hard to make the first Frankie myself!

[@MultiDumdumgumgum]

Dont move the stencil put directly heat on it and melt the solderballs. The stencil will stick only a little bit but you can pull it away. After that put again hot air on it to solder them properly on to the chip

[@hardwarerepair200]

Thank you for the tips. I will try it next time!

[@Deception2000]

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

[@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...

[@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

[@Woodsmasher]

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

[@anthonyaviles8665]

What leaded solder ball sizes did you use

[@lunatic1911]

resistance value can be different when the chip is getting heat or cool.

[@Woodsmasher]

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

[@TheCodr9]

Why not heat up on the stencil??

[@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.

[@hmello3250]

You should watch Northwest repair. He reballs GPUs on every video. He uses a different type of flux and also a tiny heating plate.

[@Rientsma123]

Makes me wonder if its worth just software modding a PS3 Slim to play PS1/PS2 games instead. much less work.

[@yasser_music]

you never ever add flux while the balls are not solder you should apply little bit flux on chip then heat it and make sure they are stick to pads then you add flux and heat again

[@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.

[@PastPresentFutureEndofTime]

Would be nice if Sony made another backwards compatible console that can run 1,2,3,4,5,6 disc type's.

[@timballam3675]

Try taking the dmm out of auto range?

[@gamerch87]

15:16 would liquid solder do a bether job or does that not work?

[@hardwarerepair200]

I think solder paste works better, but I ended up choosing metal balls as it looked more intuitive.

[@anthonyaviles8665]

What’s pcb holder are you using the one for fat models 80 gb

[@hardwarerepair200]

It's from here. But it's out of stock right now. item.taobao.com/item.htm?abbucket=4&id=35343923877

[@samoskvarenina4285]

where you bought that tantalizator thinks?

[@hardwarerepair200]

oshpark.com/profiles/RIP-Felix

[@jacooosthuizen3593]

Keep going! FIX IT! :D

[@necronomimicon]

It amazes me how much time and money and everything people are willing to invest to fix a console just to play playstation2 games, something that you can archieve with a $20 original console.

[@eduardoK995]

It's not just for that :) I have many ps2s, (and play my main one from time to time) and am working towards reball/Frankie work. For me it's more about fixing rare ps3s for myself and other collectiors. And it's nice to have 3 generations on PlayStation games on 1 console 😅 between one of these and a ps5 you can play all your discs 😁

[@AtariBorn]

"But did you die?"

[@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.

[@ZephyrDavid]

Wrong flux. Use a denser or a bit thicker flux.

[@albertstorch5224]

Manche lassen die Schablone liegen und erhitzen sie mit. Da Rollen die Kugeln nicht weg. 😁

[@hardwarerepair200]

Danke für die Tipps!

[@PastPresentFutureEndofTime]

Really hope I can find someone to fix my backwards compatible PS3 it to has YLOD and don't want to just have anyone try to fix it looking for proof from several repairs of the console from someone before I'll hand it over for repairs.

[@joesaiditstrue]

Can you use solder paste instead of the balls?

[@DiGiTAL_S80]

yes, but you need the right stencil and the stencil holder should be of high quality and make sure the solder paste is 183c

[@Whiskey36]

Is doing this worth anything anymore great vid

[@ayylien]

Watching youtubers who reball chips, I can tell you I will never try it. It takes a good skill level and good equipment, logically only if you have a business out of it, it makes sense.

[@PopGorilla]

He didn't even use a strap on

[@hardwarerepair200]

Strap-on soldering iron/hot air? That's a genius hands-free repair tool!