Community Forums => General Chat => Topic started by: BranDonk Kong on August 07, 2011, 10:21:43 AM
Title: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 07, 2011, 10:21:43 AM
...I really do fix game consoles (and cell phones) for a living, and luckily Microsoft and Sony did a bad enough job designing their hardware to afford me this job.
Here's a PS3 that came into our shop for the Yellow Light of Death (already disassembled, cleaned, and on the BGA rework station)... (http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9728/img20110805163751.jpg)
...and here is that same console about 25 minutes later (http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/6281/img20110805173542.jpg)
These are some of the consoles I fixed this week - all being YLOD PS3s or RROD 360s (http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/1116/img20110806112831.jpg)
First time I opened a Verizon iPhone 4 (though I've probably does at least 20 of the AT&T variety - I'd say we get at least 5 iPhone 3G/3GS repairs a day), forgot to take pictures when I was done (http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/8272/img20110806125320.jpg)
And here is a picture I took a couple weeks ago, had to do some catch up when I came back home from Pittsburgh (http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/4469/img20110720142320.jpg)
When you count all of the Wiis, 360s, PS3s, DSes, PSPs, etc, and the various issues, I've probably fixed around 500 consoles for people locally, but there's still no shortage of repairs needing done. There are over 500,000 people in our county, so that's barely scratching the surface really. If you need any work done, hit me up with a PM or mention it in this thread (or not)...
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Morari on August 07, 2011, 11:44:21 AM
Looks like a nice setup. Do you do this privately, or is that wall at an establishment?
I need to take apart and tinker with two of my Dreamcasts. The one is not outputting any audio/video, and the other has loose controller ports that cut in and out. :(
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 07, 2011, 03:10:40 PM
I used to to it from home, but this is an actual establishment. We just moved our shop two doors over from the original location, so it's kind of messy and I didn't take shots of my whole area, but I will soon.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: ShyGuy on August 07, 2011, 04:06:33 PM
We probably had this discussion before, but how much to fix my Wii's disc drive?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Stogi on August 07, 2011, 04:34:23 PM
Yo I need a cheap PS3 that will strictly be used for online gaming. I don't need controllers or cables or even a large HDD.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 07, 2011, 09:31:25 PM
I can probably get you said PS3, we have two (fat, not BC) consoles that just need laser replacements and then we plan on selling them.
We charge $75 for Wii disc drive replacement - it's typically the best way to go (other than just doing the laser or motor, since they both tend to fail, and the gears wear down, sensor goes bad - lots of plastic in there) - that would include return shipping if you are interested.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Morari on August 07, 2011, 11:22:03 PM
We charge $75 for Wii disc drive replacement - it's typically the best way to go (other than just doing the laser or motor, since they both tend to fail, and the gears wear down, sensor goes bad - lots of plastic in there) - that would include return shipping if you are interested.
That's not bad considering the prices I've seen for just the hardware. I've had to replace the drives on three different consoles, one of which had been replaced under warranty prior to failing again. It is my opinion that the Wii has one of the worse disc drives I've ever seen, whether it's the actual laser or the stupid self-loading mechanism is beyond me.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on August 07, 2011, 11:34:03 PM
Probably a major determining factor into why the WiiU doesn't support GC disc. That drive has been a bit of trouble for Nintendo in the durability and expense columns.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 08, 2011, 10:00:25 AM
We used to do Wii laser/motor replacements as well, but quite often you'd replace the motor only to find out the laser was dying too, and replacing the motor is about the most frustrating thing you can ever do because of the precision involved in getting the three mounting screws in exactly the right position so it doesn't grind and squeal. The Xbox 360 typically has the best optical drive, but there are so many different models that physically replacing the entire drive (when necessary) can be a hassle as well. Luckily there are only two different laser models in the old style systems (Hitachi and Samsung are the same, BenQ and LiteOn are the same).
Let me give this one piece of advice for anyone with a PS3 that either has a disc stuck inside, or has the YLOD and it will not eject - DO NOT open the console to take the disc out, the drives in those things are completely retarded, and will not readjust themselves if they end up in a different position due to disassembly. It can be a huge pain in the ass to get the drive properly working again if you do this. The Wii and 360 - not a problem.
We really don't get too many Wiis in (maybe two or three a month), but it's always for the disc drive, and typically because someone shoved something in there that shouldn't have been (when it's not the drive failing itself), but sadly I think a large part of this is because so many people buy (bought) a Wii with Wii Sports and basically never use the drive beyond the initial loading for that game.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 13, 2011, 09:40:13 PM
If anyone has any interest I'll add regular updates to this thread...if not...I'll let it die. We get some interesting stuff sometimes - incredibly filthy consoles (cockroaches, spiders, etc), porno DVDs stuck in the PS3 disc tray, Wii consoles with checkers, toy CDs, etc stuck in the tray...and a lot of iPhones.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 28, 2011, 01:06:38 AM
Well screw it, I feel like updating anyway. I've taken a bunch of pictures recently of some other phones and consoles, so I figured I'd share my experiences. Let's begin...
This is a fourth generation iPod Touch that a sweet little girl had dropped and cracked the screen. I felt bad when we had to take her money (she had been saving her allowance), but she was happy to do so and seemed very appreciative and showed a sense of responsibility. (http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3046/img20110813104811.jpg)
If you have one of these and broke the screen, then asked why it costs so much to get the screen replaced, this is why... (http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6154/img20110813113957.jpg)
Just like the iPhone 4 (and almost any new Samsung phone, at least the good ones), the LCD and the digitizer are inseparable. The LCD actually has a layer of glass on it which is epoxied onto the touch screen, making it 100% impossible to just replace the glass, because you will completely destroy the LCD if you try to remove it, so you have to replace both at the same time. It makes repairs more expensive, but also easier, and there is no risk of getting debris between the glass and LCD like what happens to almost any iPhone 3G or 3GS that you see. I forgot to upload a picture of the end result...but you've probably seen an iPod before.
This is a Samsung Transform, it's a touchscreen Android phone for Sprint. The person who brought it in only had a barely noticeable hairline crack directly across the screen, but they're company reimbursed them so they got it fixed. I will say this - Samsung absolutely makes the best LCDs and digitizers (besides phones that use Gorilla Glass, like the Droid X) of any of the manufacturers. Rarely do we ever get a Samsung phone where the glass is actually shattered, and the LCDs always have a very nice texture to them that you don't find with anyone else. (http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/8707/img20110813115813.jpg)
Slide phones are typically a pain in the ass because of the amount of screws, but Samsung phones are always nice to work on, and most of the time the digitizer has the adhesive preinstalled so it's as simple as removing a plastic sheet and placing it back in the housing (though I always heat the adhesive for a much stronger bond). (http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/3250/img20110813120200.jpg)
No before picture to compare it with, but just imagine the same screen with an almost completely unnoticeable crack in it. (http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/2636/img20110813122825.jpg)
This is a Dell Streak (5" T-Mobile variety, though I believe it's actually a world phone). This guy's kid was playing with it and was pushing on the screen too hard, cracking the LCD underneath (digitizer was completely intact still...Gorilla Glass). (http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/2248/img20110816121600.jpg)
This is the only other picture I took, so it's kind of lame to even put it here, but this thing is absolutely massive so I figured I'd share it. The touch screen and LCD are also inseparable on this device, but the parts are actually pretty cheap (probably because they just discontinued it). (http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/6155/img20110816130742.jpg)
Ever seen on of these before? Me neither. (http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/9891/img20110817122516.jpg)
It was brought in because it would no longer sync to any controllers. The problem? The small bluetooth adapter had died, it can be seen here removed and placed on the right-front side of the console. (http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9242/img20110817124434.jpg)
And here it is with a nice shiny replacement installed, five minutes later it was syncing up like a champ! (http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7020/img20110817124805.jpg)
I don't even remember if this was the same Wii or one that was brought it for disc drive related problems (I fixed three Wiis in all that day), but anyway, here's what it looks like if you take off the outer casing (and metal IR shield). (http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/9720/img20110817125120.jpg)
This is the inside of the bottom half of a DS Lite. The A button was stuck down so I replaced the pad underneath it. Easy money, maybe a 10 minute job at the most. I went ahead and cleaned the crap out of it while I had it open as well. (http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/256/img20110817151405.jpg)
Random Xbox 360 motherboard on the heater getting ready for a reflow... (http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/582/img20110819144118.jpg)
Here's a nice one - not even two weeks after buying it, this guy's daughter smasher the screen on her HTC EVO 3D. (http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4120/img20110823132437.jpg)
It's actually incredibly simple to repair just about anything (besides the charge port, the charge port is ridiculous on just about anything that's not an iPhone) on this phone. Total repair time was probably about 20 minutes, only because this was the first one that we had ever taken in. Regular EVO 4Gs take about 10 minutes, maybe less. (http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/786/img20110823132432.jpg)
Here's a nice after shot - 100% OEM parts (which we use on everything we repair unless you can't find the parts anymore). I'm not at all impressed by the 3D aspect of this phone, but Sense 3.0 is awesome. (http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1082/img20110823133857.jpg)
This guy's dog or cat chewed up his Kinect's power/USB cable. After poking around a bit I realized that the end of the cable went into a non-standard socket. The original plan was to chop of the crappy part and solder it directly to the board, but because of the socket that wasn't possible. We just did a standard cut, splice (with solder) and electric tape job. Not too proud of it, but it looked good, was soldered well, and it worked. (http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2820/img20110824173236.jpg)
This is a Droid Incredible, the kid smashed his touch screen, obviously. (http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8884/img20110825152858.jpg)
It is very similar to the EVO 4G underneath the back, and is very simple to do repairs on - the only problem (just like with the EVO 4G) is that the edge of the LCD has a layer of adhesive that connects to the digitizer, so you have to heat the phone up (very hot) and very carefully remove the glass (or the LCD) without damaging the LCD. It's very easy to go too fast and tear the front right off. (http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/8884/img20110825152858.jpg)
I didn't take any after shots (kid was waiting), but here's what the inside looks like... (http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/1158/img20110825153007.jpg)
This is how I kept busy yesterday (and today) (http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5641/img20110825185740.jpg)
But I also took the time to repair this bad boy for water damage - the Samsung Galaxy S 2 (Korean version) (http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9128/img20110826104318.jpg)
Here's what the inside looks like... (http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/534/img20110826104329.jpg)
This is after removing and completely cleaning the motherboard - the phone works perfectly other than one huge issue - the power button doesn't work. I was really hoping to power it up because this thing is an absolute beast. it's kind of funny how the US versions of the phone almost don't resemble the original at all. (http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/391/img20110826111145.jpg)
Here's a picture I took to send to my friend letting him know he didn't have E74 anymore. I always test my Xbox 360 (heat related) repairs this way - just apply thermal past and rest two (Falcon) CPU heat sinks on top of the CPU and GPU - if the console boots then you know it doesn't have any cold solder joints, because you aren't applying any pressure. (http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/372/img20110826183512.jpg)
And I just took this picture today when I was replacing the screen of an AT&T iPhone 4 to show that we use actual Apple parts, unlike some of our local competitors who will actually admit that they use cheap third party products with dim LCDs. (http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/8893/img20110827101434.jpg)
I don't expect everyone to chime in on everything, but it took me 40 minutes to make this post (with uploading to imageshack), so even a "hey, that's neat" would be appreciated (or even a "hey, **** you").
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: KnowsNothing on August 28, 2011, 01:31:09 AM
This is beyond neat, thanks a lot for sharing!
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Oblivion on August 28, 2011, 01:32:07 AM
Wow, this is pretty damn cool. If I hadn't boughten a new Wii six months ago, I would've sent my old one to you to fix the Wii disc drive.
Do you fix DSi's?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: UncleBob on August 28, 2011, 08:34:52 AM
Wow, this is pretty damn cool. If I hadn't boughten a new Wii six months ago, I would've sent my old one to you to fix the Wii disc drive.
Do you fix DSi's?
You could send him your old one and have two Wiis.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 28, 2011, 09:14:33 AM
Thanks, and yes I do fix DSi's. Anything stuck buttons to cracked screens, to replacing the digitizer to replacing the cartridge slot, and pretty much everything in between (cameras, microphone, SD slot, etc).
Also I would be happy to repair your Wii, or if you still have it and want to get rid of it we do buy broken consoles from time to time, depending on what's wrong with them.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Oblivion on August 28, 2011, 11:54:47 AM
So you could replace the L + R buttons? One of them is stuck. I mean, it works half the time but I'd still like it fixed. It's a launch day DSi so it's not under warranty.
And for how much do you buy consoles? And would you need all cables and wiimote+nunchuck, etc.?
The only thing wrong with it is it can't read discs. It seems like it doesn't spin when you put in a disc. It had just happened one day when I was playinging Brawl.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: TJ Spyke on August 28, 2011, 12:14:39 PM
Holy hell, did that guy's daughter use a hammer on his HTC Evo 3D?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 28, 2011, 12:44:38 PM
I think she just dropped the EVO 3D but they already had so many insurance claims with Sprint that they got dropped. My daughter's DSi has the same problem, it's actually quite common. The only real remedy is to replace the back bottom housing and the shoulder buttons, but we can do it. You may want to check with Nintendo first to see how much they would charge, it might be pretty cheap. I'm sure we could take the console as is w/o any accessories, or if you want to sell it as a unit that can be arranged as well. If you have an asking price send me a PM and I'll talk to the boss.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: ShyGuy on August 28, 2011, 02:05:36 PM
We use those blue plastic prying picks at the shop sometimes. They seem to be dull after one or two uses.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 28, 2011, 02:27:52 PM
Yeah I hate them but we have like 500 of them. I'm more of a fan of razor blades for prying, and the guitar pick style pry tools.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Caliban on August 28, 2011, 10:38:29 PM
Some day I will send my broken 360 Elite, and PS3 80GB to Brandogg. Someday.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Ceric on August 31, 2011, 04:44:48 PM
How hard is it to replace the touch aspect of a DS Phat? Mines perfectly fine but the Touch portion had given the ghost when the Professor Layton came out which is why I got a DSLite. I like to get it back to working order since its an original revision just to have.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 01, 2011, 08:22:40 AM
It's not very hard at all. The digitizers just cost a few bucks, and they lay right on top of the bottom LCD. The most frustrating part about reassembly is putting the shoulder buttons and microphone wire back in, everything else is a piece of cake. You'll need a small Philips screwdriver and a triwing screwdriver. The only "hidden" screws are under the two small rubber pads to the left and right of the DS cardtridge slot.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on September 02, 2011, 08:16:55 PM
B-Dogg
Need some laptop repair help. Extension connector for laptop monitor finally showed up and I connected it. Turned laptop on and there was no video. Turned laptop off, adjusted the extension on one side and turned it back on. still no pic. did same thing again on the other side.
Turned it back on and red line, smoke. Extension cable fried.
I hooked the monitor up directly to the cable connector and now the color is all screwed up. Just for comparison, I hooked up the old broken monitor (I haven't had a power connector until today BTW) and the color was all messed up on that one too for the small portion of the screen that showed anything. Is the monitor fucked or the laptop*?
p.s. I bought the laptop screen on ebay. they also sent the extension connector a week or 2 afterwards. I did not test the monitor to see if it worked at first since the connector was on the wrong side. I was gonna attempt to exchange it, but they simply said they would send the extension instead. I received the extension yesterday and installed it 20 minutes ago and now you are all caught up.
p.p.s. I connected the laptop to the TV and it works fine. video is perfect. So it must just be the monitor and/or connecting cables right?
*should the ebay seller be liable for faulty parts frying my laptop?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 02, 2011, 10:04:07 PM
I don't know for certain that it was their parts - there's a pretty decent chance you had said cable plugged in backwards (just basing this upon trying to visualize what this cable would look like). You may have blown the power inverter for your LCD (I hope that's the extent of it), which is simple to to replace it you can do the screen. There's also a decent chance that your replacement LCD is just fine too. You can at least contact them, eBay, and I assume PayPal to try to figure something out. I'll look at your laptop model in the other thread and see if I can figure anything out. Worst case scenario you end up buying a new motherboard, which is quite a pin in the ass to install, but if you have a free day and can manage your screws, isn't the most difficult thing either. It would probably be expensive, I imagine around $150-200 (that's without looking at any prices), maybe less since you already have the CPU (assuming it's removable).
Edit - actually I imagine the cable you bought is something like this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Left-Right-Screen-Extension-Cable-17-3-LCD-HP-dv7-2000-/150645305136?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231328ef30) which I guess would be impossible to plug in the wrong way. It's hard to say that it was the cable, but it is possible that it was the LCD itself. It's also possible that there was something getting shorted out in the process. Any way you can take some pics around the connector on the laptop's motherboard, the LCD, and maybe the cable itself?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on September 02, 2011, 10:24:47 PM
I only have the back of the computer open.
That is the cable they sent me.
I plugged one side into the monitor, and laid it flat on the back of the LCD, then plugged the LCD video cable into it. Seemed pretty easy.
the short started on the LCD video cable side and ran to the LCD connection point. I'll post a pic of the new LCD and the extender cable.
I also found a replacement LCD Video Cable online for $15 ($50-90 everywhere else online). So if that's all I need to replace to make the LCD show color again, that is fine. But I really don't want to replace the motherboard. It's my sisters' laptop, and she can just go buy another one if I have to go through all that trouble.
pics incoming soon.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on September 02, 2011, 10:48:52 PM
I don't know for certain that it was their parts - there's a pretty decent chance you had said cable plugged in backwards (just basing this upon trying to visualize what this cable would look like).
After watching this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8XH3kEqdM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8XH3kEqdM)
I did put it in backwards on the LCD side. I didn't know you were supposed to flip it over. Why couldn't they just make it shorter and face both connectors the same way? Should have atleast came with a warning and instructions.
Either way, the screen shows blues and greens (I will take pics after my phone charges a little bit).... does that sound like power inverter problem or an LCD cable problem?
I'm gonna try and have them just replace the LCD with one that doesn't need an extension cable. Remember that the color was all messed up on the old LCD too (after the short), so I assume the power inverter is hidden inside the laptop somewhere.
edit: HP dv7-3085dx
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 03, 2011, 08:30:38 AM
I'm not positive that the inverter would make the colors mess up like you say, typically if it's a bad inverter it will just be no picture or no backlight or something like that. Something may have blown on the board, if you can get pictures of where the LCD cable connects to the board that would be good (and the path along to it). Typically you just need to remove maybe one-four screws from the battery compartment (sometimes you don't need to remove any) so you can remove the bezel from between the LCD and keyboard, then pop the keyboard out itself, to access that cable. It's usually pretty easy.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 03, 2011, 10:54:58 PM
So here's an interesting job I did today - headphone jack replacement for a 3rd gen 32GB iPod Touch - what makes this more interesting is that said iPod belongs to fellow NRW'er leroypantweather! Got it in the mail this morning and had it done late this afternoon. Not the most pleasant thing to replace, but not too entirely difficult. Definitely not for soldering beginners though, that's for sure.
So here we are, an innocent looking iPod Touch, what could be so difficult about something so simple? (http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/282/img20110903171822.jpg)
Oh, that's right, everything else underneath the glass... (http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/9605/img20110903172035.jpg)
It amazes me how much dust can get inside of these things - the only way in is through the headphone jack, really. The glass/frame has a nearly watertight gasket, but if you have the screen on, you can see right through to the inside if you look through the jack. Anyway, here's a shot after I blew out the dust. (http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/8986/img20110903172120.jpg)
You have to pop up the LCD (very carefully as not to crack it), and then remove 8 screws from underneath to pop up the inner frame/battery in order to give yourself a little more room (and so you don't get finger prints on the screen or accidently burn it with your soldering iron). (http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6644/img20110903173731.jpg)
Here's how the headphone jack connects - 5 solder joints altogether, relavitely close to one another. Apple actually puts entirely too much solder on the connections if you ask me. There are also two screws on the right side which hold it in place. (http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/121/img20110903173907.jpg)
Some careful desoldering and a little patience and here is the jack-less iPod Touch. (http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/8479/img20110903175943.jpg)
Here's the replacement jack, it would be nice if there was a screwhole on the left side (on the ribbon cable), it would make replacement a little bit easier...but I digress. (http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/8033/img20110903180017.jpg)
This is the same jack-less iPod Touch, only after taking some braid to the board and removing as much solder as possible. If you leave it in place, you're just asking for trouble. It will spread to the other pads without hesitation and then you've got to start all over again. (http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8200/img20110903180744.jpg)
This is the last pics I took (laziness, I suppose). Just with the screws in and without the soldering job done, but rest assured it's nice and soldered now, tested it out on my desktop speakers. (http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/7910/img20110903180310.jpg)
So now she's sitting on my desk waiting until I can ship her back on Tuesday. Mr. pantweather, if you have a GMail account, please leave us a nice review on Google when you get it back.
And if you're wondering from the first pic - yes, I do strictly use a razor blade for opening up the iPod. I've done tons of these (mostly screens), and it's by far the most effective route. You just have to know where the clips are and have a little patience.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on September 04, 2011, 12:07:07 PM
These are the best pics I could take, because even though I removed every single screw on that laptop I could find, I could not remove the HDD or the front or rear casing.
THese are all of either the LCD Video connector cable connecting to the mother board or that same cable connecting to the back of the old monitor (new monitor connector is on far side) (http://i51.tinypic.com/2uf3uh4.jpg)
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2s6a2id.jpg)
(http://i51.tinypic.com/r89kzd.jpg)
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2ezlq10.jpg)
I'm gonna hook up the new monitor & take a pic so that you can see the color problems too. Maybe that will help you diagnose the problem since there doesn't seem to be any issues with the motherboard from what I can see.
edit: (http://i53.tinypic.com/20jpwev.jpg)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2ikxon4.jpg) Notice how the green shows up. It actually shimmers too. I tried to take a short video, but it doesn't show up on there very well.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/27x192f.jpg) here it is displayed on the TV at the same time. I haven't logged in since i don't know the password, but I imagine it's not really something that would just fix itself after messing with some setting in Windows.
I'll also take a pic of the back of the laptop so you can see why I can't get the HDD and back cover off, which was preventing me from fully removing the keyboard since there is a hidden screw under there somewhere.
edit: (http://i56.tinypic.com/nh1ao8.jpg)
(http://i51.tinypic.com/jzwop3.jpg)
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 04, 2011, 04:37:29 PM
I'm pretty sure you can just pull the HDD straight up and out by the plastic tab. Most HP computers have this SATA header attached (it's removable) that lets you simple drop the drive into place. You may be in luck and it could just be that your cable is bad. On long runs like that it's possible for the wires inside to burn out before the signal reaches the destination and takes out anything else. You might want to see if there's a local shop anywhere (mom and pop style) that will let you just plug a cable into the monitor and see if it changes anything - you already have the entire thing disassembled basically, so they shouldn't charge you anything (at least they shouldn't with a good conscience). That's a pretty nice laptop, btw, looks like they go for around $800 used on eBay. Should be worth fixing even if the cost ends up being over $100 or so. It's a pretty standard part (the 40 pin cable), any shop should have one on hand if they do any kind of laptop work. Also the inverter is wrapped up in that insulation it seems (where the white sticker with the barcode is) - you can see the pink/black wire branch out of it with a coupler to attack to the motherboard. You can cut open that wrapping (very carefully) and see if you notice any damage, just be sure to wrap it back up when your done.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: leroypantweather on September 09, 2011, 06:32:44 PM
Just a follow up for everyone, I got my iPod back today. Brandogg's service was prompt and the repair appears to be of excellent quality. I would strongly recommend his repair service.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Morari on September 09, 2011, 07:42:16 PM
Unfortunately your iPod has been mysteriously crammed full of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears remixes.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on September 09, 2011, 09:35:31 PM
And mayonnaise.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on September 09, 2011, 11:07:20 PM
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: oohhboy on September 10, 2011, 03:59:18 AM
Damn Terry Crews injecting himself into everything.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 20, 2011, 11:16:00 PM
Back by zero demand - I took these photos a month or so ago, I figured maybe BnM2k1 would be interested...Motorola Droid X digitizer replacement coming right up! (http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/171/img20111102123321.jpg)
First step is to remove the battery cover, battery, and MicroSD card of course...but that's boring, afterwards you need to remove the top and bottom bumpers that hide some more screws (and the easy-to-lose microphone cover)... (http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/5500/img20111102124742.jpg)
Then a little prying on the clips of the narrow side let you easily remove the entire back casing of the phone, a pry tool will help on the wide side... (http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/3729/img20111102124843.jpg)
Not counting the camera there are only two cables you need to remove to get the motherboard out of the phone. They're hidden by a type of black tape for some reason which is easily removed... (http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7648/img20111102125351.jpg)
The motherboard easily comes out afterwards, exposing 13 tiny torx 3 screws that need to be remove to get the LCD out... (http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/3319/img20111102125543.jpg)
That's the pile of screws on the left side. Don't lose these...well, you could probably lose like 8 of them and still be fine but you don't want any dust getting inside the phone... (http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1448/img20111102130306.jpg)
And then there's the finished product. I forgot to take pics of the LCD out of the phone, but the less time you waste at this step, the less likely any dust will make its way into the phone. It's really a simple phone to fix, takes about 10 minutes from start to finish (after you've done your first one at least). (http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/6909/img20111102131941.jpg)
I've got some more "exciting" ones lined up, including a DS Lite cart slot replacement, iPad 2 digitizer replacement, iPad LCD, I might take pics next time I change the laser on a "Slim" Xbox 360...those things die out very quickly. If you have one, I highly recommend installing all of your games to the HDD (and making your own 320GB HDD for $50). I also did three HTC Inspires over the weekend...those are a lot of fun, way easier than I thought they would be. I read where some dude claiming to be a pro took about 5 hours to change his own screen...takes me about 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 20, 2011, 11:24:12 PM
It's very interesting that you post that because my screen is dying on me as we speak.
the bottom 1/8 of my screen is constantly fading in and out and usually just blacked out. The other day the bottom 1/2 of the screen faded/flickered to black and I could't even get past the lock screen without some dumb luck as I kept trying to figure out what button I needed to push next to unlock my phone.
I'm eligible for upgrade, but I'm trying to hold out as long as possible. Now if my screen goes out, I have a guide right here on the forums to fix it myself.... but I do have phone insurance too. Not sure how much it cost to just get a replacement. I should look into that.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on November 21, 2011, 10:34:41 AM
Yeah I did the digitizer on this one, but the LCD is the same process essentially. One thing I really like about Motorola is that they never fuse the LCD to the digitizer, or even adhere them together, making screen replacements essentially painless on every phone of theirs I have done, not counting the Atrix, which is a fucking pain in the ass due to the touch screen controller's placement. Should be doing a Droid Bionic sometime this week, maybe next, it's very similar to this one, only a little easier supposedly.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Lithium on November 25, 2011, 05:19:31 AM
what's that white stuff?! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puZT1Aii8aw&feature=related)
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on May 07, 2014, 11:24:33 PM
So, I've done thousands of phones and consoles in the past 2.5 years since my last post (even a Wii U), but the other day I had a first. When I was replacing the battery in an iPad 2, the damn thing literally burst into flames right in my hands. There was an actual fire in the iPad. I should have taken more pics, this was after I ran outside with it. But here's the thing - the iPad works perfect (with a new battery, of course) - bear in mind these were actual 400F+ flames within millimeters of incredibly fragile parts. Apple makes some severely over priced products, but their build quality is essentially second to none.
(http://i.imgur.com/XFvhex5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/PDj4Yct.jpg)
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: nickmitch on May 08, 2014, 02:50:21 PM
Yikes! Glad you weren't injured.
Pretty sweet pics though.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on July 21, 2015, 03:47:47 AM
So B-Dogg, my phone screen cracked a few weeks ago, pieces have been chipping off slowly. I'm getting a replacement GS3, but I'm wondering if you have any good refurbished Verizon phones on hand you might be willing to part with, since upgrading is a nightmare if trying to keep your grandfathered unlimited internet.
Maybe a good as new GS5, or an HTC one or something along those lines.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on July 21, 2015, 11:26:34 AM
I wish...best thing I have is an LG G2. Now that I'm out of that business I don't mess with phones too much anymore, just the occassiona fix for friends and family.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Wah on July 21, 2015, 07:55:21 PM
Maybe you could repair my antique nes for me in exchange for a 3 course meal..
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: oohhboy on July 21, 2015, 11:10:00 PM
You better make it a date.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 22, 2015, 02:39:23 AM
Maybe you could repair my antique nes for me in exchange for a 3 course meal..
So were you planning on coming to Florida to cook it for him, or did you expect him to go to Australia?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Khushrenada on July 22, 2015, 02:51:54 AM
Why are you trying to complicate things? Lucariofan99 can just mail Brandogg the meal along with his NES to Florida. No travel involved.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: NWR_insanolord on July 22, 2015, 02:56:52 AM
I have to think that would degrade the quality of the meal. And shipping two packages internationally seems like a huge waste. Unless you put both in the one, and I guess if Brandogg's repairing it anyway it's probably not too much more work to clean food out of it.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Khushrenada on July 22, 2015, 03:39:10 AM
From what I've seen in the culinary thread, I think Lucariofan99 is such a genius chef that he could make the meal shipment work. I know when it comes to food that you only can picture a Philly Cheesesteak and think of how that sandwich would fall apart in your hands even before getting it in a package to ship. However, Lucariofan99 is a culinary master who can think beyond just a sandwich when it comes to meal ideas. And with today's high quality food preservation standards, which can be seen in items like Twinkies and McDonald's cheeseburgers, I have no doubt that Lucariofan99 would be able to whip up a high quality meal like a French Onion soup appetizer, Tournedos Rossini main course and Chocolate Souffle dessert and have it all arrive perfectly and instantly servable. Lucariofan99 is modern cooking at its finest. Cooking has evolved and the future is now.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on July 22, 2015, 10:05:23 AM
Well, I'm sold. Just direct the postman to travel East that way he goes back in time and the meal is fresh. Of course since it'll be going back in time I will have never known about this deal, so I'll just receive a package with an NES and a 3 course meal and keep the NES and eat the meal no questions asked.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Khushrenada on July 22, 2015, 02:33:32 PM
But that will create a time paradox and a rip in the fabric of space/time!! I know you are pretty handy with a lot of high-tech equipment repair but do you really think you can fix space/time?
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on July 22, 2015, 03:24:26 PM
No, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: Wah on July 22, 2015, 10:09:21 PM
I wish...best thing I have is an LG G2. Now that I'm out of that business I don't mess with phones too much anymore, just the occassiona fix for friends and family.
I went through two faulty replacements before they just sent new a brand new GS5 in its place for no additional cost. So now I have a brand new phone :) Upgraded and got to keep my unlimited data plan. Couldn't be happier.
Title: Re: Just another day at the office...
Post by: BranDonk Kong on August 04, 2015, 06:42:55 PM
