So...i managed to pick up a very rare Mac accelerator - the Daystar PowerCard 601 for my Macintosh LC475 - unfortunately, the main die of the PPC601 is...well, it's cracked. like 1/3rd the way across. Dead.
However, i'm seriously a little nutty and want to try and resurrect the card.
The chip is a TQFP304 part, and i have no doubt i can remove it, but i dunno if i have the skills to solder a new one on in its place...
As for where i got some PPC601's - well...i found a seller that has 720 NoS ones for sale for $500 and i'm seriously considering buying that, too!
So to circle back - does anyone here have the skills, to do such a job? I'd obviously be happy to pay for the service!
TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:01 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
You might be best looking for rework companies who can change chips... They tend to have xray machines to check for duff joints and shorts..
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:01 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
Well i went halves with a friend and now i own 360 PowerPC 601's - 80Mhz Original's
Anyone want a few? :p
Anyone want a few? :p
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
You may need a expert with a microscope
Try contacting Bruce with some pictures
https://recapamac.com.au/
Tom
Try contacting Bruce with some pictures
https://recapamac.com.au/
Tom
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
TQFP is fine really. You can even do them without a microscope and inspect them after with a magnifier. A hoof tip on the soldering iron, good flux, a microscope and practice make it pretty easy though.
On a rare card I'd cut the old chip legs to minimise risk to the PCB removing the cracked package rather than go full tilt with the hot air.
I could swap it but i don't know the first thing about Macs and wouldn't be able to test or guarantee success. If you can't find a trusted pro mac repairer I'd take a look for you. I'm in Oxfordshire...
On a rare card I'd cut the old chip legs to minimise risk to the PCB removing the cracked package rather than go full tilt with the hot air.
I could swap it but i don't know the first thing about Macs and wouldn't be able to test or guarantee success. If you can't find a trusted pro mac repairer I'd take a look for you. I'm in Oxfordshire...
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:01 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
It
The board isn't too populated in the area where the chip sits, it should be doable - i'm just useless at soldering TQFP parts, even with drag soldering (K-Tip and Amtech 559) always seem to create bridges behind pins where it's nigh impossible to get out.
I'll take a picture, close up, if you're up for it - well, the card is already dead, so it can't get any deader! DM me with your hourly rate
Yes, i had thought that cutting the legs would be the way to go, too, i need to get a dremel, i think. Any excuse to get one finallycmorley wrote: ↑Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:50 am TQFP is fine really. You can even do them without a microscope and inspect them after with a magnifier. A hoof tip on the soldering iron, good flux, a microscope and practice make it pretty easy though.
On a rare card I'd cut the old chip legs to minimise risk to the PCB removing the cracked package rather than go full tilt with the hot air.
I could swap it but i don't know the first thing about Macs and wouldn't be able to test or guarantee success. If you can't find a trusted pro mac repairer I'd take a look for you. I'm in Oxfordshire...
The board isn't too populated in the area where the chip sits, it should be doable - i'm just useless at soldering TQFP parts, even with drag soldering (K-Tip and Amtech 559) always seem to create bridges behind pins where it's nigh impossible to get out.
I'll take a picture, close up, if you're up for it - well, the card is already dead, so it can't get any deader! DM me with your hourly rate
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
post the pic here for all to see
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:01 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
Okay - here goes!
The Daystar PowerCard 601 Itself, naked without the heatsink - just look at that crack!
Closeup of the TQFP PPC601 itself
Backside of the card
Optional L2 Cache Card included, though
I did these full size so you can see all the detail, but if needed, i can resize downwards.
-
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:01 am
- Location: East Sussex
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
The chip covered by the CE/FCC ID sticker is the first known ARM chip used in a Mac - it handles the 040 to PPC bus translation. A lot of people would kill to have the schematics for this thing...
No luck finding the IC through anyone dealing with NoS or used - not even UTSource.
No luck finding the IC through anyone dealing with NoS or used - not even UTSource.
Re: TQFP Soldering Gods Required! (PAID WORK)
Yes I could do that if you strike out finding an Apple specialist who can do a proper repair. I would just be able to swap the chip - that is all, no testingg, no diagnostics.