What are basic diagnostic tests on a Windows laptop that won

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <lm0tp6$g4v$1@news.albasani.net>, Calia <calia@its.invalid>
writes:

On Tue, 27 May 2014 00:00:05 +0100, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

melting the solder on the pins of the IC with a hot air blower.

I was wondering what that was, as he seemed too close for it
to be a flame burner.

It's generally a thing not unlike a very specialised (usually with a
temperature control) hair-dryer. You can get assorted nozzles, some
shaped to suit devices; the one I think he was using was just the one
that reduces the nozzle diameter to about a third, which gives a more
directable stream (but you have to move it about more).

I think a flame burner would pollute the environment (I mean the board
and components, not the planet) too much: you really need a fairly clean
environment for fine solder, flux, and solder-resist all to work as
they're supposed to.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

TV and radio presenters are just like many people, except they tend to wear
make-up all the time. Especially the radio presenters. - Eddie Mair, in Radio
Times 25-31 August 2012

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <lm0tri$g4v$2@news.albasani.net>, Calia <calia@its.invalid>
writes:

On Tue, 27 May 2014 00:00:05 +0100, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

I'd have some Kapton tape (like the yellow tape visible near
the top of the video around just after 7 minutes in) over the other
small components around:

I had never heard of this "kapton" tape!

Googling, I'm still not sure what it is, but it must be a great
insulator.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapton

I must admit I was just using the name those who taught me PCB rework
used, though I _think_ it's correct. (The Wiki article doesn't mention
this specific use.) Though not perfect - the adhesive tends to weaken a
little under the great heat (and fair amount of wind!) required when
removing a largish chip - it does a pretty good job of protecting
(somewhat) the solder holding down the smaller adjacent components,
and/or holding those components in place if their holding solder _does_
get melted. The fact that it's transparent helps too: foil, as mentioned
by someone else in this thread, probably protects better, but you can't
see through it.

As we use it, it's on rolls, looking like thin brown "Sellotape" (UK -
Scotch tape I think US). I think the rolls shown in the Wiki article are
like it (though not sure if those ones have adhesive backing).
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

10.0 times 0.1 is hardly ever 1.0.

 

[J. P. Gilliver (John)]

In message <lm0tv1$g4v$3@news.albasani.net>, Calia <calia@its.invalid>
writes:

On Tue, 27 May 2014 00:00:05 +0100, J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:

I'd agree with those expressing doubt as to whether it's worth it, and
try with an external monitor first.

I hadn't even thought of that!

It's a great idea.

I have one at work, which I can test out tomorrow!

Thanks!

Do check first whether any of the function keys switch between monitors:
many (I think most, I'm guessing to save battery power) laptops don't
drive the external VGA socket unless you tell them to. Look for blue (or
whatever colour the "Fn" on the function key is in) symbols on the F
keys, that look (if you have a good imagination!) like monitors; on here
it's Fn+F4. The sequence varies between models; a typical sequence is
that successive presses switch from internal monitor, to external
monitor, to both, and back again to internal (only). Some detect the
presence of an external monitor and only drive it if it's there; some do
that, but only do the detecting at bootup. So you've got lots to try!

I hope the monitor you try can do the resolution and refresh rates your
laptop puts out; it might be worth trying a few such (from whatever it's
normally connected to) first, to see what it says. (Most monitors give
subtly different displays for: no signal; signal out of range; signal
they can display. No signal they usually go into standby, ditto signal
out of range - but for both of those, they may display something
different for a small number of seconds first.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

10.0 times 0.1 is hardly ever 1.0.