We will be launching our "Project Recycle" Program you can follow our progress in our news section or on Facebook. Details will be coming soon!

Now Offering More Options for Affordable Computer Repair

Have you ever had a laptop that in the middle of use, it would just power off? Most of the time, the problem is caused by one of the SMT (Surface Mounted Technology). For the sake of an example we will say it’s the video chip. Now, most computer manufactures have the fan/ heat sink assembly going to the processor and the video chip for cooling. It’s important to keep the processor and the video chip cool. So making sure the vent to your fan is clear of any dust and debris is a good way of maintaining your computer, to prevent costly repairs. In the case that the video card is no longer working and the computer will turn off during use or will not turn on at all is a way the machine will protect itself from further damage. Well what has happened is that the SMT has become to hot and it’s held on the motherboard by a series of little pins or balls made out of solder and flux. If you’re familiar with soldering, you know that you have to heat solder up for it to become a liquid. Well these SMTs become VERY hot and will actually melt the solder between the chip and the motherboard. Every time you heat the solder to a temperature that will liquefy, it will loose a bit of the flux causing the solder to become less stable. Solder that is not strong will cause problems with the communication process of that chip. Again, this is where your computer will not turn on or will turn off to prevent further damage. Now there are four options of repairing such an issue:

1: Purchase and install a new motherboard. Which is the most expensive option out of the four listed.

2: Rework/ re-flow the chip: Heating the chip and adding liquid flux to allow the solder and flux to repair the soldered joint, however this is not always going to fix the issue because if the chips solder points are extremely damaged a solder point will need to be replaced.

3: Reballing the chip, is the process of removing the SMT and taking off all the balls or solder joints between the motherboard and the chip to replace them with new solder and flux. This process will be the best solution for an affordable fix without having to buy a new motherboard. However this process is very labor intensive, with a zero margin for error and will still be a little on the expensive side however, it’s cheaper than buying a new motherboard or a new computer. The only time this will not work is if the entire chip in bad or the connection at the motherboard is damaged. In that case you will have no other choice other than option one or four.

4: Replace the chip, again this is something very labor intensive and precise, where the process of removing the SMT from the motherboard and soldering on a new one. Where there is cost in purchasing a new chip will also factor in on the cost. Some chips are expensive and as stated above the process is very precise and labor intensive with an absolute zero tolerance for error.

Most companies or your local “computer guy” is not able to offer all of these options due to the cost of the proper tools. Most places will just inform you that you will need to purchase a new motherboard or a new computer. Some local computer companies might take on a re-flow however, they will use a heat gun and this is not the proper way to re-flow a chip because the board is not getting heat simultaneously from the top and bottom. This might “fix” the computer for a very short period of time but prepare yourself for another visit and possibly more money out of your pocket for yet another re-flow and another short period of time before you encounter the same problem, yet again. I know that when your computer is broken it can be very stressful and painful to your pocket. 9DesignOnline.com is able to offer all 4 of these options so you can chose which will best fit your price range. All of these options are done with the proper tools and excellent workmanship to provide the best service for you! Also giving a new lease on life to your, what would be end of life computer. These processes can also be done on Sony’s Playstation 3, Xbox and Wii.

We are dedicated to reducing E-waste by passing down affordable repairs to our clients and paying cash for your recyclable non-working/ unused electronics. Thank you for checking us out and we look forward to serving you with all your electronic needs!

Designed and Hosted by: 9 Design Online

9DESIGNONLINE.COM

Buffalo, NY