It’s not subtle but apparently it works. Mark Hoekstra has published a full rundown on geektechnique.org as to how he fixed a 600 MHz iBook G3 with the infamous video problem (which Apple offered a logic board replacement program via a range of serial numbers to help rectify).
Since the program ended back in 2005, Mark found a forum thread over on MacNN that described how the video chip is loosely soldered onto the logic board via a Ball Grid Array.
When these solder points don’t hold, one solution is to reflow the solder using either a heat gun or even a blow torch. Given that Mark didn’t have one, he incorporated tea light candles and alcohol.
This is not recommended by any means, but it makes for an interesting sight:
In the end, the process resoldered the graphics chip to the logic board and the iBook was back to its functional self.
If you’ve seen or heard about any similar fixes, let us know.
It’s not subtle but apparently it works. Mark Hoekstra has published a full rundown on geektechnique.org as to how he fixed a 600 MHz iBook G3 with the infamous video problem (which Apple offered a logic board replacement program via a range of serial numbers to help rectify).
Since the program ended back in 2005, Mark found a forum thread over on MacNN that described how the video chip is loosely soldered onto the logic board via a Ball Grid Array.
When these solder points don’t hold, one solution is to reflow the solder using either a heat gun or even a blow torch. Given that Mark didn’t have one, he incorporated tea light candles and alcohol.
This is not recommended by any means, but it makes for an interesting sight:
In the end, the process resoldered the graphics chip to the logic board and the iBook was back to its functional self.
If you’ve seen or heard about any similar fixes, let us know.