BIOS Mod Help

Hi,

I started trying to install region free bios chip today on my dreamcast, but when I was removing the stock bios I've removed some of the solder pads. I made a mess of it seeing as It didn't have any chip quick and just cut the legs away with small diamond cutter.

Is there any other solder locations for the pads or should I just trash the board?

I've checked with a mulitmeter that IC501 pad 13 connects to IC502 leg 23 and IC501 pad 14 connects to IC502 leg 24. Is that right?

Couldn't find anything with the other two broke pads

 

Its repairable. You just need to follow the traces and connect to them somewhere further down.

 

thanks, done that for pad 13 and 14. having trouble finding a spot for pad 19 and 34

 

Bit of a pain fixing the pads. Installed and working was going to do a vga mod, but after that couldn't be asked.

 

Blargh! This happened to me last night, trying to do my saturn BIOS! Except the pads came off when I was using my soldering iron to remove the little leftover bits from snipping off the original BIOS.


Click to enlarge

Don't suppose anybody has a photo of the Saturn motherboard with all the chips removed? It would help with those pads on the right side that go underneath that UMC chip. The yellow arrow points to a bit where the track started peeling off the board, because it was attached to the solder pad that lifted off...

 

I wish I could help you, but I've never done bios mod on the saturn. Do you have a multimeter? you'll just have to follow the traces

 

I do, but some of the traces disappear under other IC's on the board, so it's a right pain trying to figure out where they go...

 

If there's holes in the traces that lead to one of the UMC chip legs then solder the leg of the bios chip to that hole in the trace, There might be some solder mask on the board so be very carefull (you can damage the trace) and scrape a bit of the solder mask off the hole. If theres no hole in the trace and directly connects to the UMC chip solder a wire from the leg of the bios chip and connect it to that leg of the umc chip were it leads to. This is the reason why im getting a hot air station for saturn installs... very low risk to no risk of lifting pads.

*Edit* also if you see a trace that leads to that pad and is going in the opposite direction as well, solder another wire to that point of the board (These i believe are called double traces) and put it to the next point in that direction.

*Edit 2* this board looks like it is used in the later model 1's, if it is then let this be warning as i had the same problem with this board, It looks these pads on this board revision are really delicate compared to other boards because it happen to me as well.

*Edit 3* The yellow arrow that points to that trace could be it. just follow it and reconnect it, you have nothing to lose i think at this point

 

IIRC that board is a VA7. I've got some high rez shots of the VA8 somewhere but nothing for the VA7. They're different enough not to be useful unfortunately especially as I've got a VA7 that must have a trace or two damaged after repairing a handful.

I hate that glue.

 

I actually feel bad that I am causing consoles to get damaged.

If you arent certain you can do the work without damage - you shouldnt attempt it. Its easy enough to remove the chips without damage if you are experienced.

 

I was just going to say the same thing. Also having the right tools makes it alot easier as well.

 

pic removed

 

Beautiful install. How'd you remove the original IC...Hot Air/Rework Station?

 

If it makes you feel any better I haven't damaged a single Saturn since the VA7 and that one was solely because of the bloody glue. Totally fixable I just haven't had the time to remove the chip and check the traces.

I sold a PS1 chip the other day and the guy installing it lifted a tiny part effectively killing the PS1. Completely fixable but I couldn't help but feel bad.

 

Glue isnt an issue. I dont even notice its there until I see it. The chip detaches from the glue when its warm.

 

Same here. I believe i fixed it but when i was reassembling, it turned out the power supply wanted to conk out on me. so i never really knew if i repaired the damage properly or not.

 

I've done this quite a number of times successfully. I installed the PSOne chip without any difficulty. I've never had a PCB that's just disintegrated before my eyes like this.

 

It wasnt directed at you, just generally.

However, onechip install isnt in the same league.

 

Before when i had 0 experiance, i tried to do an install on a 9001 with a 40 watt plug in the wall soldering iron, ended up removing a 0402 resistor off the board. It ended up rendering it useless after not finding where it went . Practiced soldering everyday for a good while, now its like a walk in the park if your using/have the right tools.

 

I have a decent temp-controlled fine-tipped iron, it's really one of the best tools that I own.