Dreamcast VGA alternate pad for VGA switch?I

I hope you guys can help me.

I followed the instructions of this page:
http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/sega/dc-vga.htm


Inadvertently I lifted the pad where you solder the VGA signal that goes to the switch.I know, I'm an idiot.

Two questions:
1 ) Where else on the motherboard could I solder this cable to?
2 ) Would this still work as RGB through VGA port if I wire it as-is?

Thanks guys.

 

Nobody??? please help guys.
The mod doesn't work unless I wire that switch. There MUST be a way to tap that signal from somewhere else

 

for vga output you need to ground both pins, if you ground only the rgb pin, you can get 15khz rgb(480i) through vga port. this is equal to a scart connection, if you ground vga pin too you will get 480p. That pin can be traced back but I can't tell exactly from where, you should check with a multimeter? I don't remember, also you should post a hi res image of your disaster...

 

Yeah, I figured as much.

Well, since the pad is completely gone, I can't trace it, because if I found a pad that has the signal to put my multimeter on it, I would have already soldered a cable to it Also the pins on the port itself are too tiny, I don't think I can do it.

I know it should go to the video chip but I would like an intermediate pad somewhere so I don't have to solder a cable to a pin on the video chip. My soldering iron already caused too much disaster

 

So yeah, for the time being, I have undone the mod. I really have no clue how to trace this signal back to another pad or pin on a chip. If anybody can help I'd be forever grateful. Maybe someone with a non-broken pad can trace the signal somewhere else. I can't even see where the trace goes to

Will have to do for now with the Composite connector.

 

Alternate solder point

I had this same exact problem. I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that this pad does not connect to any more surface mount components or large solder pads. The good news is that there is one other place that you can solder to, but it is a via.

If you look on the top side of the board, right between the two main chips you will see a resistor labeled 'R124' The via that you can solder to is the one the goes through the curved part of the 2 in that label. You can see it at this link:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Sega-Dreamcast-Motherboard.jpg

What I did is I took a piece of stranded wire and just put a single strand through the via from the bottom and then melted some solder over the top side of the board where the strand was sticking out. You do not want to put the wire in through the top because the via comes out right between two surface mount resistor pads and it would be impossible to solder without shorting the two. I then put some hot glue on either side to make sure the single strand did not break.

I hooked everything else up and it worked like a charm. I can send you some pics if you want, but good luck!

 

Nice work. Although I was fortunate enough not to having this happen to me I wouldnt mind pics anyhow.

 

You should easily be able to solder to the top side where the pins connect to the video port. They're very narrow but can be done with a fine tip.

 

this.
just make sure you get the right pin and don't bridge any others.

 

And use flux. The stuff will help the solder get sucked straight to the pin and avoid bridging. It isn't fool proof but it sure helps.

 

indeed can be messy but it's handy especially in tight spots like that. which reminds me i need to stock up on supplies. solder, flux, wire etc pfff effort.