I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
I installed the PicoBoot Modchip. I'm not an expert at soldering, but I did my best. I followed the video just like it said:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwL4ZSa0xMo[/youtube]
When I was finished soldering the PicoBoot Modchip and placing the software on it, I tested the console with just the power brick to see if it would turn on. It turned on, so I thought I was good to go. I also installed a new CR2032 battery. After I put everything back together, I now see that the fan spins, the LED flashes for a second then goes away, but the fan keeps spinning, the disc inside doesn't spin, and no display shows up, even though the console stays powered on. Based on the description and the images, what do you guys think is wrong with my console? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwL4ZSa0xMo[/youtube]
When I was finished soldering the PicoBoot Modchip and placing the software on it, I tested the console with just the power brick to see if it would turn on. It turned on, so I thought I was good to go. I also installed a new CR2032 battery. After I put everything back together, I now see that the fan spins, the LED flashes for a second then goes away, but the fan keeps spinning, the disc inside doesn't spin, and no display shows up, even though the console stays powered on. Based on the description and the images, what do you guys think is wrong with my console? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
If the LED goes off it means there is a short somewhere. No offence but your soldering looks really bad, the exposed parts of the wires are way too long and there are loose strands that can touch nearby points.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
Agreed bare wire ends far too long u only need enough to touch the pin and take solder
And too heavy with the solder blobs too.
Id take all that off retrim and start again.
Also try thinner gauge cable
And too heavy with the solder blobs too.
Id take all that off retrim and start again.
Also try thinner gauge cable
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
I'm very new to this. When you say there's a short, does that mean I have to find the exact thing that shorted and repair it? How would I go about finding it? I have a multimeter.
Last edited by Readmit on Thu Jul 28, 2022 8:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
How do you remove sodder? I'm using this sodder wick made of copper. I also have a sodder sucker, but I'm a little hesitant to use it. I was using 26 gauge wires, would you recommend 18 gauge by any chance?
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
Yeah you did a huge mess on that board. There are multiple shorts on Serial Port pins and you ripped a pad on U10. I'd recommend giving the console to someone who knows how to fix it. I'm afraid you'll do even more damage and make it unfixable.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
I will send it to a mod servicer. I have to ask for future reference, do you think it had anything to do with me using a very high temperature. I went 480°F.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
After I removed the PicoBoot, I tested the GameCube again, and it's alive and well. It has display, sound, led full time, game plays fine, and everything is working great. Should I make another attempt at the PicoBoot installation, or take this as a warning. I'm so happy and relieved that it's not dead.
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Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
480 degrees
you overcame a little...
your Gamecube was lucky it was still working...
you left the wires in contact between the points on the board...
you overcame a little...
your Gamecube was lucky it was still working...
you left the wires in contact between the points on the board...
SWISS USER
DEBUG IS NECESSARY
DEBUG IS NECESSARY
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
480°F is only 250°C, which is very low.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
Hi, I sent the GC to a professional, but I wanted to clarify a mistake that I made in this post. I said that I set my soldering iron to 480°F. I just checked and it was in fact 480°C, which is about 896°F. Is that too hot for what I was doing? Please let me know, because I do want to know for future reference. Thanks.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
That's pretty hot even for lead-free solder.
Re: I tried installing the PicoBoot now GC doesn't work
300-350C is a reasonable range for leaded solder. Tin the pad and the wire then you can make a connection very quickly. Using flux will help a lot.