gc-forever - Gamecube/Wii Forums

I ordered a Xeno chip from modchipcentral. After attempting to install it the first time, I was welcomed with a red light from the chip. Tried to heat up the solder more in case it hadn't connected with the Gamecube. No juice. Tried to remove the solder and go the wired route. This proved nearly fatal, as gently rocking the chip to remove it also tore some of the copper solder tabs on my Gamecube. I found alternate connections however, and all but one needed tab were still attached. I didn't know for sure if the connection I used for this tab WAS an alternative, but it appears to be connected to the original solder point on the Gamecube PCB.
After this ordeal of wiring, I turned on my Gamecube. Still starts up fine, however my Xeno was now FLASHING red rather than just a solid color. The only place I saw this on any forum was saying that means my chip is a dud. Is this true? Or did I screw myself with my shoddy solder job? My wiring looks fine, no shorts or anything that I can see on the chip or the Gamecube.

Xeno v2 has an orange led instead of green.

Streetwalker wrote:Xeno v2 has an orange led instead of green.

I know, but this light is flashing red. Not orange. Plus, it doesn't recognize or read my burned disks.

Post pictures of your install.

Sorry for the wait, had school.
Here is a photo. It's not the best, but yeah.
https://imgur.com/6dKV6ac

I know it's a bit messy, I'm not great at soldering and I also was trying to salvage it from my failed attempt at first.
I went through and checked for shorts, and everything appears to be fine on both the Gamecube and the Xeno.
This is where I saw the alternative solder points. The only problematic one is the most leftward one, which was torn off with the original poor solder job.
http://www.mod4u.eu/files/xenogc_install_wired.jpg

I'm fairly certain I screwed it all up, but I still think there is also a problem with the chip, since my Xeno's light does not show a solid red color as if it were a failed install, it blinks which is weird.

you can always try to wire it directly to the other side of the board

megalomaniac wrote:you can always try to wire it directly to the other side of the board

Could you point me to a photo or diagram or something of this?

maser7 wrote:

megalomaniac wrote:you can always try to wire it directly to the other side of the board

Could you point me to a photo or diagram or something of this?

http://www.theisozone.com/forum/viewtop ... 41&t=36603

SirJaredSalty wrote: http://www.theisozone.com/forum/viewtop ... 41&t=36603

Thank you!

maser7 wrote:

SirJaredSalty wrote: http://www.theisozone.com/forum/viewtop ... 41&t=36603

Thank you!

I'd probably use the OP's fix, as his is much cleaner and easier to see. I also looked at your pic that you posted, and I'd probably not use that type of wire that comes out in multiple strands.

maser7 wrote:Sorry for the wait, had school.
Here is a photo. It's not the best, but yeah.

Black wire is not connected due to broken traces. Use the via alt point.
Red wire doesn't look soldered in photo, but should be good.

Tips:
Should tape up the GC board to prevent shorts.
Use solid rather than stranded wires. wire wrap / 30 awg
Use flux / good soldering practices

Yeah, I'm not good at soldering at all. Obviously.

I used jinn's fix. While my Xeno appears to have a solid orange LED, I have screwed my entire Gamecube in the process. It no longer outputs video, but there's still audio, and it won't read ANY disks, including actual games.

Lesson learned: I'm not good at soldering at all.
Thanks for the help though guys.