iBook Repairs G3,G4

Tips on removal and installation of
an Apple iBook G3 12" logic board
iBook G3 14"


Instructions:

1) Remove logic board from laptop and ship just the logic board in an ESD safe bag.

2) Make sure logic board is shipped in carton with 2" of protective packaging like bubble wrap.

3) Fill out logic board form (download form) and send with your logic board to address below.

4) Upon receipt, Logic board will be inspected to verify if board has been reworked, or if any other damage is present.

5) Once video chip is reflowed or reballed we will contact you for payment information.

6) First Phase Tech accepts all major credit cards as well as Paypal. Payment by check is also accepte but shipment will be delayed until check is deposited and clears.

7) Return shipping to continental US is free and will be shipped by USPS Flat Rate Priority shipping.


Apple Ibook Repair: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions offered:

G3 Logic Boards: Most common defects on the Apple iBook G3 failure are periodic stress fractures on the video BGA that cause video failure. Using X-Ray and our BGA-1000 inspection scope,we have identified that there are inconsistent sized solder joint fractures beneath the device. Inconsistent solder paste volume during the manufacture of the logic board results in stress not being distributed evenly (the smaller, lower mass solder joints take on the majority of the expansion stress which over time causes them to fracture).

G4 Logic Boards: The Apple G4 Logic board failures exhibit the same thermal/mechanical stress fractures to the video BGA mentioned above, but in addition, have a history of fractured solder joints on SOIC devices affecting the video circuit. As part of our G4 service, First Phase Technologies will re-solder each pin on these devices whether we can visually see a fracture or not.

(G4 fractures on SOIC device) (Suspect BGA device G3&G4)

To date we have successfully repaired well over 100 of these now for various customers providing our BGA chip reflow service. Our first repaired units have been in operation for over a year with no reoccurrence of the problem. Please note that this service may only be an interim solution. We’d like to believe that our reflow soldering is more focused and effective than the OEM’s, (providing you a permanent, long term repair), however, reflowing the device does not correct severely inconsistent paste printing by the OEM that built the logic board. The only way to correct that is by re-balling the device, which we can offer for the “Rage” type ATI chip, but not on those with the memory devices on top of the GPU. The yield on reball of those is approx %50 since they are not robust enough to handle the reballing process. You can contact us for more information.

Cost is $50 plus $12.00 Shipping and handling.

Please download this iBook Repair Form


NOTE: Prior to sending us your logic board for repair, please note that we do not functionally test or diagnose this manufacturing defect. That is the responsibility of the customer. FPT recommends that you hook up an external monitor to your laptop to verify that you have have a problem with the GPU circuitry. If your external monitor performs correctly, you have a bad display and our service will not correct that.


Copyright © First Phase Technologies, 2007
2640 W. Medtronic Way. Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone:   (480) 283-3205 FAX:      (480) 446-3153

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