Apple iBook

Apple Ibook/Powerbook Repair: Causes, Symptoms and Solutions offered:

G3/Laptop Logic Boards: Most common defects on the Apple iBook G3, G4 Powerbook, Thinkpad and other model failures 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 )

To date we have successfully repaired well over 500 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.