[Gllug] component level repair (was Open Source Hardware User Group meeting)

[general_email at technicalbloke.com]

Andrew Back wrote:
> On (07:15 08/05/10), general_email at technicalbloke.com wrote:
>
> <<SNIP>>
>
>   
>> Doing it yourself has pretty much disappeared with the advent of surface
>> mounted everything but I know of at least one UK company who fix
>> component level faults on laptop motherboards for a (fairly) flat fee of
>> £60+VAT and have free delivery/collection in central London. Considering
>> the faff, the kit and the skills needed I think that's a truly
>> remarkable price.
>>     
>
> That's amazing and I've no idea how they manage this. Even when most ICs
> were DIL and PLCC packaged, if a job was not reasonably quick to fix our
> policy was to pay a few hundred quid to ICL and swap the board for a
> refurbished one (~mid 90s). Even when working on microwave radio modules
> that cost a few grand to replace, policy was to spend a half day or day at
> most at attempting a repair.
>  
>   

Yeah I think it's because most probs are quite simple and just need a
little bit of solder reflowing and stuff. I suppose freeze spray can
help you find a problem area and years of experience has to make up the
rest!



>> Some times they charge extra for parts (as someone said there's no
>> repairing a processor!) and if they do need extra parts and you decide
>> not to proceed there's a £20 inspection fee but I've used them half a
>> dozen times now and have never had that crop up. AFAIK they're business
>> to business only but I have an account with them so if anyone here needs
>> a laptop repairing at cost price and can drop it round to my place on
>> Stamford Hill give me a shout (I will check it's running linux first
>> mind, otherwise it's my normal markup! ;)
>>     
>
> I'll bear this in mind. Do they also repair Apple laptops? It would be nice
> to know there is an alternative to shelling out 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of a new
> machine for a "logic board" replacement.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Andrew
>
>   

Have never asked about Macs actually but that's a good point, next time
I call them I'll ask - I personally charge an extra 50% to work on Macs
they're such a pain in the arse to prise apart without damaging, I swear
they're deliberately booby trapped!


Roger.

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