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Plan to have modules removed
Plan to have modules removed

New MessagePlan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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I have found a place that will remove the two BGA modules from the motherboard for $40 each. These are the CyberBLADE i7 and VIA VT82C686 modules. With these two modules removed we can then trace out most of the board signals and learn what all the unknown switches/jumpers/pads are connected to. We don't currently know the pinout for the CyberBLADE i7 but we do have the VIA documentation.

What I am wondering is if someone has a dead iopener and is willing to contribute the motherboard to this project. If not, then I will sacrifice one of my working V5s to the cause.

The removal will be done by a local company that does BGA removal/reinstalls for a business. I want to be sure the board is not damaged so we get good tracing data. However, I don't plan on having the modules put back on which costs an additional $40 each but requires a stencil for each module. If they do not have the right stencils for these modules then there is an added $250 change for each stencil that must be made. The stencil is used to apply the solder paste to each of the very tiny pads on the board.

11-06-2000 23:44:54

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Programmer
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I have a IO motherboard from aspguy that I stripped almost all of the compnants EXCEPT those two off of. I could see if the old heat gun can get them off then scan the board and post it.. will see tonight if it'll go..

Signed,
Someone who way WAY too overzealous with a heat gun :)

11-07-2000 11:18:30

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Tackhead
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http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/tackhead_1999?d&.flabel=fld6&.src=ph

Turbo3/Programmer: Way cool! Lookin' forward to seeing the results!

For reference purposes and people "new" to the thread, here's as far as I was able to get on SW3 of a V1.

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/tackhead_1999?d&.flabel=fld6&.src=ph

11-07-2000 12:55:47

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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Programmer: It would also be a good idea to heat the back side under the module. That is how the real BGA removal equipment does it. They also apply hot air from all four sides on top. There is a little suction cup that pulls up on the module while all this heat is being applied to automatically lift the module.
11-07-2000 13:17:08

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Programmer
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ok they're gone, but a white mask remains...any ideas how to get rid of that?
11-07-2000 16:54:32

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Programmer
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I can do a point to point on request.. but that would take forever
11-07-2000 17:00:00

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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See if VIA module pins A6,A7,A8 go to any near by pads on the front or back of the board.
11-07-2000 17:23:35

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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Don't worry about A6 it goes to RP6 pin 8.
11-07-2000 17:53:30

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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You could also see if CN11,CN17,CN25 go to any pins on the VIA or Trident module.
11-07-2000 18:56:47

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Programmer
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Please Specify chip U8 or U12

U8(A6...A8) go to pins U9(66, 70, 74) on the presumed sram (cache) pad

11-07-2000 19:49:36

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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The VIA module was in U12. The Trident was in U8. So I am interested in U12 Pins A6,A7,A8 not the U8 ones you have listed. I have already traced U12-A6 to RP6-8. Where do the other two go (U12-A7 & U12-A8)?
11-07-2000 20:11:21

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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Ok, I have traced out the other two pins. U12-A7 & U12-A8 go to test point pads on the back beneath U12. This means that it seems possible to add a floppy drive to the iopener. I can only trace the A6,A7,A8 pins because they are on the edge and I can just reach them with my test probe with U12 still in place. Programmer will be able to verify that the remaining U12 Pins also go to test pads.

Here is a complete list of the Floppy Disk interface pins on U12. D9,D6,E9,C8,B8,A8,D8,E8,D7,C7,E7,B6,A7,B7,C6,A6

Programmer: If this is too much for you I am more than willing to do the tracing and documentation if you are willing to loan me the board for a few days.

11-07-2000 21:06:00

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Programmer
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I could do that.. email me at junkmail@bethie.net with your address and I'll send it out..
11-08-2000 07:51:36

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Tackhead
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Programmer: If you have a scanner or digital camera, please upload a reasonably high-res scan of the area around the BGA.

Most of my "tracing" of the DIP switches was done on the computer - using a paint program, a "fill all pixels within xx% of the color under the cursor", enhancing brightness/contrast a bit, and of course, the zoom feature.

(I tried to do it by eyeball and failed miserably until I uploaded my pics and zoomed in on the image. Doing it on the computer took maybe 1-2 minutes per trace.)

11-08-2000 10:22:14

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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I have a 2.3 Meg pixel camera so I can handle that too.
11-08-2000 11:17:28

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Turbo3
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Ok, just got the stripped board from Programmer last night. (Thanks Programmer)

The missing VESA DDC signals on the VGA connector are SDA on CN1 pin 2 goes to VGA pin 12 and SCL on CN1 pin 4 goes to VGA pin 15. Now windows can detect my plug & play monitor throught the VGA connector.

Here is the complete list for a CN1 to VGA connector cable. Be sure to wire up all the grounds and wrap the cable around a ferrite toroidal core to get clean video.


CN1......VGA......Signal
1.........1.......RED
3.........2.......GREEN
5.........3.......BLUE
x.........4.......reserved
8,10......5.......GROUND
8,10......6.......RED GROUND
8,10......7.......GREEN GROUND
8,10......8.......BLUE GROUND
6.........9.......+5 VDC
8,10.....10.......SIGNAL GROUND
x........11.......montior ID Bit 0
2........12.......DDC Serial Data Line
7........13.......Horizontal Sync
9........14.......Vertical Sync
4........15.......DDC Data Clock Line

SW1 is not too interesting. Just general purpose inputs and test signals.

SW1-1 to U12-W10
SW1-2 to U12-T10
SW1-3 to U12-F4
SW1-4 to U12-Y10

Connecting a Floppy drive should be no problem and is my next project.

12-02-2000 10:02:24

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Wild_Pencil
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With this much of the hardware now understood, any new ideas on how the sandisk gets programmed? I don't see any way to program it via the IDE connector without some sort of "Test Mode" that disables the on-board IDE controller, since the +5 supplies "everything" including the Sandisk and IDE controller . . .

Just curious.
-WP

12-03-2000 15:58:59

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) YouBecha
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Did someone say floppy?

Where?

12-04-2000 06:22:21

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Wildfrog
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I am looking to add a TFT to the Iopener and looking at the Cyberblade docs I see that MA5 - MA3 is used to set the type of LCD connected to the Cyberblade chip during powerup. The pins on the chip are AB23 - AB25. AB25 and AB24 should be pulled high via a 4.7k resistor. AB23 should connect to a unused pad. By pulling the resistor at AB25 it would change from 800x600 DSTN to 800x600 TFT. Also if anyone has pictures of the bare board, I could try and trace them myself.
Thanks
01-07-2002 13:22:42

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) zyxw
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Hi,
The TFT from Compgeeks?
01-07-2002 23:02:28

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) Wildfrog
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Hi,
I picked up 5 old stripped down laptops at the swap meet. Got 4 of the Samsung LT121SL-105 800x600 TFT displays out of them along with inverters and connectors for the modules. They were Dell laptops. 365 I think, I threw everything but the displays out.
01-07-2002 23:31:02

New MessageLoading the Sandisk (modified 0 times) Rezz
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Wild_Pencil

wrote;
----------------------------------------
With this much of the hardware now understood, any new ideas on how the sandisk gets programmed? I don't see any way to program it via
the IDE connector without some sort of "Test Mode" that disables the on-board IDE controller, since the +5 supplies "everything" including the
Sandisk and IDE controller . . .
----------------------------------------

First of all I don't yet have an i-opener (to be corrected shortly). However, when designing boards where I work we try to make loading and flashing as easy for our shop as possible. If the final product has a potential for needing to reflash a BIOS (or programming a sandisk) we leave pins by an access panel that would allow us to activate a com port and supply power to the appropriate BIOS pins (or sandisk pins) That way we can flash a BIOS (or load a sandisk) without ever opening the box or plugging the unit in.

Now as I said earlier, I don't yet have an i-opener, but based on the threads I've been reading on this site and looking at some of the photos people have posted, I would suggest looking at the com2 pins that are accessable through the memory access door.

01-08-2002 23:27:09

New MessageRE:Plan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) mp3boombox
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welp just tryed something and ti works great. FOR making it easyer to trace the lines. use the fine wire brush on a dremal. different types work in different ways but its good for removing the white printed ares which cover every thing or uncovering an area which is hard to trace. YOUR CHANCES of ripping up the traces are very small but dont force it.

been doing a little tracing with my extra DEAD board which i gt off someone for the working screen that i needed (v1 board). problem with this though is that you rub off the number and marking info as well if your not carful. MAJOR WORNING THOUGH DO NOT USE ANY THICK WIRE BRUSHES. YOU MAY WIPE OUT THE TRACES THEM SELFS.

It shur beats using a raser blade!

01-25-2002 12:13:00

New MessagePlan to have modules removed (modified 0 times) KneuB_2
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mp3boombox

By some chance would that "extra DEAD board" be available to do a little more trace work? In particular, to try and identify where to access the signals for the last two bits of blue for the TFT work that is in progress.

02-26-2002 00:54:07

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