Hi Everybody,
so i was looking at the teardown for our little baby, when i came across this:
Toshiba THGBM5G6A2JBAIR 8GB Flash
So i went online and do a little search. It turns out that Toshiba builds other sizes of this particular chip.
Looking at the specsheet, it seems that every single spec is the same (can't post the link yet)
So i was wondering if we can replace this damn chip (since i'm stuck with an 8gb version of the Nex 4 (Yeah..since they don't sell in Italy...i had to find a compromise) I know it would take a lot of soldering works, but the real problem is: How to install the OS and stuff?
So i'm planning to ger one of this chips, or a broken phone with one of this (from 16 to idk) and try to do some research, in order to get if i can do this substitution.
So..anyone tryed this before that can help me out with some advices?
Thanks everyone and for the mods...if this is not the right place to post this, i'm sorry...:angel::angel::angel:
p.s.
Sorry for my bad English
Don't attempt to replace the chip with a soldering iron. You need someone with a dedicated SMT rework station that can handle BGA devices. (this chip is a VFBGA according to the datasheet).
Even then, it may not boot at the end of it... Be prepared to have a bricked phone... On the other hand, if it works, you may be able to make a buisness out of selling 32GB Nexus 7's until Google/LG makes them....
Basically, it's not something an end user could do.
Ok, so since is a BGA device, reballing and reflowing should do the trick.
I know that is something that an end user shouldn't do...but give it a try should be nice...of course i would not go straight for the replacement on the n4, i will start with something else before.
Installing it is one thing, it's getting the important stuff on there that is the problem.
It's not a case of just fastboot flash, since there are more partitions than that.
Plus you need fastboot to be there in the first place, JTAG would probably cover that, but the rest? God knows.
Yeah..that's my problem afterall...i mean..put the chip on that is kinda fine..i mean i do this on notebooks so i'm used to reballing and stuff.
But the OS thing is going to drive me mad...meh..need to figure out how to do that!
Just don't do it. You're gonna regret it. Laptops is one thing but a cellular device is another. Chips are way smaller and complicated. It's not as easy as you may think.
But it's your phone, you can do whatever you like to it.
This is retarded. You realize those connectors are so small it requires machines worth millions of dollars to attach and connect. Might as well use some Elmer's glue or a hot glue gun if you're gonna do it yourself, or hey maybe even some ear wax, you'll get the same result.
Ok, nevermind.
I'll do some tests with my machine and some old crappy phone...u never know what is going to happen..lol
Tnx anyway guys!!
Everyone else here is an unambitious ass
DragGuardiano said:
Ok, nevermind.
I'll do some tests with my machine and some old crappy phone...u never know what is going to happen..lol
Tnx anyway guys!!
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Dude you shouldn't let people detour you, soldering chips is not that hard and the size of the chip doesn't really make a difference for BGA most of these guys probably have never soldered a BGA chip in their life so how would they know how hard it is. I would suggest that you practice on some old pcs or an old game system that you dont care about. the hard part about this would be getting your hands on the new chip (and weather or not it is pre-balled because re-balling is a *****), from what I can tell toshiba only will sell the chip in a minimum quantity of 5 chips per order so if all goes well you may be able to charge people to upgrade their nexus 4s.
People are to scared now-a-days to get their hands dirty and take risks to get what they want and I commend anyone willing to put in the time, learn a new skill, and get what they want even though no one will just give it to them.
I hope you decide to do this anyway.
PS. The bootloader/recovery should be a separate memory module all together and should still exist when the chip is replaced, so if I had to guess i would say that you could just flash a new rom assuming your bootloder is unlocked and the chip comes pre-formatted.
Everything is held on the eMMC chip, nothing is separate.
Related
Does anybody know what type and perhaps where I can buy the memory module so I can change it myself.
I do not think you would want to change it yourself, it will require some really advanced soldering skills due to the way memory chips are surface mounted.
(A nice article can be found here: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=549700&highlight=+bengalboy++128)
My sugesstion is to ship it to www.ppctechs.com. They're reliable, fast, and a worth everyone of those $199.
thanks for some nice info
Im a electronics skilled worker and have access to an advanced solder bench so I think I will manage it.
But I still wonder what type of memory module it uses and where I can order them.
Not a clue. Since I guess PPCTECHS will not tell you I guess, the only thing you can do is open the device and examine it
Mini is using 2pcs of Infineon 16Mx16 SDRAM, BGA package. What you need is 2 pcs of 32Mx16 devices to mount on the mini. Speed of the chip is a PC133, CL3....guess in this case, the CAS is not really important.
thank you for the info.
Ill try to find a place to get them.
Please post any info you get. I'm also interested in doing it myself.
Any news ?
I wonder if some of the modules I found on this page can be used
http://www.infineon.com/cgi/ecrm.dll/ecrm/scripts/prod_ov.jsp?oid=58787
Desoldering BGA from SODIMMs requires you to reball the BGA...you need the rite tools to reball them first b4 remounting them, its best this way...if not...it will not be good..
Here goes, my first ever post on any forum. So please bare with me on the following. I'm laid in bed next to my lovely wife and it hits me, why do we mess with all this tech! More rhetorical, than a question. More to the point my wife asks "if it's not broken why fix it?"
It leads me to add to the already hyped wm5. I believe there is a reason behind the so called 'lack of upgrade' for the mda compact. And I may make a believer out of you all.
If you know anything about computers, you will understand about CPU's. My desktop computer is meant to be an amd duron 1600mhz, but I can clock it at 2100mhz. They call this overclocking (sorry, I'm teaching you how to suck eggs). In reality it's what we call a broken spec CPU. The chip probably started off as an amd athon 2000xp. But failed the tests, so not to waste the capital gain. They remove some cache and a couple of IC controllers and hey presto - they made 50 quid at something they should have thrown away. Or should they? This theory is a long standing myth that dates back to the late 90's with broken server chips being rebaged by Intel as mmx 200mhz. It was even stated in a PC mag that celerons were broken versions of p3's. AGAIN certain features were removed to make it cheap. But this is just a myth! Getting back to the mda issue. I think that htc designed many models that are robust... But they decided to try out a spec with the latest (at the time) software. It has to be cost effective and at least meet a minimum quality. And don't forget deadlines. So times ticking away and you get a cut down version of what should have been created. This would explain the lack of support for wm5 as it would be too flaky to use. If at all.
I've for the past 12 months, tried to use bluetooth, make the camera work, have a decent conversation without having to reset or reinstall the crummy software.
This is my forth mda compact. I have no faith in ms, htc or t-mobile, that brings me back to what my wife said.
My answer is they never worked when we got them. But its fun trying to fix or understand them!
HTC went in at the bottom for this and the early adopters of this tech pay the price - but that's business.
I'm ready to through this away cos this is refusing like the little b'tard child it is, to do as it's told.
Question for you all, no need to reply. Have you reset your mda compact more times than the total amount you have ever reset all the home computers you have had or used in your lifetime?
If so welcome to my world.
P.s this is a fantastic site.
I appreciate your logic,BUT
Mine works fine! i have the TMobile MDA here in the US, it really does a good job. I overclocked it to 252, reg tweaks, bluetooth with my Jabra BT250, wifi on G, and I love it. Best phone ever (did 1.13 radio rom upgrade)
Sorry you are having such troubles that are having you type while you laying next to a beautiful bird!!! Throw that thing out and get busy!!!
Good Luck. :twisted:
cheers mate. i'll try n wake her up.
nah to honest i love the phone. I've been in and out of the computer industry for the past 12 years. i'm getting behind. but i still manage to spot issues or problems.
They replaced it 4 times cos i found the problems.I insisted it was software but t-mobile was just starting out with this breed of smartphones.
my main point is no matter what the product, it never lives up to the dream, but it's good to learn how to fix or purge ideas to make something better than what it was original.
I'm just frustrated...
by the way i find it funny that when you show the phone off and tell the crowd it's got windows they ask does it crash
Dear all,
at this moment I am trying to repair the micro-USB connector on my HTC HD2. At the moment it only charges when inserted in a certain angle, this is not very convenient and as I am willing to experiment, I want to replace the micro-USB by myself.
Therefore I've brought some soldering tools and such, I haven't opened my HTC HD2 yet, as I am doing preparations first. However I am stuck at what micro-USB female plug I should buy to replace the one on the HTC HD2 (european edition; 512 MB).
Can someone give me advice? I would like to replace the micro-USB port with one that is exactly the original model. I've found the following products on Farnell, please type micro USB female which one should I buy? Or does someone have any other recommandations?
I will try to keep you guys posted on my replacement procedures.
PS: I am unable to post links as I don't have a lot of posts, however I spend a lot of time reading posts here.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HTC-HD2-T...K_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item41582a72ca
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-...K_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item4cf7d6215d
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-...K_Replacement_Parts_Tools&hash=item4cf7d6215d
Just a few options for you there
Hey, thanks for your response, however I'm not really comfortable with the price, it's even more expensive than my cable, as it is in pounds. However can anyone identify what kind of micro usb this is? (Type)
temp_tsun,
You didn't state where you're from, or in what country you'd prefer the vendor be located. But to answer your question:
It's considered a "standard" Micro-USB, or more precisely a 5-pin micro-USB "Type B" port. Google around for those keywords in conjunction with phrases like "HD2/Leo charging port", "...charging connector", etc, and you'll find some vendor candidates. Looking around for a minute or two and comparing prices I found this one: cellularpartsusa.com/htc-hd2-charging-connector.html. Cheap, but I don't know anything about the merchant or what their shipping rates are. Also, I remember reading somewhere that other OEM versions of this part may be compatible with the HD2, possibly the Blackberry Bold. So, expanding the search I found
sw-box.com/Usb-Charging-Connector-Port-For-Blackberry-Bold-9700-Curve-8520.html and
cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400203459666&hlp=false, but you better ascertain first that it's the same part since I can't be 100% sure.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your surgery...
I'm sorry, I'm from the Netherlands. I own an EU version of the HTC HD2. I'm currently delaying my surgery because the order of several soldering tools are delayed. I will try to make pictures and post them online to help others a) preventing the mistakes I made (and my phone will probably die ) b) showing others how I did it and hopefully more surgeries will succeed.
PS: I'm going to order this one, hopefully on monday I will have it =).
temp_tsun said:
I'm sorry, I'm from the Netherlands. I own an EU version of the HTC HD2. I'm currently delaying my surgery because the order of several soldering tools are delayed. I will try to make pictures and post them online to help others a) preventing the mistakes I made (and my phone will probably die ) b) showing others how I did it and hopefully more surgeries will succeed.
PS: I'm going to order this one, hopefully on monday I will have it =).
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Did you manage to repair this yourself ?
I also have a broken USB port, which I since found to now be detached from the circuit board when I disassembled the HD2. I don't think I am good enough to solder a replacement (as it is so small!), so am keen to hear how you went ?
i'd like to know too, as i foolishly returned the phone to HTC and had them break it completely for me. They offered a new motherboard for £215 or aboy $450 dollars outside of warranty. now i need a charging mat and am back on win mo 6.5.
I tried to get some help in the Q&A section, but it appears this is more technical/hardware seeking question than just generic "which phone" thread.
I have been suggested Samsung Galaxy Spica/i5700 by boofman (thank you), but the device is cost prohibitive.
I would very much appreciate anyone's suggestion.
I am planning a presentation to demonstrate the benefits of JTAG for data recovery on embedded systems. The audience has approx. 12th grade education, but higher than average computer understanding.
I have most of the equipment already, including a uLINK2, Bus Blaster, and Raspberry Pi for the UART-to-USB, and OpenOCD for the software.
What I am missing is the simplest cell phone (or other inexpensive embedded device) to make the demonstration.
I would like to connect to the device and list the devices on the JTAG chain, and recover the data from them.
What cell phone brand and model would work well for this presentation?
I would need to know the JTAG points, have access to the data sheets of the onboard chips, and since it is out of my own pocket, I hope to get the phones on eBay for a low price.
Any suggestions are welcome.
huperetes said:
I tried to get some help in the Q&A section, but it appears this is more technical/hardware seeking question than just generic "which phone" thread.
I have been suggested Samsung Galaxy Spica/i5700 by boofman (thank you), but the device is cost prohibitive.
I would very much appreciate anyone's suggestion.
I am planning a presentation to demonstrate the benefits of JTAG for data recovery on embedded systems. The audience has approx. 12th grade education, but higher than average computer understanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd be surprised what kids know these days.
huperetes said:
I have most of the equipment already, including a uLINK2, Bus Blaster, and Raspberry Pi for the UART-to-USB, and OpenOCD for the software.
What I am missing is the simplest cell phone (or other inexpensive embedded device) to make the demonstration.
I would like to connect to the device and list the devices on the JTAG chain, and recover the data from them.
What cell phone brand and model would work well for this presentation?
I would need to know the JTAG points, have access to the data sheets of the onboard chips, and since it is out of my own pocket, I hope to get the phones on eBay for a low price.
Any suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out gsm-forum, under the hardware repair section.
Googling for jtag pins and your phone model number usually works for me. I'd assume you might have to wait a little bit for brand new devices, unless you feel like scoping the pins to find out which is which or hope their labeled.
These individuals are not kids. :fingers-crossed:
Excellent resource at the other site. Thanks!
But, I think I do not think I made myself clear regarding what I am looking for:crying:. I am not looking for info on how to JTAG a specific phone.
I am looking for 3 or 4 of the same model of cell phone that
I can pick up on eBay or similar for reasonable price (<$30/phone),
the JTAG TAP is known on the motherboard, and
it would be a bonus if the JTAG command set was known (besides the basic requirement).
This would allow me to make test run on one of the phones, then demonstrate the use of JTAG on the others.
The Samsung Galaxy Spica is a good phone, but I do not have the budget at $100+/phone. I need to find something cheaper. It does not need to be fancy telephone, or even smart phone - just have sufficient JTAG documentation.
If anyone has any ideas on what to use for this demo, I am still in need of a good idea.
You can look into any of the older HTC phones for this. I think that would be your best bet. I've done plenty of hardware repair, disassembling, reassambling, flashing, etc... on Android, & non-Android phones, & from my experience, the older HTC phones are the best. Specifically, concentrate on the GSM ones, such as for T-Mobile. Look into HTC myTouch 3G Slide (awesome little thing) , HTC G2 (one of the best keyboard phones ever), myTouch 4g, myTouch 4G Slide (overheating, self-destructing piece of crap), even the HD2 & the HD7. These are all devices that you can get for around $30 or so with a cracked, but still working digitizer, or some other kind of problem. Screens & other parts for them are very cheap as well.
Also, these are all known to RIFF Box. Look it up. You can do JTAG repair with these, & RIFF Box have all the JTAG ports labeled & documented. They might have some of the documentation right on their site, but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, check it out & see. I think this will be exactly what you're looking for.
Excellent! Thank you very much.
I have looked at looked at many commercial products, including RIFF Box. I narrowed the selections down the RIFF and ORT, but they are both very expensive for demonstration purposes.
I do love the fact that one can buy "jigs", "clips" or "adapters" (names change depending on vendors) which removes the soldering requirements for some of the phones. Except, these are still very expensive. :cyclops:
Again, thanks. I will look into these.
3ndymion218 said:
You can look into any of the older HTC phones for this. I think that would be your best bet. I've done plenty of hardware repair, disassembling, reassambling, flashing, etc... on Android, & non-Android phones, & from my experience, the older HTC phones are the best. Specifically, concentrate on the GSM ones, such as for T-Mobile. Look into HTC myTouch 3G Slide (awesome little thing) , HTC G2 (one of the best keyboard phones ever), myTouch 4g, myTouch 4G Slide (overheating, self-destructing piece of crap), even the HD2 & the HD7. These are all devices that you can get for around $30 or so with a cracked, but still working digitizer, or some other kind of problem. Screens & other parts for them are very cheap as well.
Also, these are all known to RIFF Box. Look it up. You can do JTAG repair with these, & RIFF Box have all the JTAG ports labeled & documented. They might have some of the documentation right on their site, but I'm not totally sure. Anyway, check it out & see. I think this will be exactly what you're looking for.
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I'd go with Galaxy S 1 as it's really cool to work on and relatively well documented and demonstration on such stuff always looks well. But if you want something low-budget. I've seen JTAG pads on Nokia E50'ish stuff. Or try with some Samsung S3000's, these are pretty cheap. But I don't know how's JTAG there.
as @3ndymion218 told you , search old HTc .. also some Samsung that I think cheap could help too .
Samsung F480 , F490 , U700 , U900 etc ... some news Corby model also .. I think cheap .
I could help if you were near to me . I have 3 phones that I could offer you ...
Thank you for the further info.
Definitely will try to track down the HTC and Nokia information.
Samsung is a bit pricy as you said, but maybe down the road.
Again, thank you all!
Hello,
been digging in the "fun" world of buying a JTAG. Jeeez.... Loads and NOT cheap....
What do you guys and gals use?
I looked at so many different ones and I don't know really what to buy here to get some more insight in the hardware.
Saw there are USB-Jtags but does that work with the phones?
Google came with Segger? They had an "edu" price that was in the range of accessible.
Saw this one as well: "Riffbox - Best in the Galaxy!". Sounds...uhm... yeah right.
Or is it really good and they just have the worlds worst marketing director?
The Segger seemed more general purpose?
Saw there are some variants that doesn't need welding but I guess you must. Schematics?
Of course it would be great if it worked for a Raspberry as well so I could automate my house like the master of the world!
And I need one again. I think I found my golden road in life, but I don't want to throw away 1k Euro on something worthless but listen to you who
have experience.
Because I really want is to have a way to plug something into the phone and read out the secrets it possesses
I mean, E-Fuse data, doesn't that just sound like you HAVE to get?
Please. Can you give me some advice here? :fingers-crossed:
/Absie