Swapping Motherboard - Droid RAZR M Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Unfortunately I dropped my xt907 (with some serious force) and smashed the screen.It appears that the phone itself is still functioning because lights are flashing, its making notification sounds and when connecting to my computer via USB i can access all my files. Since i dont want to buy a new one and be handcuffed with a locked boot loader I'm going to attempt a repair. Does anyone know if putting my motherboard into another phone (maybe with a bad ESN) will bring my phone back to life? My other thought was to salvage the motherboard, battery and camera and just install them in a brand new LCD screen, digatizer and backing. any feedback would be appreciated!

Just pick one up off Ebay or something and swap the screens... Its rather easy to do in my opinion... I usually grab one that's water damaged...
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

ezknives said:
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Btw how is KK soak bld hunting getting on?

I wish it was as simple as replacing the screen but the backside got all messed up too. I managed to get the board out but in doing so there was a tiny metal hinge looking thing that broke off the backside of the board next to there the power plug. I'm sure that completes a circuit somewhere so I guess my little project is over. not good.

aviwdoowks said:
Btw how is KK soak bld hunting getting on?
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The ole lady won't let me on the PC to flash back to stock I on the hunt for a recovery flashable unmodified stock ..
PantherVT said:
I wish it was as simple as replacing the screen but the backside got all messed up too. I managed to get the board out but in doing so there was a tiny metal hinge looking thing that broke off the backside of the board next to there the power plug. I'm sure that completes a circuit somewhere so I guess my little project is over. not good.
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can you post a pic...
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

here are some photos. I have circled the area of the motherboard that was chipped. In motherboard1 the piece that broke off is in the photo as well. In the backing photo I circled the area that may be a contact point to complete a circuit.

Yeah that looks done... It may just be for the wifi but doesn't look like it can be Jimmy rigged ... I was thinking maybe a touch of foil on it but I don't see any tracers to make the connection
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app

Yeah i think some solder and a a little luck would be my only shot. Ill probably just try to buy a used one that someone already unlocked.

That's for the LTE Rx antenna. The motherboard will probably still work, but you will have diminished LTE reception.
That motherboard might still be useful for someone who is using their phone on GSM networks and can't use LTE anyway.
I might be interested in it if you'd be willing to sell it real cheap.

GnatGoSplat said:
That's for the LTE Rx antenna. The motherboard will probably still work, but you will have diminished LTE reception.
That motherboard might still be useful for someone who is using their phone on GSM networks and can't use LTE anyway.
I might be interested in it if you'd be willing to sell it real cheap.
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Thanks for the explanation. If I end up selling I'll let you know. Do you think the antenna can be reattached and become fully functional again?

PantherVT said:
Thanks for the explanation. If I end up selling I'll let you know. Do you think the antenna can be reattached and become fully functional again?
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Hard to say, but in my opinion, the answer is YES. I don't think you'll have any chance of finding the broken trace, I sure can't see it in that photo and I'm guessing it's not visible. However, I bet one of those tiny components near where it used to be was directly connected to it. You would need either a wiring diagram or trace an undamaged motherboard with the ohms setting of a multimeter to see if any of those components were directly connected to the terminal. You could then probably reform that gold terminal with tweezers, and solder a very, very tiny wire between the solder end of the appropriate component and that terminal and use a good strong epoxy to glue the terminal back down to the board in its correct location. You'd need a really good pencil-tip soldering iron, really steady hands, and good soldering skills to do that kind of micro-soldering.
I'm thinking to part out the RAZR M that I bricked over the weekend. If you're interested, I can test my board to see if any of those nearby components have continuity to the terminal.

Not sure if you're still wanting to fix it, but I pulled my bricked RAZR M apart today and saw this is a pretty easy fix.
That terminal connects directly to the lower of the 2 black SMD components. In fact, I didn't notice before, but in your pic there is still some visible trace connected to it. Should be pretty simple to epoxy the terminal back onto the board and solder a short piece of wire onto the remainder of the trace.

I do want to fix it and will be giving it a try! I'll post the results

PantherVT said:
I do want to fix it and will be giving it a try! I'll post the results
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Good Luck.
I made a Mobo Transplant also once.
Got a Broken LCD phone which was damaged before the OTA (that locks our BL)
And took that and swapped it into mines =)
Now i have a good Phone with a Unlocked BL
And sold my old one back out for same price =) Win Win for me.

Related

Replace lcd screen or motherboard?? Maybe? Maybe not??

Ok this one goes out to all you cool smart guys out there. I currently have two mt4g's. One is working perfectly fine with the "bad screen", as they call it, and the other is bricked, or no it has a failed pu is what someone told me, but it has the "good screen".
Anyway while just minding my own business on the internet one day I came across a video which shows you how to replace a lcd screen in a mytouch 4G! I was hooked. I could do this I said, it looked so easy! Sure you need some patience, which I got btw. So I was determined to do this, even ordered the tools from repairsuniverse. So about the fourth time watching the tutorial I began to wonder if it would be possible to just swap motherboards instead of disassembling all the way to the screen. Mostly because I still need a heat gun so i could remove the digitized then lcd screen.
So i guess my question is will swapping motherboards solve the pu problem in the mytouch with the good screen? And while I got you here has anyone ever replaced there lcd screen?? Is it worth it??
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA Premium App
Yes, if you put the good motherboard in the case with good LCD, you'll get one good phone.
Thanks for the response! This will make the job so much easier
repair options
sorry to piggyback you post but i had a similar question....
a friend of mine is giving me their broken mytouch 4g. it was working perfect but then she dropped it on her kitchen tile (bottom right corner hit i'm told) and now it will not turn on at all.....no cracks or anything, just a scratch in the corner. she says she tried a new battery and tried plugging into AC but no lights, nothing.
i've taken apart enough phones so once I get it i'm not afraid to do some swapping of parts.
my question is, those of you who have worked on this model, any indication where you think would be the problem? i'm hoping the lcd/digitizer is fine since its not cracked but we'll see....and i figured maybe i would just need to do a motherboard swap worst case? is there any other components you think could be shot after the drop? from what i've been able to find its just the 1 main mother board , correct? (meaning there is not 2 parts)
thought MAYBE i'll get lucky after opening it up, and verifying all the cables that possible some cables got jarred loose and thats why it wont respond but not holding my breathe on that.
thanks for the help!

HTC HD2 High-definition Motherboard Pictures

Hello guys. I need high definition photos of HTC HD2 Motherboard. I need to check one SMD part on motherboard because I think I accidentally broke one part on it. It seems like there is one missing part but I am not sure. So if anybody can upload really high def photo of motherboard it will be great. I searched google and forum here but its not enough to zoom in on that place.
This is what I had laying around
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA
wouternet said:
This is what I had laying around
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA
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Nice one wouternet but can you also take the picture of the other side of the board? But thank you anyway i will need both sides of that board
Sent from my Dorimanx powered HTC HD2
It would be easier if you said what part your looking for
Don't mind the black stuff, I used a marker to mark this bricked mainboard
Sent from an awesome HD2 running Hyperdroid in a galaxy far far away
i am sending a pic of that place. its a small smd probably but i am not sure . the location of that part or better say place is very near to the edge of board it is the last solder point to the 3 gold connect points i am not sure for what they are used for. probably for extended battery? i just need to know if there is som smd part or not. because it looks suspicios on my board and i think that this is why main speaker is not working on my hd2 since i disassembled hd2 to repair vol buttons. flex cables are ok i already checked them because i remember when i bought phone the sound was not working because main flex was not properly pluged in on main board. i was very careful whem i was dis and assembling phone . i dont understand why aound is no longer working.
Nah there is nothing there. At least nothing that can break off easily. I'm sure the problem is somewhere else.
Is it the earpiece not making sound or is it the speaker on the back?
wouternet said:
Nah there is nothing there. At least nothing that can break off easily. I'm sure the problem is somewhere else.
Is it the earpiece not making sound or is it the speaker on the back?
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yep it is back speaker that is not working. I dunno what cause that problem with no sound
Sent from my Dorimanx powered HTC HD2
Well the problem should be near the GPS board... Or in the rear shell....
check this: (No need to take the speaker out) http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-HTC-HD2-PB81120-Phone-Speaker/5605/2
And this is where it connects: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/IKePYgHa1GxX1vZF.huge
It's left from the camera, between the Camera module and the where the white wire connects to the board. There is should touch the 2 golden squares.
wouternet said:
Well the problem should be near the GPS board... Or in the rear shell....
check this: (No need to take the speaker out) http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing-HTC-HD2-PB81120-Phone-Speaker/5605/2
And this is where it connects: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/IKePYgHa1GxX1vZF.huge
It's left from the camera, between the Camera module and the where the white wire connects to the board. There is should touch the 2 golden squares.
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i will check that place near gps. Or maybe the speaker is broken. I will try another one if that help. I will let you know later when i fix it. Thank you wouternet.
Sent from my Dorimanx powered HTC HD2
Well you was right about the place near GPS where speaker is connected to the phone. The problem was there. For some reason one of the golden square dont work anymore lol. Weird huh. So the solution I have found out was to connect that non-working golden square to the little golden O point between those 2 golden squares.
Here is a picture
Selected red places are the points that are working.
So i connected non working golden square to the O point between those two golden squares with solder and after that woalaa. Speaker is working.
I still dunno why this golden square caused the problem because it looked like it is solidly attached to the board. But anyway speaker is working and I feel peacefully .
I will edit this thread as a guide if somebody needs it. I also fixed camera flash light because everybody who dissasembled HD2 know that cable from camera flash light connected to the mainboard is very fragile and it can be easily torn out of the connector and if you want to put it back into the connector it is really painfull and not always work so I decided to solder it to the board on camera flash light.
Here is a picture how I did it.
I connected those coloured cables using solder to the golden O points on camera flash light board as it is shown on the picture. Woalla again it works. Its free if you have soldering tools and some experience with soldering .
Thanks so much for sharing your solution.
Exactly this hint has given the life back to my phones speaker.
I used very thin copper wire to connect the 2 points.
wouternet said:
This is what I had laying around
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA
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Please, I need a photo of USB motherboard zone area, zoom in,
motherboard htc hd2 t-mobile
I have a HTC HD2 from T-Mobile USA, which broke my motherboard. if anyone has any idea if it matches a motherboard in hd2 hd2 for Europe which my phone is t-mobile. I mean plugs, screws, joints ... etc.. I think that maybe easier to find the motherboard but if I search for a motherboard to hd2 t-mobile phone.
please if you can help me with any information any connoisseur, is welcome or if someone has motherboard for sale in working condition with no problems (not boot the, to lock up, etc ...) to me leave message here
sorry for bad eanglish

[Q] HD2 motherboards

Thanks to HTC and the garbage job they do baking the electrical components in their phones I am looking for a HD2 mobo or someone who can do some PCB repair and at least get my mobo charging again. I have dumped money into a new digitizer and lcd, front keypad and mobo main flex cable and the main problem that caused me to destroy all those parts in the first place (micro usb port) still isnt fixed after my attempt at resoldering it to the board. Anyone? Thanks ahead of time, I've lurked here for a while and never really posted so I cant look in the classifieds I take it.
BullGawd said:
Thanks to HTC and the garbage job they do baking the electrical components in their phones I am looking for a HD2 mobo or someone who can do some PCB repair and at least get my mobo charging again. I have dumped money into a new digitizer and lcd, front keypad and mobo main flex cable and the main problem that caused me to destroy all those parts in the first place (micro usb port) still isnt fixed after my attempt at resoldering it to the board. Anyone? Thanks ahead of time, I've lurked here for a while and never really posted so I cant look in the classifieds I take it.
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Are you by any chance located in the New England area? If so, I may be able to help you out. We would have to meet up somewher. If not, good luck finding some that can solder contact points that small.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
Jaytronics said:
Are you by any chance located in the New England area? If so, I may be able to help you out. We would have to meet up somewher. If not, good luck finding some that can solder contact points that small.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
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Unfortunately no, Im in central Florida
I'll post some pics later when I get home from work, when the port broke it lifted the traces for pins 4 and 5 which I understand are the ground. Pin 1 is apparently the +5 volt pin. Thats all I need, I can do without being able to communicate with the phone via PC. I really have no reason to use ADB with this handset and any ROMS can be loaded via my SD reader/writer in my PC and just reinsert the card to the phone after.

user gone mad: USB got off

Hey guys!
Today i got my hands on curious thing. My friend was drunk "as he stated" and somehow he was able to tore off USB port from his beloved HD2. Crazy right, I didnt even believe it was possible as I am an owner of HD2 myself. So Im thinking about maybe try to solder it back together (if possible).
There are some pictures as attachements so you can take a look. The casing isnt damaged at all, its like that USB just fell of.
QQboss said:
Hey guys!
Today i got my hands on curious thing. My friend was drunk "as he stated" and somehow he was able to tore off USB port from his beloved HD2. Crazy right, I didnt even believe it was possible as I am an owner of HD2 myself. So Im thinking about maybe try to solder it back together (if possible).
There are some pictures as attachements so you can take a look. The casing isnt damaged at all, its like that USB just fell of.
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Connector seems burnt, just curious what you'll find inside... If the mainboard look like this that's bad news.
A new connector is cheap but there are different shapes of the inner part so it is possible that it won't fit, check before you begin to solder.
Looks badly burnt to me.
I suspect mainboard no good for repair but worth checking first.
Quite easy to pick up an EU version HD2 for around 40USD (faulty handset) on eBay if can spend a bit of time looking/bidding and in good shape except digitizer, then simply donor best parts to complete one working rebuild.
Hey thanks for replyin! Well I opened it up and it seems motherboard isnt damaged. Well, as far as I can tell . Phone is working with charged battery without problems, so I think its worth a shot. Take a look and tell me what do you think
QQboss said:
Hey thanks for replyin! Well I opened it up and it seems motherboard isnt damaged. Well, as far as I can tell . Phone is working with charged battery without problems, so I think its worth a shot. Take a look and tell me what do you think
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I had a hd2 in a similar condition and attempted this. I failed and it killed the mboard straight away i would only attempt if you really really need too ;/
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
hey buddy, thanks I will be really carefull. I cant really tell you what good is a phone like this without USB connection (and dont forget charging), so this is "operation: must do". Sorry for your HD2 though.
You can pick up a new usb socket from eBay/amazon etc.
It is quite a tricky bit of small soldering & can be very hard if contact points on board are broken below board.
Worth a try but not easy ... If you do succeed, once tested working ok use PU40 adhesive sealant to pack around sides & back of socket as will insulate & help secure socket hopefully helping reduce chance of fracturing joins or dislocating completely again.
Yup! USB is already on the way. Thanks for tips buddy, I will check back here when its done , it should take few days untill new USB is here.
QQboss said:
Yup! USB is already on the way. Thanks for tips buddy, I will check back here when its done , it should take few days untill new USB is here.
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Any news? Did you succeed with the soldering?
straylight975 said:
Any news? Did you succeed with the soldering?
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I'm also interested Any news?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
I wish you all the luck, 'cause you gonna need it! (but maybe you're a soldering master and you know what you're doing...)

Pixel 4 - Need Replacement Motherboard

Hi all, was replacing my cracked screen and managed to graze some of the resistors on the motherboard and its possible one was unseated.
New screen and old screen both turn on but the touch does not register. I think I need a new motherboard.
Does anyone know where to get motherboard parts? Does anyone have one for sale as i would love to put this thing back together!
A more likely culprit is that the digitizer wasn't plugged back in properly . I would suggest that you take the phone apart again and make sure all of the connections are seated properly.
I've had a phone with motherboard issues and they generally completely stop working (black screen, no boot, etc). That's why I really don't think the touch screen issue is a result of a loose component on the mother board. That being said, if you really feel like it is a loose connection on the mother board, you can try baking the board in an oven to soften the solder joints which allows them to re-adhere when they cool down. Yes, it can actually work. Take the phone apart and stick just the motherboard (don't put the case, screen, battery, etc in the oven) in an oven at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes. I've always rested the motherboard on top of two wooden spoons that were sitting on a cookie sheet. This keeps the motherboard off the hot metal surface and allows the hot air to get to all parts of the mother board. Remove the motherboard and let it cool down before installing the board.
Thanks Sic for the reply. You made me not give up hope. I will try again and bake some mobo.
But which wire is the actual digitizer. Is it the one on the far right?
The rest seem to attach to bumpers or usbc charger. Thanks again for reply.
Attached 2 photos. 1 is my mobo with red circles around what i think was damaged. I think this is the only connection to the screen digitizer in the phone.
The second is from IFIXIT mobo. it looks a bit different, possibly different revision but showing the same angle. Digitizer connection on top.
Could one of those circles connections cause the digitizer to not pick up finger contact but the screen works perfectly?
Looking at the two pictures, I could be easily convinced that there isn't suppose to my any components where you have your red circles. If you look at the IFIXIT picture, there are three components, then a break, then 6 more components and another break. You red circles seem to correspond with the breaks in the IFIXIT image, although it is clear that the motherboard isn't identical in the two images. Just my two cents.
sic0048 said:
Looking at the two pictures, I could be easily convinced that there isn't suppose to my any components where you have your red circles. If you look at the IFIXIT picture, there are three components, then a break, then 6 more components and another break. You red circles seem to correspond with the breaks in the IFIXIT image, although it is clear that the motherboard isn't identical in the two images. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
Well, back to using my Pickle 3 which is still great and my Pixel 4 cupcakes are about ready. Let me check the oven.
Any update? I'm curious to know if baking the motherboard helped at all.
sic0048 said:
Any update? I'm curious to know if baking the motherboard helped at all.
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Update. Phone no longer boots after reinstalling everything.
I pre-heated to 200c ~ 400f and let it sit for 10 minutes and cool before reinstalling all the components. Was a final attempt I know.
ridethasky said:
Update. Phone no longer boots after reinstalling everything.
I pre-heated to 200c ~ 400f and let it sit for 10 minutes and cool before reinstalling all the components. Was a final attempt I know.
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That's too bad. I'm not all that surprised it didn't help, but I am surprised it actually made the problem worse.
Perhaps one of the components was loose and baking it made the connection fail completely. As I noted before, motherboard issues generally result in a no boot situation.
Baking it was a last ditch effort to try to get it to work, but don't feel like you have to quit now. You can try baking it again - perhaps for slightly longer this time. You have nothing to loose and perhaps it will cause a bad connection to re-solidify. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Hello I am sorry that your phone is not working. I was wondering if you do find a new board if you wanted to sell me your old mother board. I want to try a project of replacing the ram chip with a 16gb chip but to do so I need a old board.
Hello, I have the same problem, my pixel 4 XL got wet (I know, it was stupid) it reaches a depth of 2 meters, I opened it to myself if I could save it and it was completely rusty. and several transistors and chips came out. So I decided to look for a motherboard to repair it. anyone know where i can get the replacement? :crying: :crying: :crying:
ridethasky said:
Does anyone have one for sale as i would love to put this thing back together!
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Thread closed and cleaned! Do not sell or trade on XDA!
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