Think this is enough to destroy a MB?

[Brandon]

yes no? The scratch isn't even NEAR a mount... Wonder how it got there?

[arneson]

Simple answer is to check for continuity across each of those scratched areas.
Find an opening, scrape and bridge with solder, reasemble, boot.
Picture is a little fuzzy to tell, but under magnification you should see it better.

[Brandon]

Hope these pics help, my camera sucks.

I wasn't aware you could fix a board with a "trace" scratch. Can you tell me what I would need, and other information you see fit for the beginner?
Thanks!

[Rainbow]

It doesn't look deep. I'd say it should work but you never know until you check the continuity. Sometimes it looks only a very small scratch but the trace is open.

[Brandon]

Is there any certain tip/iron/solder I should use? Will I need any thing else tools/etc?

Heres a link to a local store.
http://www.radioshack.com/search/ind...ldering%20iron

I figure this will be a learning experiance for me one way or another. I'll work on something else first to get the hang of it. (broken awnsering machine, etc.)


Thanks,
Brandon

[Rainbow]

If the traces are too thin and close to each other, I use conductive paint. Paint it over and then scrape the paint off between the traces using needle or tiny screwdriver, checking continuity between them to make sure they're not shorted together before powering up.

[kc8adu]

looks like rather large traces and tinned traces.
looks to be an easy fix.

[Brandon]

The scratch is around dime size, the traces are rather large and seperated quite well.
Is there any certain tip/iron/solder I should use? Will I need any thing else tools/etc?
If i can use the same tools as one uses for cap replacement just let me know. I've done some searching on google, and I've gotten some different info. some say use 15-20 watt irons, others 30 +. :/ I know watts don't matter as much as heat, but I'm still puzzled as to what tools to use.

Thanks again.

[stretch0069]

Well....I'll just chime in for my 2 cents.

Easy fix. Even if it did open the trace(s), its easy to fix. You've gotten a lot of good suggestions above.

One other thing we used to do back in the day was to get a thin piece of wire. Solder one end to one side of the break and then solder the wire to the other side of the break. Then cut away excess wire on either end.

Anyone ever use the trace repair kits like the old Pace setups??? I still have nightmares of putting in the little through-board thingys. (i can't remember their proper name. )

[linuxguru]

> Solder one end to one side of the break and then solder the wire to the other side of the break. Then cut away excess wire on either end.

I'll second this, and add another recommendation. After finishing and checking for continuity and shorts, apply a thin layer of super-glue over the wires to encapsulate and insulate them. They won't easily dislodge after that.

[Newbie2]

I had a scratch exactly like that on an old Pentium motherboard but after it was repaired it worked fine. The scratch I had with that very old motherboard was made by my flat-head screwdriver while I was trying to replace the CPU heatsink, I was lucky there it was repairable!

[Brandon]

Thanks for all the suggestions, and info peoples!

strech0069 "Solder one end to one side of the break and then solder the wire to the other side of the break."

Can't this cause, umm, a delay? Not sure what wording to use here.
this method won't damage, any other hardware right?

[Decade]

I don't think you have to worry about any delay, in the area of those scratches there is nothing that looks like a delay line, the only thing that catch my eyes is something that looks like a guarding trace but it might be the autorouter that went crazy

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by Decade

I don't think you have to worry about any delay, in the area of those scratches there is nothing that looks like a delay line, the only thing that catch my eyes is something that looks like a guarding trace but it might be the autorouter that went crazy

I don't know what a delay line, guarding trace, or auto router is! (I'll take your word for it)

As for the scratch, It's on the underside of the board, and it's rather close to the CPU socket. It's not directly under but close! EEEkkkk. I forgot to mention this.

As for the delay question, I was just asking because I'd seen a few words on delays, on google.

[Decade]

Sorry Brandon not my meaning to be technical it just went out
If you fix a crack on a board with a piece of wire that is to long it might make a delay and affect the moderboard somehow.
When I fix scratches that are not to deep on thin traces I usually clean the trace with a small knife to get rid of the lacquer and then solder right over the scratch, remeber don't use to much heat.

[cods69]

Originally Posted by Rainbow

If the traces are too thin and close to each other, I use conductive paint. Paint it over and then scrape the paint off between the traces using needle or tiny screwdriver, checking continuity between them to make sure they're not shorted together before powering up.

I like this stuff - you can get it in a pen and just draw up the connection!
It is expensive though. (where I'm from)

[Brandon]

Originally Posted by Decade

Sorry Brandon not my meaning to be technical it just went out

No apologies required, I'm just glad to get the input/help! I've been fixing computers for college students, and the "under privileged" for a while, (FREE) I've just never encountered a problem like this! My current MB also has scratched traces, so thanks for the help.
Brandon
EDIT: like i said I don't know how it got there... (My MB):/

[Rainbow]

Originally Posted by cods69

I like this stuff - you can get it in a pen and just draw up the connection!
It is expensive though. (where I'm from)

Here too - probably because it contains silver. There are also some cheaper ones here but I don't use them as it's almost impossible to really fix something using that.