Dell complaints

[Trixi's Mom]

I am posting because we found a solution to our problem - (AC Adapter not recognized, after replacing power jack). For $145 dollars, GL Services (www.gl-services.com, Milpitas. CA) determined the problem was due to the BGA – ball grid array – which affects video chip, power control, errors associated with finding hardware, errors with USB etc. Apparently degradation of this solder ball array is caused by the well-known overheating problems with this model. For the record, the posts on this board instructing us how to replace the DC power jack worked well. The power jack works. In additon to several other components replaced on this unit (top cover hinges, hard drive, video cable frayed from hinges, MoBo flexure causing CPU socket issues) we are finally going to get through the last four weeks of high school & AP exams, then this unit will revert to back-up craptop status. Thanks, folks, for your help. Will never buy another Dell laptop. Maybe a Stinkpad.

[Rocke_T_Sinetist]

Wow, they have a way to FIX ball-grid arrays? That's quite a trick. The balls are under the part, inaccessible. We didn't even have BGA equipment in our lab.

BGAs breaking from flexure is also the cause of many memory failures. Memories almost never failed when they were pin arrays, but pin arrays won't support the higher density per module that's required today.
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Rocke T Sinetist
as in, 'it doesn't take a...'

[randalsheim]

Thank you, m_mckenna. I am new at soldering and desoldering and so I buggered up the motherboard quite a bit while taking out the old ac jack. A glob of solder between pin 2 and the A side of the diode did the trick. Now if I could get the hard drive working.