Re: [tlug] Bad BIOS: soldered SMT!: Skill required to replace

[jep200404 <jep200404@example.com>]

Jason Hall wrote:

> Actually, on closer inspection, [the BIOS chip] seems to be soldered right 
> to the board (http://wuts.nu/bios_chip.jpg). 

Nuts, I was afraid of that. 

> What I've seen online indicates people with similar issues and 
> the same board are swapping the chip out.

The hard part is to remove a chip without damaging 
the chip or board. If you don't care about damaging the old 
chip, then you can easily remove it without damaging the board 
by cutting each pin close to the body. With the chip out of the 
way, it's easy to remove each pin individually, clean up the 
pads and solder the new chip.  

Even so, SMT work takes skill. It ain't a job for a novice. 
I'm surprised that people are swapping out an SMT chip.