You are completely right about that solder i bought the exact same and up until watching this video i've been questioning my soldering station, i now have to go and apologise to it after a barrage of swear words i directed at it, thanks for enlightening me
I would much rather see a real live repair attempt than some slick video showing how easy it all is. Hope you get it fixed Steve, if not, well as you said you repaired the fault that it came in with. Good Vid!
Thanks Tony! Yeah, this one was not at all easy. I hope that came across. I had a hard time with those ripped off components, but I feel like I've definitely learnt from it! 👍
@Mrsuperking TH-cam631 I'm not sure how much the cases would be, haven't looked in to it. Yeah, they are not very powerful devices, not good for gaming. Your newer one sounds better though 👍
This video helped me learn a lot Steve thank you. Because of you and your videos I am really getting into trying to fix things. My daughter goes through a lot of tablets and because she is autistic they are a must. Now with your videos I am hoping I will be able to save a few tablets and save money in the bank. ❤❤ thanks again and please don't ever stop making videos.
When it comes to charging ports and children's tables, I have found that the magnetic charger connectors are best. I just install the little insert and then just a drop of hot snot to hold it in place. Then they can't destroy the port.
The ribbon cable you thought you couldn't take off at the top is probably the touch screen cable. Make sure that didn't get melted or damaged. I bet that's the problem.
I thought that too Travis. It is indeed the cable for the digitizer, but I did check it over and it looks absolutely fine. No melting, no rips or tears, and continuity is good from connector pins to ribbon cable. It is possible that it's damaged below the casing (where I can't get to) but I'm worried about removing the screen to take a look! 😁
@@StezStixFix Ya, there's nothing you could do to fix it at that level short of replacing it. I don't think replacement screens\digitizers are expensive if you're hoping to save face. Otherwise maybe ask if the touch screen was damaged to begin with. It was, after all, a child's Kindle. Good luck Steve!
That's right, this is the digitizer ribbon. Might have got damaged when prying off, for example got stabbed if you used twizzers and it would be hard to spot the damage. Replacement digitizer are not very expensive. Use your hot air to heat up edges and remove the old digitizer. You'll need some adhesive to stick the new one in as most available on eBay don't have any preapplied. Also you'll see foam strips on the old digitizer around the clear central area. I think they block backlight from being seen on the edges. You can transfer these onto the new digitizer, just be careful as they can rip easily. Good luck.
A few constructive tips. A big part of soldering is choosing the right tip for the job . Your tip is too small and fine for almost any anchor point, the solder is probably not at fault here. You can hot air a port this size off without wicking it first. I don't think you gain much benefit with your method compared to the risks. You can use your low melt to aid in it if your worried about how much heat you will be using, but, can also regulate heat by moving your nozzle more rapidly (I will be doing some basics content on this technique). Don't press down on BGAs, they are not like QFN., they react poorly to it. Hope some of that helps with the next try. Great production and editing as always.
Thanks Micro, yes that does help, thank you! I knew i had the wrong tip, I just couldn't be bothered changing it - Definitely something that I need to work at! I only started wicking because I couldn't remove the ribbon cable, I have no idea why I carried on afterwards though 🙃. But yeah, really appreciate the feedback and I'll keep working at it. Cheers mate 👍
Really really enjoyed that Steve!!!! even though I could feel the pain you went through. Maybe buy a digitizer but don't fully install it. Just connect it up to the board and leave it flapping in the wind. You can then work out where F is by trial and error to see if it is working on the new digitizer before having the hassle of fitting it. It might turn out to be flux in the actual connector rather than a faulty digitizer. I feel a revisit coming on. I think you will get this working mate 👍
Thanks Vince, really appreciate that! I can't believe i haven't thought of connecting the digitizer without removing the old one! That would make life much easier, and I think I'll give that a go! Thanks mate 😊
Draft question but does the keys not work in either rotation, if it didn't as you touch 2 different areas of the screen it must be a touch screen issue.
Thanks Jason, yeah that is a good shout. I need to have a go with the mini hot plate and get used to it first I think. Might give melting off that epoxy blob a go.
steve it looks like it has a dead spot in the digitiser which i do not think was your fault you can buy new digitisers but they are a pain to do i would have took the charge port off with hot air then cleaned the pads and holes up after you would have saved your self a headache well done though you fixed it
Thanks Jon. Yeah, I've since read up on it, and the dead spots do seem common. I started with the soldering iron on the USB port because of the proximity to the ribbon cables, but yeah hot air was definitely the easier way to go. I wanted to try it though, as I've never done it before, so once again, I've learnt something! 👍
I know this is an old thread but it occurred to me that if the fault is the touchscreen does it have auto rotate? If so, could you rotate the unit and see if the F works on a different part of the screen?
What I ended up doing with my crap solder, is to use it as fodder solder. I use it to coat my iron tip before putting it away, so the crap solder is what oxidizes instead of the tip - saving my good Kester solder. And of course, before using it again, it's wiped off on the brass shavings. That's all it's good for... Fodder Solder™ 👍
Good to see you attempt to fix this Fire HD Tablet there Steve and quite interesting to watch but will you replace the touchscreen at some time to do a revisit ? - Nice 1 👍
Did you fix this thing in the end? It's been a while since this video went up and if my kids are anything to go by I doubt they've been waiting this long patiently. 😅
I need some help with my PS4 because when I turn it on it load onto a black screen as usual and then I stay onto the black screen and doesn’t change. I’ve done everything from the safe mode and I don’t know what to do.
What colour is the light on the front of the PS4? If it's white, then it's probnably a HDMI issue, if it's blue it could be a multitude of things, but possibly the hard drive 👍
yo steve, i wouldn't touch anything other than silver bearing solder, especially for these micro repairs... the only thing you're doing by using the crappiest solder you can get, basically copper piping solder at this point xD is making better content for us haha but seriously get some silver bearing at least for one go
Wow that's a big battery, That's what the Hen said the Cock 😂 I spy a Gravediggaz T-Shirt 6 feet deep if I recall. Stevie Blood or Stezo ✌ Anyway you can disassemble it further a bunch of screws & some patients. You got to hot air the old one off OR the blue mat of death (Not recommended) Love you SteveN platonic of course. You got me to add the N 😒 I did my daughters, she was so upset. A little patients & perseverance pays off in the end 🖖👍
Excellent Gravediggaz knowledge there Steve 🙌. I'm very tempted to replace the digitizer, but the owner isn't too bothered and only really wanted to get the data off of it, so I might not get chance. 😊
Yep I used to wear them too! I had a sweatshirt that I liked a lot, until one day I went with my younger brother on our motocross bikes and I was jumping a 4ft hump to teach him, how to keep the front wheel down & level. My top was tied around my waist and got ripped apart by the sprocket :/ I wasn't happy at the time. Anyway can't they let you fix it after they got the data? My daughters data is on the 'Amazon Cloud Drive' so surely they can do that, then let you do your magic on it 😎
Considerably more swearing in this one Steve, and for good reason, looked like a bugger. Still, gives me hope that these things can be fixed instead of ending up on landfill
There's plenty more swearing on the cutting room floor. This thing was a bugger, and no mistake. Still, hopefully it'll live on a bit longer before going to silicone heaven.
Based on this device containing the kid’s “Minecraft life,” did you at least recover the data, even if the tablet hardware itself may be too difficult to salvage?
"Fire for Kids" - should they be allowing kids to play with fire?!? 😜 Seriously though, so frustrating with the touch screen/digitiser, especially with the successful charger port repair. Holy smeghead; I was annoyed for you with the board holder striping off those components. 😵 Are there any audio/video files/access to TH-cam apps to try out the stereo audio? Headphones would probably make it more obvious to test. Worst case scenario, at least mono should work. I've got faith that you can fix these issues. Keep up the good work Stez!
Thanks Toxo 😁 . Yeah, I supsect it's outputting mono, but for such a little device, I doubt anyone would even notice. That board holder is most definitely in the bin! It was an accident waiting to happen... the tension in the springs is hefty!
@@StezStixFix In fairness, the board holder looked like really good idea (I was tempted until this video) and is probably fine for single sided PCBs. It could do with something to elevate the board a bit more to stop the components rubbing whilst without losing the strength of the grip.
@@ToxoRetro I've got another board holder, buy it doesn't raise the pcb. I've also ordered a magnetic one to try, but I'm not sure I'll have any more joy with that. It seems to be hard to find a decent one!
I have the same tablet that gave up charging after the micro USB socket pin on the actual tablet became loose over time ( common fault) That's why kindle are now using the type c ports
Thanks N! Yeah, it does seem like a common problem wit hthese tablets. And I guess with the Kids' version, they're going to be putting in the Micro USB upside, which wont help. The USB-C port sounds like a good solution!
@@StezStixFix I got the 2019 kindle fire 10 HD now. Its quite a lot better, full HD screen and type c port. No issues yet 👍 I think all devices now are going type c. Ps5 have on their control pads whereas ps4 haven't
Proof that no good deed goes unpunished ... I really hope you launched that board holder out the window at high velocity back to China! If you can enable bluetooth and pair a device with it you might be able to gain some control. I think some more research may be required. Alternatively if you can find one on ebay with a broken screen and do a transplant?
You are doing a wonderful job, in the future however, get you some Kaptan tape will save you a lot of swearing I promise. Lmao I know this cause I used to never use Kaptan tape and broke a lot of gadgets.
Ask your friend to get his child a charging board for his tablet then he won't be disconnecting the cable all the time to charge it and this will then not bugger up the port.................🦁
You are completely right about that solder i bought the exact same and up until watching this video i've been questioning my soldering station, i now have to go and apologise to it after a barrage of swear words i directed at it, thanks for enlightening me
I admire your honesty. Sharing nightmare repairs as well as successful ones is admirable.
Steves come a long way since this video.
I like these "partial success" videos. Reminds us we can't win every battle.
Thanks Nathan. Totally agree, it would be boring if every fix was a success. Noone is that perfect! 👍
I would much rather see a real live repair attempt than some slick video showing how easy it all is. Hope you get it fixed Steve, if not, well as you said you repaired the fault that it came in with. Good Vid!
Thanks Tony! Yeah, this one was not at all easy. I hope that came across. I had a hard time with those ripped off components, but I feel like I've definitely learnt from it! 👍
@Mrsuperking TH-cam631 I'm not sure how much the cases would be, haven't looked in to it. Yeah, they are not very powerful devices, not good for gaming. Your newer one sounds better though 👍
This video helped me learn a lot Steve thank you. Because of you and your videos I am really getting into trying to fix things. My daughter goes through a lot of tablets and because she is autistic they are a must. Now with your videos I am hoping I will be able to save a few tablets and save money in the bank. ❤❤ thanks again and please don't ever stop making videos.
When it comes to charging ports and children's tables, I have found that the magnetic charger connectors are best. I just install the little insert and then just a drop of hot snot to hold it in place. Then they can't destroy the port.
Love your channel Steve! You’ve inspired me to fix faulty electronics and continue to learn about this awesome hobby/side hustle.
The ribbon cable you thought you couldn't take off at the top is probably the touch screen cable. Make sure that didn't get melted or damaged. I bet that's the problem.
I thought that too Travis. It is indeed the cable for the digitizer, but I did check it over and it looks absolutely fine. No melting, no rips or tears, and continuity is good from connector pins to ribbon cable. It is possible that it's damaged below the casing (where I can't get to) but I'm worried about removing the screen to take a look! 😁
@@StezStixFix Ya, there's nothing you could do to fix it at that level short of replacing it. I don't think replacement screens\digitizers are expensive if you're hoping to save face. Otherwise maybe ask if the touch screen was damaged to begin with. It was, after all, a child's Kindle. Good luck Steve!
That's right, this is the digitizer ribbon. Might have got damaged when prying off, for example got stabbed if you used twizzers and it would be hard to spot the damage. Replacement digitizer are not very expensive. Use your hot air to heat up edges and remove the old digitizer. You'll need some adhesive to stick the new one in as most available on eBay don't have any preapplied. Also you'll see foam strips on the old digitizer around the clear central area. I think they block backlight from being seen on the edges. You can transfer these onto the new digitizer, just be careful as they can rip easily. Good luck.
@@wardrin Thanks Wardrin! I think I might have to give that a go. Really appreciate the info. 👍
Keeping it real Steve. 😂 I appreciate you embracing the emotional roller coaster of reality versus fake TH-cam content. 💯✅
A few constructive tips. A big part of soldering is choosing the right tip for the job . Your tip is too small and fine for almost any anchor point, the solder is probably not at fault here. You can hot air a port this size off without wicking it first. I don't think you gain much benefit with your method compared to the risks. You can use your low melt to aid in it if your worried about how much heat you will be using, but, can also regulate heat by moving your nozzle more rapidly (I will be doing some basics content on this technique). Don't press down on BGAs, they are not like QFN., they react poorly to it.
Hope some of that helps with the next try.
Great production and editing as always.
Thanks Micro, yes that does help, thank you! I knew i had the wrong tip, I just couldn't be bothered changing it - Definitely something that I need to work at! I only started wicking because I couldn't remove the ribbon cable, I have no idea why I carried on afterwards though 🙃. But yeah, really appreciate the feedback and I'll keep working at it. Cheers mate 👍
Weller Solder is the only solder I'd use and recommend.
Really really enjoyed that Steve!!!! even though I could feel the pain you went through. Maybe buy a digitizer but don't fully install it. Just connect it up to the board and leave it flapping in the wind. You can then work out where F is by trial and error to see if it is working on the new digitizer before having the hassle of fitting it. It might turn out to be flux in the actual connector rather than a faulty digitizer. I feel a revisit coming on. I think you will get this working mate 👍
Thanks Vince, really appreciate that! I can't believe i haven't thought of connecting the digitizer without removing the old one! That would make life much easier, and I think I'll give that a go! Thanks mate 😊
Draft question but does the keys not work in either rotation, if it didn't as you touch 2 different areas of the screen it must be a touch screen issue.
Thanks Beaps, no idea why I didn't think of that! Yeah, they work in landscape, so it's definitely the digitizer! 👍
I just found your channel and love it. I been watching you videos like an addict lol. How can I send you something to fix
I would say the mini hot plate may help you on that port and the BGA chips in the future. Great video overall!
Thanks Jason, yeah that is a good shout. I need to have a go with the mini hot plate and get used to it first I think. Might give melting off that epoxy blob a go.
yes you have improved a lot
And stazzzzy is back with another brilliant video keep them coming brother 🥰
Thanks Jinxy! 😁
@@StezStixFix shame it wasn't the out come you wanted but its a good video and it didn't make me giggle with voice over
you fixed what was broken so it was a success. Its possible to use a bluetooth mouse on Fire tablets if he touch screen is faulty.
kestler solder 60/40 flux core..you will be happy i promise!
First. Great video mate. You will repair it in a revisit i suspect
Thanks RB. After readng up on it, it seems that dead spots on these touchscreens are common. So I think I need to replace it. 👍
Interesting one Steve. All practice and all adding up to the experience 😁
Thanks Joey, yep learnt again from this one, so it's all good! 👍
steve it looks like it has a dead spot in the digitiser which i do not think was your fault you can buy new digitisers but they are a pain to do i would have took the charge port off with hot air then cleaned the pads and holes up after you would have saved your self a headache well done though you fixed it
Thanks Jon. Yeah, I've since read up on it, and the dead spots do seem common. I started with the soldering iron on the USB port because of the proximity to the ribbon cables, but yeah hot air was definitely the easier way to go. I wanted to try it though, as I've never done it before, so once again, I've learnt something! 👍
Excellent music in this one
I like watching your videos... and I like that you also include the failing videos ...
I know this is an old thread but it occurred to me that if the fault is the touchscreen does it have auto rotate? If so, could you rotate the unit and see if the F works on a different part of the screen?
What I ended up doing with my crap solder, is to use it as fodder solder. I use it to coat my iron tip before putting it away, so the crap solder is what oxidizes instead of the tip - saving my good Kester solder. And of course, before using it again, it's wiped off on the brass shavings. That's all it's good for... Fodder Solder™ 👍
Has all the characteristics of a knackered Digitizer! good vid Steve. yes was also to say check connector!
Thanks J, yeah I think the Digitizer is shot. I checked the connector and all seemed well. Might try and pick one up and swap it out! 👍
Good to see you attempt to fix this Fire HD Tablet there Steve and quite interesting to watch but will you replace the touchscreen at some time to do a revisit ? - Nice 1 👍
Thanks Chris! Yeah, I do want to go back to it and swap out the touchscreen, see if it fixes it. I'll be much happier if I can get it fully working! 😊
Did this ever get a revisit ?
Did you fix this thing in the end?
It's been a while since this video went up and if my kids are anything to go by I doubt they've been waiting this long patiently. 😅
Jeeezz! That Flux looks like Kaviar eggs 🤣🤣🤣
I mean…. That’s impressive that you got it that far.
I have this exact problem with my touch screen. Shame you couldn't fix it as it would have shown me what to do.
1st class video to watch thank you take care kind regards from me kenneth💖👈👍
I need some help with my PS4 because when I turn it on it load onto a black screen as usual and then I stay onto the black screen and doesn’t change. I’ve done everything from the safe mode and I don’t know what to do.
What colour is the light on the front of the PS4? If it's white, then it's probnably a HDMI issue, if it's blue it could be a multitude of things, but possibly the hard drive 👍
seeing how beat up the tablet was, and the state of the screen, I'd go ahead and assume the screen came like that lol
04:44 I can swear I was thinking it cannot be more funny... but it is :)
Right Angle Micro Tweezers, buy them already!
I'm a big Weller fan :-D lol!
Yea was gonna say the screen is simple to undo
Digitizer needs a new one
Thanks Alvin, I think you're right! 👍
yo steve, i wouldn't touch anything other than silver bearing solder, especially for these micro repairs... the only thing you're doing by using the crappiest solder you can get, basically copper piping solder at this point xD is making better content for us haha but seriously get some silver bearing at least for one go
Your style is unorthodox. -But useless..................but 10/10 for effort...Stezza
Wow that's a big battery, That's what the Hen said the Cock 😂 I spy a Gravediggaz T-Shirt 6 feet deep if I recall. Stevie Blood or Stezo ✌
Anyway you can disassemble it further a bunch of screws & some patients. You got to hot air the old one off OR the blue mat of death (Not recommended)
Love you SteveN platonic of course. You got me to add the N 😒 I did my daughters, she was so upset. A little patients & perseverance pays off in the end 🖖👍
Excellent Gravediggaz knowledge there Steve 🙌. I'm very tempted to replace the digitizer, but the owner isn't too bothered and only really wanted to get the data off of it, so I might not get chance. 😊
Yep I used to wear them too! I had a sweatshirt that I liked a lot, until one day I went with my younger brother on our motocross bikes and I was jumping a 4ft hump to teach him, how to keep the front wheel down & level. My top was tied around my waist and got ripped apart by the sprocket :/ I wasn't happy at the time. Anyway can't they let you fix it after they got the data? My daughters data is on the 'Amazon Cloud Drive' so surely they can do that, then let you do your magic on it 😎
Considerably more swearing in this one Steve, and for good reason, looked like a bugger. Still, gives me hope that these things can be fixed instead of ending up on landfill
There's plenty more swearing on the cutting room floor. This thing was a bugger, and no mistake. Still, hopefully it'll live on a bit longer before going to silicone heaven.
Based on this device containing the kid’s “Minecraft life,” did you at least recover the data, even if the tablet hardware itself may be too difficult to salvage?
Got a bit of a potty mouth in this one lol
03:14 LOL so much :)
"Fire for Kids" - should they be allowing kids to play with fire?!? 😜
Seriously though, so frustrating with the touch screen/digitiser, especially with the successful charger port repair.
Holy smeghead; I was annoyed for you with the board holder striping off those components. 😵 Are there any audio/video files/access to TH-cam apps to try out the stereo audio? Headphones would probably make it more obvious to test. Worst case scenario, at least mono should work.
I've got faith that you can fix these issues. Keep up the good work Stez!
Thanks Toxo 😁 . Yeah, I supsect it's outputting mono, but for such a little device, I doubt anyone would even notice. That board holder is most definitely in the bin! It was an accident waiting to happen... the tension in the springs is hefty!
@@StezStixFix In fairness, the board holder looked like really good idea (I was tempted until this video) and is probably fine for single sided PCBs. It could do with something to elevate the board a bit more to stop the components rubbing whilst without losing the strength of the grip.
@@ToxoRetro I've got another board holder, buy it doesn't raise the pcb. I've also ordered a magnetic one to try, but I'm not sure I'll have any more joy with that. It seems to be hard to find a decent one!
@@StezStixFix Good luck. May the force be with you.
Is it even really fixed unless you break it more and swear at it before it’s done?
I have the same tablet that gave up charging after the micro USB socket pin on the actual tablet became loose over time ( common fault) That's why kindle are now using the type c ports
Thanks N! Yeah, it does seem like a common problem wit hthese tablets. And I guess with the Kids' version, they're going to be putting in the Micro USB upside, which wont help. The USB-C port sounds like a good solution!
@@StezStixFix I got the 2019 kindle fire 10 HD now. Its quite a lot better, full HD screen and type c port. No issues yet 👍 I think all devices now are going type c. Ps5 have on their control pads whereas ps4 haven't
@@ndavies5968 USB-C is definitely the way to go. I've not had a play with the Fire 10's but they do appear to be a step up. 👍
Steven, this is why you get paid "the big bucks" :O)
NOT CHEAP Mijing T26 Hexadic-Shaft Six-Axis PCB Logic Board Holder Fixture Fixing Tool for
Thanks Alexander! I think I've seen that one before, around £50. Do you have one and would you recommend?
@@StezStixFix NorthridgeFix TRYED 5 OR 7 AND SAID Mijing T26 Hexadic-Shaft Six-Axis PCB Logic Board Holder WAS THE BEST AND NOTE LOTS OF VIEWS
Thanks Alexander. Much appreciated 👍
@@StezStixFix 9 PCB Board Holders reviewed - Qianli iPinch Kaisi Magnetic - Which is best
That looked liked a piece of salt lol that's insane how small those components are
Thomas... lol 😄
Proof that no good deed goes unpunished ... I really hope you launched that board holder out the window at high velocity back to China! If you can enable bluetooth and pair a device with it you might be able to gain some control. I think some more research may be required. Alternatively if you can find one on ebay with a broken screen and do a transplant?
Good shout G B! 👍 And yes, I most definitely launched the board holder. It's in the bin now, with the terrible solder!
Look like a faulty digitizer
You are doing a wonderful job, in the future however, get you some Kaptan tape will save you a lot of swearing I promise. Lmao I know this cause I used to never use Kaptan tape and broke a lot of gadgets.
14:06 that's what she said.
Ask your friend to get his child a charging board for his tablet then he won't be disconnecting the cable all the time to charge it and this will then not bugger up the port.................🦁
now he cant say fug in minecraft, poor kid :---(
you ok Steevo? Im getting a different vibe from this video.
I can't tell what the fix is but the problem is that it doesn't give an F
F
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤,👍👍👍👍👍👍
the f don't work because you used all your fs when the board holder screwed you over lol
I got one of these for my kid. What a f*****g disappointment.
No typing out the F word.
Thankfully the new Fire HD 10 I got they switched to USB C. Good riddance.
$60 to buy a new one saves a lot of time and frustration!
Those are throw away tablets 😂😂