Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

Hi
My N900 is no phone anymore and im searching a shop to reflow/reball my gsm driver.

I tried the spring epoxy fix in multiple variations and got an improvement, but calls are dropping still sometimes.

A "new" n900 is no option cause it seems it is just a question of time till it breaks.

If you know a repair shop or someone who is willing to fix this in Europe please post.
(Otherwise i will put my hot iron to work on that RAPUYAMA and you cant want that)

(Im on a S2 CM11 at the Moment and it feels like a toy compared to n900)

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

If you can find a place that reflow things for PS portable (or other, similarly sized pieces of electronic), they should be able to do it for N900. you must be able to tell them which chip exactly have broken solder joints.

Other than that, roaster oven reflow in home is only solution. I have one N90 0with exactly this problem, that is used by my son (almost 6 years old, he doesn't need SIM functionality yet, but broken modem breaks GPS, too...), and I'll try to do this repair as soon as I get a fully working replacement for him. Just for the sake of curiosity, baking N900 in home oven sounds like lot of fun for whole geeky family :)

/Estel

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

Out of the four N900s that have passed through my hands, ONE has suffered the problem. And I got it that way from the previous owner. What are you people doing to your phones?

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

I dont like the Oven:
n900 is mounted on both sides, (how do you fix gravity?)
i did epoxy usb fix and dont want to burn it down.

DIY could be fun, some ideas:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIaZ8I7TxDM (i would try it with flux)
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eNKsm5BiIk You just need the right temperature and duration
3. get a hot air soldering station, and doing the spring fix anyway (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php?t=36447&page=20)

but it "sometimes" doesnt work.

What would be the Temperatur for N900 lead free solder and how long should it be applied, any flux recommendations, pro tipps (except dont do it :)).

@pichlo I dont know. Its my first n900 and im not doing Parkour.. (http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...&postcount=234)

PS: A pro would still be nice.

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

I've had 3 out of 5 die of this problem within 2 years, (one used, two new).
OTOH never had any problem with USB port, so I'd ask what ppl are doing there??

I suspect it's to do with humidity; all 3 died in the summer where we get 80-90% humidity normally. Luckily this summer was unusually cool and dry so hopefully my current unit will last longer :)

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

Epoxy for USB port isn't a fix, it's placebo. OTOH, indeed, it could cause problems with roaster oven.

/Estel

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

Two summers ago I had this problem 2 or 3 times, but it went away on its own. I suppose it could have been software related though.

Or maybe the long commute in high temperatures inside my car "reflowed" the modem chip connections, much as it reflowed my brain. :)

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

Status update:
Good news and bad news.
Good news:
found a "pro" console (no mobile shop could be found) shop (thanks to Estels hint) who did a reball on gazoo and rapuyama and it seems to be working.
Bad news:
The keyboard mate/white foil didnt survive.
HeatMap.jpg
The Camera module dont like heat.
heat.jpg

seems shop only "pro" in taking money, i guess i should not have joked about how to (not) do it.

I should have done it myself, would have been much more fun..

Is there a n900 hardware test script to find all defective parts?

i guess i can replace the camera module and the foil, but havent found a place where to get the white foil.

I guess i have to get another n900 and merge.

Damn: I'll miss the mighty week!

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

I finally made it: It seems i succesfully reflowed a n900 with loose gsm chips. (My disastrous current ratio 1 of 3) I even filmed it. But I used a n900 and sadly i learned that the max film record length did not suffice to capture the beauty of the procedure. Even worse even the first parts seems to be not ok.Thats kind of sad, cause the prices of n900 seems on the rise again, and cause im missing polling i like to start a new poll -> New thread.

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

I have one that is a "All telephony functions.." marvel...
Bought it way back when from a guy who told me it had the issue..
Haven't bothered attempting to fix it since it could roast the n900 ....
an oven baked meal I can't even eat!
:D

I have been using it for the wifi and as a home computing station...
hubbed with mouse, keyboard and plugged into a 40 inch flat screen....
Been thinking of selling it lately...

Anyway....

Bring on the Poll!!!

Will there be pop and chips ? Hope so

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

My beloved N900 suffered this issue and Android phones cannot satisfy me. Couldn't get it repaired from any service centre. Fixes suggested dint work. Anyone can fix mine,? I'm ready to ship it internationally to anyone who can fix it. Thanks.

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

Most probably it is cheaper to just buy a working n900.

The realfix is to replace the defect ic (most propably gazzo). (chip cost around 2-3$)
If you dont find that chip, a more expensive reball.
You may get away with a reflow.

Anyway you need to heat your n900.
But preparing the n900 to do so includes disassemble the hole device, removing shielding, partly removing the white keyboard foil and the camera module. This takes some time and need some "homemade" special tools to lift the camera.

I always wanted to make a video of a successful repair.

But what means "succesful"?
You applied heat to the right part. The error is hopefully gone.

Now you need to just check that you dont broke any of the "million" functions the n900 has. Which includes that you dont build a wrong solder bridge and your n900 now has half of battery life. Or you applied too much heat and damaged a part of a chip.
That is hard to check.

So it is work, you cant guarantee that it works and in this case internationally shipping makes it too expensive.

If you have a defect device in europe and want to help me make that video.
I may be interested in buying a defect one at 20 euro
And if it worked and you want it back, i can sell it back "repaired" at 20 euro plus shipping cost to you.
But it must have a reliably ;) all telephony functions error.

Re: Where to "pro" fix: GSM Driver (All telephony functions disabled due to a communication error)?
 

@pythoneye2
cross-linking: http://talk.maemo.org/showthread.php...04#post1547204