VOGONS


First post, by Zanoni_Revived

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Hi all

It's my first post here, been a long time lurker.

I'm looking to get some advice on repair of my Voodoo 5500 card please.

I put the card away years ago when it started artifacting. On post it would show the 3DFX bios text but it would have lines missing from it. After watching loads of repair videos I decided it was time to try and fix it. I read https://3dfx-alive.de/3dfx-troubleshooting-guide which pointed me towards the memory. So I removed one at a time the video memory on the primary processor. I didn't see a difference when I got down to the last chip. At that point I tried removing all memory from the secondary processor. Still no joy. I bought some replacement memory of identical kind (new old stock) and replaced all memory chips. (admittingly this did not go completely smoothly given my lack of experience soldering something so small, I removed a few pads, but they seemed to be non connected, so wasn't worried.) I've triple checked all solder joints on the memory, reflowed and cleaned. Replaced a resistor that was missing on the back memory (r527)
Unfortunately my problem persists. It's a strange one, I suspect my be due to problems with the primary processor, but I'm hoping that someone else will know otherwise.

Reply 1 of 4, by Masterchief79

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Heyo,
you're correct, the problem could've been a memory solder joint. You made sure it wasn't. So there's three more possibilities: The other end of the connection -> the GPU solder balls, the connection itself -> the traces in the PCB, or the GPU has an internal defect.
I would guess that a GPU solder joint is cracked or corroded which would not be uncommon. It's possible to reflow or (better) reball the GPU. That's not work you can do at home with a heatgun and some flux, though.
I think you can also still buy the GPU chips new somewhere if you want to replace it altogether (or the old one doesn't survive the solder work). You would've ruled out possibility #3 with that aswell. In terms of possibility #2, theoretically there could be broken or damaged traces on the PCB, but you can usually identify those visually and rule out that one quickly.

All of this assuming you had the GPU with the problem identified correctly and haven't done the replacements on the "healthy" GPU.

Also new here btw, still a Voodoo noob, but did lots of repair work the past year.

Reply 2 of 4, by Zanoni_Revived

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Hey thanks for replying. Apologies for my late reply as I've been away on holiday. I think I've ruled out any problem with any traces I can see. Gave it a good examination under my little microscope was one of the first things I did. Also an isopropyl bath in case there was any contamination. I suspect you're right about being a processor chip problem but since I doubt I can replace that myself I was clutching at straws. Could maybe e try a reflow but I'm conscious of causing more damage than good. Just wondering if I was to go a out reflowing, is it possible to do this using a needle tip iron on the reverse side via these through holes? I'm not sure the reflow gun I have could get enough heat into the proc to melt the solder given how long it took to heat the ram chips.

Reply 3 of 4, by Zanoni_Revived

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This is what I meant for clarity

Reply 4 of 4, by Masterchief79

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Zanoni_Revived wrote on 2024-07-18, 22:39:

This is what I meant for clarity

Please don't. 😁

If you're located somewhere in the EU (or even Germany) I could reball the GPU for you.
In terms of reflowing it yourself: It's not impossible but you need some equipment and knowledge. Please don't try your first GPU reflow on a Voodoo 5. 😁 It will not work.
You would need:
- a powerful preheater
- a hot air soldering station with the proper 40x40mm bit on top
- flux
- experience when the solder liqufies and what temperatures GPUs survive

Regarding the value of the card I would consider sending it out for repair. I heard there are some resident voodoo experts around who do a lot of work on these cards.
I personally haven't done voodoos before but about every other GPU around. From repairing two GeForce 3's last week to reballing RTX3070 GPUs. If you've already swapped all memory chips you've pretty much narrowed it down to the GPU BGA in my opinion.