Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

youtube.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–18 of 18 posts

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#11

Post by Buge »

awakeasleep wrote: post #4

These videos -specifically the ones calling Apple out for water damage- are some sort of weird internet phenomenon. Apple's stated and written policy is "we replace everything if we detect water damage, no negotiation". Thats the real story, and thats what we should debate. There is nothing mysterious about this, it's just a business decision that sometimes makes getting your computer repaired at the genius bar impra…

I thought the issue would have something to do with the warranty. Like apple might have a policy that says we cover manufacturing problems within some time period, but we don't cover water damage. In that case a correct determination of whether something is water damage or not is critical.

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#12

Post by baybal2 »

There is some point in the claim, but still it feels bs.

You can popcorn a chip during reflow, some components are extremely moisture sensitive so they must be soldered the sane day they were removed from package, but you can't get popcorn from mechanical repair or a few touch ups with a soldering iron.

So, a screwup on Apple's contract manufacturer side is much more likely.

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#13

Post by iforgotpassword »

awakeasleep wrote: post #4

These videos -specifically the ones calling Apple out for water damage- are some sort of weird internet phenomenon. Apple's stated and written policy is "we replace everything if we detect water damage, no negotiation". Thats the real story, and thats what we should debate. There is nothing mysterious about this, it's just a business decision that sometimes makes getting your computer repaired at the genius bar impra…

Where exactly is the water damage? Iirc, thoes detectors turn red when they get wet, but in that video every single one I can spot on the main board is not red. Do they use different ones nowadays?

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#14

Post by slededit »

baybal2 wrote: post #12

There is some point in the claim, but still it feels bs. You can popcorn a chip during reflow, some components are extremely moisture sensitive so they must be soldered the sane day they were removed from package, but you can't get popcorn from mechanical repair or a few touch ups with a soldering iron. So, a screwup on Apple's contract manufacturer side is much more likely.

> you can't get popcorn from mechanical repair or a few touch ups with a soldering iron.

Yes you can, I've done it. Moisture sensitivity is about heat (and the resulting steam expansion). It doesn't matter whether its from the factory's re-flow oven or your hot air rework station.

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#15

Post by baybal2 »

slededit wrote: post #14
baybal2 wrote: post #12

There is some point in the claim, but still it feels bs. You can popcorn a chip during reflow, some components are extremely moisture sensitive so they must be soldered the sane day they were removed from package, but you can't get popcorn from mechanical repair or a few touch ups with a soldering iron. So, a screwup on Apple's contract manufacturer side is much more likely.

> you can't get popcorn from mechanical repair or a few touch ups with a soldering iron. Yes you can, I've done it. Moisture sensitivity is about heat (and the resulting steam expansion). It doesn't matter whether its from the factory's re-flow oven or your hot air rework station.

Hot air station is not a 20w soldering iron in steady hands

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#16

Post by slededit »

baybal2 wrote: post #15
slededit wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> you can't get popcorn from mechanical repair or a few touch ups with a soldering iron. Yes you can, I've done it. Moisture sensitivity is about heat (and the resulting steam expansion). It doesn't matter whether its from the factory's re-flow oven or your hot air rework station.

Hot air station is not a 20w soldering iron in steady hands

How you will solder a thousand ball BGA part as in the video with a soldering iron?

Almost all surface mount is designed for hot air. You can touch up an MLCC with an iron but you are very likely to crack it with uneven heat.

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#17

Post by baybal2 »

slededit wrote: post #16
baybal2 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hot air station is not a 20w soldering iron in steady hands

How you will solder a thousand ball BGA part as in the video with a soldering iron? Almost all surface mount is designed for hot air. You can touch up an MLCC with an iron but you are very likely to crack it with uneven heat.

Yes, but certainly not every repair requires replacement of a bga part. The most common are screen, buttons, usb connector, aside from the port, all other are purely mechanical.

Re: Apple calls popcorned CPU “liquid damage” [video]

#18

Post by slededit »

baybal2 wrote: post #17
slededit wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How you will solder a thousand ball BGA part as in the video with a soldering iron? Almost all surface mount is designed for hot air. You can touch up an MLCC with an iron but you are very likely to crack it with uneven heat.

Yes, but certainly not every repair requires replacement of a bga part. The most common are screen, buttons, usb connector, aside from the port, all other are purely mechanical.

Apple doesn't really use through hole parts - the connectors are SMT. I can't see any high volume repair shop using a soldering iron on SMT parts when hot air is so much easier and faster. A hobbyist might, but only because they don't have the hot air rework tools.
Post reply on HN