falcaineer Posted February 18, 2018 Share Posted February 18, 2018 Yes, you read the title correctly. Don't believe me? Read on... About a week ago, my (admittedly outdated LG G3) phone died on me. Out of nowhere, the screen went blue and the phone shut down. It wouldn't turn on, wouldn't take a charge. Nothing. It was D-E-D, dead! While I forgot to get a picture of my phone, here's what it looked like: So now what??? Dr. Google to the rescue! After a little research, I found this is fairly common with G3's. I came across multiple articles and videos describing how people applied heat to the motherboard as a fix action. Hair dryers, heat guns, and ovens, too. I thought no way that could work, but I'm not an electrical engineer. But the phone is essentially a brick, so what do I have to lose? Well, besides all the data I hadn't backed up in a little while. Anyway, off to the kitchen! Phone disassembled, motherboard laid gently on the cookie sheet. *No cooking spray applied. Oven temp set at 350' (later reduced to 325', basically out of fear ), and timer set for 10 VERRRRYYYYYY LOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG minutes. A watched motherboard never broils... Dinner's ready!!! It didn't really brown, that's just the lighting. I think. Soooooo, did it work? Phone reassembled...press power button........wait.........no blue screen.......wait..........Verizon startup screen!......wait......... YES!!! I am back up and running, and - knock on wood - have been ever since. And there's even a little Adam's reflection on the home screen for your viewing pleasure. I must admit I really thought I was being punked. But I'm not surprised at all to know there are plenty of smarter people than me out there. When in doubt, phone a friend! P.S. Hat tip to @Norton who doesn't believe I'll get a new phone anytime soon. He's probably right. blcksilv08, 8675309'SS, Traizer and 4 others 5 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blcksilv08 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 That's a pretty good one! I wonder if it heated and expanded a contact that was broken or loose enough that you were able to regain power. falcaineer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firebuff17 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 That is so weird. Cause heat is generally a bad thing for electronics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcaineer Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 1 hour ago, blcksilv08 said: That's a pretty good one! I wonder if it heated and expanded a contact that was broken or loose enough that you were able to regain power. That's what I'm thinking, too. Maybe a bad solder somewhere that the heat remelded. I'll chalk it up to a mini-miracle for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickfire20 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 That’s crazy, i was thinking about a solder point also. Hmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcaineer Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Firebuff17 said: That is so weird. Cause heat is generally a bad thing for electronics. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming it was a good thing to do to it. But it got me out of a pickle for now, so lesser of two evils. Firebuff17 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naylor649 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 This is odd but awesome. I wonder the life span after this lol. falcaineer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I have a flip phone. ZMAN024, Captain Slow, Beemer and 1 other 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pirahnah3 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 Thinking about it (and im the boat of not an engineer) I wonder if this is similar to a problem a car I used to own had with the tachometer in the cluster. Same theory was to bake it and you were ok. I have a feeling what it is as we discussed it several times over is that a solder joint eventually gets weak and has a crack in it. Reheating it in theory is allowing some of the solder to reform in the area. I have also seen folks take soldering guns to it with a tiny drop of solder to repair them (Same for key fobs that break) so I can see it working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackCadi14 Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 I have a PS3 that has a Yellow light of Death, I have googled it and it says to heat the board up and let the solder reflow, I wonder if I could do the same with it. I never thought about using an oven to reflow solder. its dead too so i guess i could try. Very nice trick with the cell phone. falcaineer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcaineer Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share Posted February 19, 2018 14 hours ago, Rich said: I have a flip phone. This is my surprised face, Rich: 3 hours ago, BlackCadi14 said: I have a PS3 that has a Yellow light of Death, I have googled it and it says to heat the board up and let the solder reflow, I wonder if I could do the same with it. I never thought about using an oven to reflow solder. its dead too so i guess i could try. Very nice trick with the cell phone. Doesn't sound like you have anything to lose, either. Good luck...and don't forget an apron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris@Adams Posted February 19, 2018 Share Posted February 19, 2018 That's pretty neat! falcaineer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcaineer Posted May 22, 2018 Author Share Posted May 22, 2018 Well, after...several ?...more needed and successful rounds in the oven, I finally got my new phone. @Norton was right ? Norton 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ObsessedDetailer Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 On 2/18/2018 at 3:33 PM, falcaineer said: Yes, you read the title correctly. Don't believe me? Read on... About a week ago, my (admittedly outdated LG G3) phone died on me. Out of nowhere, the screen went blue and the phone shut down. It wouldn't turn on, wouldn't take a charge. Nothing. It was D-E-D, dead! While I forgot to get a picture of my phone, here's what it looked like: So now what??? Dr. Google to the rescue! After a little research, I found this is fairly common with G3's. I came across multiple articles and videos describing how people applied heat to the motherboard as a fix action. Hair dryers, heat guns, and ovens, too. I thought no way that could work, but I'm not an electrical engineer. But the phone is essentially a brick, so what do I have to lose? Well, besides all the data I hadn't backed up in a little while. Anyway, off to the kitchen! Phone disassembled, motherboard laid gently on the cookie sheet. *No cooking spray applied. Oven temp set at 350' (later reduced to 325', basically out of fear ), and timer set for 10 VERRRRYYYYYY LOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG minutes. A watched motherboard never broils... Dinner's ready!!! It didn't really brown, that's just the lighting. I think. Soooooo, did it work? Phone reassembled...press power button........wait.........no blue screen.......wait..........Verizon startup screen!......wait......... YES!!! I am back up and running, and - knock on wood - have been ever since. And there's even a little Adam's reflection on the home screen for your viewing pleasure. I must admit I really thought I was being punked. But I'm not surprised at all to know there are plenty of smarter people than me out there. When in doubt, phone a friend! P.S. Hat tip to @Norton who doesn't believe I'll get a new phone anytime soon. He's probably right. I wonder what the first person was thinking when their phone was being weird like yours. My last thought would be to put it in the oven...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcaineer Posted October 14, 2018 Author Share Posted October 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, ObsessedDetailer said: I wonder what the first person was thinking when their phone was being weird like yours. My last thought would be to put it in the oven...? What's for dinner?! ? ObsessedDetailer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coral farmer Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 On 2/18/2018 at 2:33 PM, falcaineer said: A watched motherboard never broils... I'm in the market for a new range, is that a Blue Star? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
falcaineer Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 On 10/13/2018 at 7:41 PM, coral farmer said: I'm in the market for a new range, is that a Blue Star? No, it's a Verona. 36" side by side electric ovens (2/3, 1/3), with gas stove top. Love it. coral farmer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coral farmer Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 19 minutes ago, falcaineer said: No, it's a Verona. 36" side by side electric ovens (2/3, 1/3), with gas stove top. Love it. Thanks, I'll have to take a look at that brand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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