What killed it, well after reviewing some PS4 gameplay I noticed that it was having audio issues, like it would allow some sounds but not all. It was almost as if it was receiving a 5.1 audio output but was missing the centre channel. Even though the PS4 was set to stereo.

After trying various cables, configs, and boxes. I narrowed it down to this box. Not sure what killed it, whether it's just old, or that it's been powered on for over 5 years straight. But its long service will never be forgotten in the hours of Netflix and Disney Plus it passed through to my recorder.

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[–] db2@sopuli.xyz 25 points 2 years ago (5 children)

I see corrosion/deposits by those two leds and the hdmi.. rinse it with vinegar, then DI water, then 90% alcohol. See if that doesn't bring it back to life once it's fully dry. You also might have to reflow the solder though.

[–] the16bitgamer@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago

I have another in the setup thats working, but I'll probably hold onto it though if I can fix it as easily as you say

[–] circuscritic@lemmy.ca 8 points 2 years ago

This.

I would absolutely try cleaning the board.

I would also spend $8-20 for a new one before I tried to DIY solder reflow various SMD caps.

[–] foofiepie@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago (2 children)

How would you reflow the solder?

With an iron? Or a heat gun? What would be the best approach for something like this with lots of tiny surface mounts?

[–] kaupas24@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I've reflowed a raspberry pi 0w with a camping stove and a thermometer. As long as there aren't any components on the other side of the pcb, it might work.
Edit: here's an old photo. Thing still works, many months later

[–] agent_flounder@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago

If you have a hot air rework station, that's one way. Because then it is temp and flow controlled and you can choose a suitable nozzle and direct heat to small spots.

[–] MrZee@lemm.ee 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Just curious since you clearly know a lot about this stuff: What are your thoughts on the heat sinks being a part of the issue? Is there a decent chance the device could benefit from replacing whatever adhesive/paste was used to attach them? Or is that even doable?

[–] db2@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 years ago

It depends on how much heat it's actually making, but maybe if the factory job done was crappy. It's probably thermal adhesive though which is harder to remove.

[–] Pretzilla@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Good call. And better than 90% isopropyl is Anhydrous alcohol.

A neighborhood laptop repair shop could probably do all these steps for you, too.