Can someone explain why a computer toolkit from the year 2008 still includes a useless soldering iron?  First off, it's probably only a 35 watt iron which can barely melt paper, let alone industrial, high temp solder.  Additionally, the tip that is included with the kit is not small enough to work with almost any of the components on a mother board.  Even if the tip on the iron was small enough, there is a reason that these things are assembled by robots.  The average human hand just doesn't have the dexterity or stability to solder that small of a connection without damaging the board.

I've had first hand experience with this.  I've successfully replaced parts on motherboards including power jacks for notebooks and capacitors for larger boards (had to use a 45 watt iron to melt the solder to remove the part).  However, there is always something else wrong.  For the average home PC, which is the primary thing I work on, a new mother board can be as little as $70.  That's alot less than you are going to be paying me to replace some parts on the board and then still have it not work because of a power spike that killed three transistors I can barely see with a magnifying glass.

So, now you may be asking what's in a tool kit that's usefull?  Well, here's the list:

• Precision set of screwdrivers (Flat and Phillips)
• Needlenose pliers
• Small set of nut drivers
• Anti-static mat and grounding wrist strap (yes, static is a real threat)

That's you're basic kit.  It's got everything I need to replace any practicle part of a home computer.  And if it's a server, I'll probably need less.

Don't worry... more rants are coming.  I have a plan.  Comment away! 

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!