Modifying a Netbook

[pete_c]

Can anyone suggest the best way to solder a mini 10 pin BT connector to my Asus 900A netbook? The 10 pin traces are very close together and small. I would have to solder the connector to these traces. I do have one of those lamps with the large circular magnifying glass. I have soldered SF stuff but many many years ago (10 years or so).

I am currently using an external mini-BT model which is OK but would rather utilize an internal almost OEM solution. I purchased a ASUS OEM BT module with a 10-pin connector. The traces are on the motherboard for the other side of the connector. I also have purchased a combo BT/WLAN mini PCIE card but found out that the BT part of the card requires some sort of USB pin voltage change for it to work correctly. My other attempt has been to purchase a mini-USB hub which is small and can be fitted inside of the netbook and connected to the camera USB port.

Here are a couple of pictures of my EEEPC 900a. The first one is an overview of the top of the motherboard and the second one is a close up of where the BT connector traces are located.

Here is a picture of the EEEPc 901 with the same Asus BT module that I purchased.

 

[mdesmarais]

I'll tell you how I would do it . . .

First wick off all the solder from the pads so you can get the new part to sit nice and flat.

Carefully place the part and pin it with a tweezer or xacto.

Carry a little solder on the tip of the iron and tack the two end pins down. (alternately you can not wick one, heat the solder and position the connector while it is molten. just be careful not to overheat the conn)

Put some liquid flux on all the pins.

Use a tiny amount of solder and solder each unsoldered pin. You probably won't need to add solder at each joint- depends how small the part is.

Go back and re-solder the tacked pins to get a clean joint.

If you create a short, wick it out- hopefully leaving the joint intact (repeat until good ;-)

So you need fine solder wick, fine solder, and appropriate flux. Use a little alcohol to clean the flux up.

 

[pete_c]

Thank you for your suggestions. Trying to keep the EEEPc as close as OEM as possible. Will check out Jameco for the connector.

 

[mdesmarais]

Digikey and Mouser are also good sources. You are probably going to need the connector part number to get the right one- there a lot of different connectors that will fit that type of footprint. If you can read the manufacturer off the other side, that would be a good start.

 

[pete_c]

Its an OEM ASUS laptop BT module with a 10 pin connector cable. Much of the netbook's internals have been documented so may be able to find an eqvalent connector. Thanks for the help. Many folks have just hacked USB mini BT modules inside of the case soldering to whatever usb / voltage pins that they could find.

 

[drozwood90]

be careful you don't need to add on any support parts (extra resistors, caps., etc.). Sometimes the whole support circuit is depopulated (at 0.001 per resistor, at 1,000,000 units, that's $1000 someone saved...plus the connector at maybe $0.50 / a few caps...
(that pricing was for qty. 1,000,000).


Maybe someone saved the company $500,000-600,000

--Dan

 

[pete_c]

Thanks Dan.

Yes I have read threads regarding installation of said OEM module but with modifications and direct connections of about 5 of 10 of said cables from the 10 pin connector to the motherboard. Someone else on the Asus EEEPC forum also mentioned something about maybe some resistors not present on said board. Its very vague and difficult to find info on as the forum is a mix of all sorts of message threads, some completed some not. There are so many models of the same series its hard to get a handle on the specifics relating to any one series EEEPC netbook.

Another avenue I am pursuing is the enabling the functions of a combo WLAN & BT minPCI E card I purchased. That may even be simplier. I read somewhere that the BT HW part of the card is USB and that involves maybe some modifications of said card / connector pins on MB.

Both of these endeavors though would be minimally invasive and the less to install inside case and on the motherboard / with the least amount of added soldering or cabling would be great.