PS2 Ripper 2 Gold - modchip unsoldering

[Berion]

Since my battery died and make console booting into factory state, using PS2 starting to be extremely annoying. I have zero manual skills so I really afraid of disassemble console (in my model battery is placed the bottom of Tartar :P). But oh well, I decided to put everything at stake and try it. And while I need rip apart literally whole console, I decided also to unsolder my modchip which is quite useless for me with NA+HDD and FMCB/FHDB (and whole FMCB 1.9xx line conflicting with it).

So I have few tips for anyone who have Ripper 2 Gold, want get rid of it, and have wooden hands. ;p

1. Do not unsolder all cables to greatly reduce risk of burning pads. Instead, wobble them gently until they drop out (they will leave stalagmites but this is ok ;]).
2. Be careful with splitting connection between resistors (attachment A). Warm the soldering iron enough to take out the tin but not warm enough to not burn them or move them from positions.
3. Be careful to not merge paths, i.e in place marked on attachment B.

Good luck. ^^

 

[ragen-fio]

Great advice for beginners.

I removed dozens of modchips with the soldering iron without any problem. It is easier to do if the solder joints are done well by the person who installed the modchip, but many times were done very badly and also the removal was not easy with the risk of damaging something.

 

[Berion]

I'm completely beginner in case of soldering but I needed to replace battery, in addition disabling modchip every time on boot was so annoying that I decide to gather some courage and trying to unsolder it. I succeed but also my modchip was professionally soldered (maybe with one exception, far right blob on second screen).