Chalk up another L505D with failed hardware here. First thing that went was the monitor, but it comes on if you crack the lid open 45°. Any further, and you get a black screen. I thought, "no prblem, I can live with that". Shortly thereafter, the speakers made a buzzing noise and that was the last noise they made.
So now I had a laptop that had a malfunctioning lid switch, no sound, no USB, and no card reader. And of course, just two months out of warranty.
Tried checking drivers, doing updates, reinstalling windows, etc. Still nothing. So out come the screwdrivers. Immediately I noticed the southbridge chip had nothing on it. I've repaired laptops before and usually there is some method of dissapting heat from it. (Most often a thermal pad that makes contact with the metal frame under the keyboard.) It doesn't take a genius to follow traces on a circuit board and see that the soutbridge chip is connected to the audio, usb, and SD card reader.
Having fixed a couple xbox's before, I knew about reflowing. So I thought I'd give it a shot. My hot air rework gun did nothing. Perhaps I was just being too cautious with it because I didn't want to risk damaging any nearby components. But tonight I think I will try the oven trick. I've had great success on two xbox's using this method. But only when overheating or heatguns just wouldn't work. Wish me luck
As far as Toshiba goes, they have lost a customer here. And when all my friends and family are shopping for laptops, I will no longer recommend Toshiba products. IMO, they used to make the most reliable ones out there, but for whatever reason quantity has replaced quality. Even more disgusting than that, is their lack of support for a defective product. Shame on you Toshiba
