SmarTech Solutions Formerly Mr. Phone Doctor

SmarTech Solutions Formerly Mr. Phone Doctor Technology solutions for home and business. We specialize in tech repair, security systems and smart technology. Based in Las Cruces, NM.

08/14/2026

The chip is removed. But is the board actually ready for rework?

One of the important steps in MacBook NAND repair is properly preparing the board after chip removal.

In this session, I’m practicing how to:

• Remove leftover solder
• Clean black adhesive residue
• Apply flux correctly
• Use hot air for cleaning
• Inspect pads after NAND removal
• Identify mistakes that can happen during removal

Advanced microsoldering isn't built from getting everything perfect on the first attempt.

It's built through practice, patience, inspection, and repetition.

💬 What part of NAND repair do you find most difficult?

Watch the repair process and learn along with me.

MacBook NAND chip cleaning, MacBook repair, NAND repair, logic board repair, microsoldering, Apple repair, BGA chip repair, repair technician

08/13/2026

What if the most important part of an LCD refurbishment happens before the glass even touches it?

This iPad Pro 12.9 LCD is still in the preparation stage.

Before moving into lamination, the LCD is cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, inspected under a green inspection light, positioned in a precision mold, and dry-fitted with the OCA digitizer.

The goal is to catch potential issues early—especially dust, positioning, and alignment problems that become much more difficult to address later.

Good refurbishment starts with good preparation.

Technicians: what’s the first thing you check before starting an LCD refurbishment?

iPad Pro 12.9 refurbishment, LCD refurbishment, iPad screen repair, OCA digitizer, LCD alignment, screen restoration

08/12/2026

A repair livestream is only as good as the setup behind the bench. So we decided to build our own PC.

We wanted a more dedicated setup for our future repair livestreams, so Kai and I started building a compact PC from scratch. 🖥️🔧

The build included:

• DDR5 RAM
• NVMe storage
• Intel Wi-Fi module
• Cooling
• Power
• Cable management
• Capture setup

The interesting part wasn't simply installing the components. It was getting everything working together inside a compact system while keeping the setup practical for the repair bench.

The PC is now being prepared for its next job: helping us livestream more of our microsoldering and board-level electronics repair work.

We're still fine-tuning the capture setup, but the build is coming together nicely.

Want to see how we built the system from start to finish? 👇

🎥 Watch the full build: Full Livestreaming PC Build
https://vist.ly/5ehhy

And tell us — what would you add to a repair-shop livestream setup?

electronics repair livestream, microsoldering setup, streaming PC build, technician workstation, repair bench setup, mini PC

08/12/2026

The charging port is damaged, but removing it without damaging the motherboard is the real challenge.

Part 2 of this iPad 7 charging port repair takes us into one of the most delicate steps: removing the damaged connector from the logic board.

We use controlled hot air at 380°C with 50% airflow, allowing the solder to fully reflow before carefully lifting the connector.

The important part is avoiding unnecessary force. The objective is to preserve the PCB and solder pads underneath.

After removal, we clean the remaining adhesive, wash the area with IPA, apply fresh flux, and re-tin the pads with 183°C low-temperature solder alloy.

That's an important part of board-level repair that often gets overlooked:

Getting the component off is not the finish line. The condition of the board afterward matters just as much.

Next up: installing the replacement charging port.

For the technicians here, what's your preferred method for removing stubborn charging ports? Share your approach below.

iPad 7 repair, charging port replacement, logic board repair, microsoldering technician, Apple repair, hot air rework, ipad not charging

08/11/2026

What happens electrically when you press the iPhone 11 power button?

A button press looks simple from the outside, but diagnosing what happens on the logic board requires understanding the circuit behind it.

In this video, we start with the iPhone 11 schematic and locate the J7700 side button FPC connector. Then we match that schematic location to the actual logic board under the microscope.

We also demonstrate how the side-button function can be simulated by briefly connecting the appropriate signal to ground on the disassembled board.
The bigger lesson is diagnostic: don't just look for components—understand the path of the signal.

When you can move confidently between the schematic and the physical board, troubleshooting becomes much more systematic.

Watch the video and tell us what you'd like to see next: schematic reading, voltage measurements, or signal tracing?

iPhone 11 repair, power button diagnosis, logic board repair, schematic reading, FPC connector, microsoldering, board-level electronics repair

08/10/2026

See a missing pad? Don't assume the worst.

One of the biggest lessons in board-level repair is learning that visual damage doesn't always tell the whole story.

During this iPad 7 charge port repair, we look at the board condition, clean away flux using isopropyl alcohol, inspect the flex connector, and examine the pads before installation.

Some damaged-looking pads may be ground pads rather than critical signal connections.

That's why pad identification is such an important microsoldering skill.

If you're still learning, practice this type of inspection on donor boards before working on customer devices.

Have you ever encountered a pad that looked damaged but turned out to be ground? Share your experience below.

iPad 7 charging port repair, microsoldering repair, broken solder pads, board-level electronics repair, iPad flex connector, ground pads

08/09/2026

How do you repair a connection when the wire itself is almost impossible to see?

The damaged trace has been exposed. Now comes the delicate part — attaching an extremely thin jumper wire to the exposed area.

With flux, solder, and a steady hand, we're attempting to rebuild that connection without disturbing the surrounding board.

This is a good reminder that board-level repair isn't always about having bigger tools or applying more heat.

Sometimes, it's about precision, patience, and knowing exactly where to place the connection.

And just look at the size of that NAND chip we removed. 👀

We're still practicing and learning through these repairs, and every board gives us another opportunity to improve.
🔬 Watch the repair and let us know in the comments: What's the smallest jumper wire you've ever worked with?

Follow for more board-level repair and microsoldering content.

08/07/2026

Bad charging port… or something worse?

An iPad 7 came in not charging with an open-line reading… but is the charging port actually the problem? 👀🔬

Before replacing anything, we diagnose.

In Part 1, I test the charging circuit, inspect the board, and work through the problem before deciding what actually needs to be repaired.

One thing I’m really focusing on as I develop my microsoldering skills:

Don’t just replace parts. Understand what the board is telling you.

Every board teaches me something new.

But the real challenge comes next…

🔥 Can I remove the damaged charging port without lifting a single solder pad?

🎥 Watch Part 1 and follow along for Part 2.

08/06/2026

The NAND is gone. Now the real repair begins. 🔬

After removing the chip and cleaning the board, we uncovered multiple broken solder pads underneath.

The challenge? Finding exactly where each damaged pad connects.

Using the board schematics, each connection needs to be traced before carefully exposing the copper and rebuilding the electrical path with a fine jumper wire.

One board. Multiple damaged pads. A lot of precision work ahead.

I’m currently training and practicing advanced microsoldering techniques, and I’m sharing the process—the challenges, mistakes, and lessons—as I improve.

Follow along to see how this repair progresses.

08/05/2026

Torn iPad pads don’t always need jumper wires. 🔬

On this iPad 7 charge port repair, schematics revealed the damaged pads were only ground.

Address

Las Cruces, NM

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm

Telephone

+15756393406

Website

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