27 Jun
2013
27 Jun
'13
4:16 p.m.
On Thu, 27 Jun 2013, Sean Conner wrote:
Okay, I'm curious. You are fine with replacing
chips and and far as I
know, it is impossible to repair a non-functioning chip [1], since that
isn't part of the design parameters [2].
So, what exactly, is different with a modern board? It's not really
designed to be repaired, but replaced. What makes a chip okay to discard
(as a fix) and not a board? Is it the scale? Is it your belief that it
*should* be repairable? Because these days, an outfit like Google probably
doesn't even bother with board replacement---they replace the entire
computer (and heck, for all we know, they might replace entire *racks* at a
time).
I doubt that. I would guess that Google swaps in another computer (or
RACK), and and then sends the "bad" one to another room to be reworked to
use for the next swap.
Note: I do NOT have specific inside knowledge of where Google currently
draws the line, just assumptions about how they would make the decision
based on their cost(s)!
But, unlike any of us, the decision at Google would be entirely ECONOMIC.
Whick costs more: removal & disposal of old, ordering, buying, installing
a new one;
OR removal of old, repair, and reinstallation?
THAT is the determining factor.
Well, also, the relative reliability of current crappy assembly V
reliability of in-house (or contracted) repair.
I would guess that the situation there HAS crossed the line where
replacing a chip on a board is now more expensive for them than replacing
the board! How many of the same board to be reworked does it take for it
to be more economical to make on-board repairs?
How much larger does Google get before it becomes worth it for them to
establish their own [in China?] repair factory?
Whether you do the work yourself V hiring staff, and your personal
resources and abilities determines where that line ends up.
I'm not trying to denigrate your choice here,
Tony. I'm just curious as
to where you draw the line between "swap" and "repair."
Obviously, there are certain "natural" divisions where that line is likely
to fall.
[1] Okay, a pin falls off, it might be possible to
fix it. But if the
Magic Smoke is released, then all bets are off.
or "dremeling" a clock chip for a new battery?
[2] Even *if* you could get inside a chip, what
then? Even if the
"components" that make up a chip were large enough to view without a
microscope, the "components" are practically embedded in the
silicon.
It still seems possible, just not practical for any of us.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com