Finding someone local who can solder...

[fustercluck]

semi-illegally - Got a "friend" who got a modchip (Wiikey) for "his" Nintendo Wii. He sucks at soldering though, his hands are too big and shaky and he doesn't have the right equipment anyways. He's having trouble finding someone locally who can do it. I'm sure there are people around who are used to this kinda stuff, but how to find them I don't know. He tried Craigslist, and that was probably a bad idea. Didn't get any replies. Need to find someone (in Tucson) who's skilled when it comes to soldering and knows what they are doing, but since modchipping consoles is on the illegal side, it will probably be really hard to find someone. Even if it was 100% legal it would probably still be hard to find someone to do it.

 

[tasmanian]

Maybe what your looking for?

 

[BlackTigers]

How is chipping a console you own illegal? As long as you don't try to RMA it or play online, is it really that ilelgal to mod something that you own?

 

[SleepWalkerX]

According to the DMCA its illegal when the mod's only purpose is to circumvent a work's copy protection. So that's why modchips aren't shipped with a hacked BIOS. Chipping your console is legal afaik (I think the law mainly targets the producers).

 

[KK]

try a tv repair shop.

 

[SleepWalkerX]

Or craigslist

 

[George P Burdell]

Ask a EE/CompE major at the nearest college.

 

[fustercluck]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[summit]

send me your wii i'll do it

 

[fustercluck]

holy crap the modchip is tiny, smaller than my big toe. Any other ideas on how to find someone who could solder it?

 

[razor2025]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
Ask a EE/CompE major at the nearest college.

This is pretty much your best option. Give the kid a beer/dinner for his time.

*My CompE roommate soldered my Wiikey for me for free, but then again we're friends.

 

[PottedMeat]

Seriously it's not that hard. Find a old piece of electronics you don't need and practice melting the solder, seeing when it melts, how long it takes to get damaged, etc.

Use one hand to steady the other, or keep the pinky side of your hand on a hard surface.

 

[fatpat268]

I've soldered many modchips in my past, but I waaaaaaay overestimated the size of the wiikey. When I got it in the mail I was totally shocked how small it was. I have big fat fingers that love to shake when I start soldering, which isn't a big deal when you're soldering something you can see. I had to break out the magnifying glass just to see something, and even then I had a hell of a time installing it.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Seriously it's not that hard.

Seriously, it is

What the heck is an EE/CompE major?

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: ropeadope

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Seriously it's not that hard.

Seriously, it is

What the heck is an EE/CompE major?

Some one who is majoring in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering?

 

[SirStev0]

Originally posted by: George P Burdell
Ask a EE/CompE major at the nearest college.

Exactly...

We had a guy at Penn State who would rebuild NES's.... They are a great source for cheap yet great work...

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

Originally posted by: ropeadope

Originally posted by: PottedMeat
Seriously it's not that hard.

Seriously, it is

What the heck is an EE/CompE major?

Some one who is majoring in Electrical and/or Computer Engineering?

Are you guessing or telling?

How would I get in contact with such a person?

Thanks for the info.

 

[Martin]

Why couldn't he find someone on craigslist? On Toronto's CL, they sell Wiis already modded, so I'd imagine it would be very easy to find someone to do it.

 

[fustercluck]

I wasn't sure where to post it on craigslist exactly. I put in the for sale section under games. I'll probably try other things mentioned anyways though.

 

[fustercluck]

bump


How would I get in contact with an EE/CompE major? Any other suggestions?

 

[fustercluck]

last bump

 

[rockyct]

Originally posted by: ropeadope
bump


How would I get in contact with an EE/CompE major? Any other suggestions?

You mean how would your "friend" get in contact with an EE/CompE major.

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: rockyct

Originally posted by: ropeadope
bump


How would I get in contact with an EE/CompE major? Any other suggestions?

You mean how would your "friend" get in contact with an EE/CompE major.

Heh, maybe I'm calling for him?

I guess there's no need to be real secretive about it.