Hacking the Xbox

Chapter 1 - Voiding the Warranty 17
gently pulling up on the case. If there are multiple tabs like this, insert a
wedge of some kind, such as another screwdriver or a paperclip, to
prevent the tab from re-engaging as you open the other tabs.
If the cover or panel refuses to move even slightly when you apply firm
pressure, it may also be attached with adhesive or it may even be welded
shut. For example, “wall-wart” power supplies (the square black boxes
that you plug directly into wall outlets) are often sealed in such a fashion.
Taking such a piece of equipment apart may mean you’ll never be able to
get it back together into its original form.
Tools to Attach and Remove Components
Electronic components are attached to boards by soldering. When soldering,
a low-melting-point alloy known as solder is heated and flowed
around the metals to be joined. The solder and the metals form a local
alloy. Once the joint cools, the components are electrically and mechanically
connected.
The basic tools for soldering are a soldering iron, solder, flux, and
desoldering braid. (A pair of fine-tipped tweezers is also quite handy for
jobs that involve fine-pitch components or small parts.) A soldering iron
is a hand-held tool that consists of a heating element and a tip; the tip is
used to melt solder alloys through conduction or direct contact, unlike
other tools that use hot gases or intense infra-red radiation. The kind of
soldering iron tip required for optimal heat transfer depends upon the
situation. For example, a flattened “chisel” or “conical chisel” tip will
perform better than a simple pointed tip when soldering most small
surface mount components.
There are also many grades of soldering irons. The cheapest ones cost
around ten dollars and come with large, unwieldy tips and have no
temperature control; they just get as hot as they can. Better soldering
irons cost more and have a sensor that actively regulates the tip’s temperature.
Temperature regulation makes the tool’s action more consistent,
and extends the life of the tip. Better irons also come with a wider
selection of tips that may include very fine ones, suitable for working with
the tiny components found in most electronics today. For light use, a
quality direct-plug soldering iron with a good tip is sufficient. However,
if you plan on building boards and really getting into hardware hacking, a
hundred dollars for a quality temperature-controlled soldering iron such
as the Weller WTCPT or the Weller WES50 is well worth the investment.
Solders come in a wide variety. For most purposes, a eutectic Pb-Sn alloy
solder wire with a no-clean or water-cleanable flux core is sufficient.
Eutectic alloys are desirable because they go directly from a liquid phase
to a homogenous solid. Kester is a major manufacturer of solders; their
standard cored wire solders, Formula 245 and 331, are both pretty good.
Formula 245 uses a no-clean flux, but if you like, you can use a cotton
swab with some isopropyl alcohol to remove the residue. Formula 331