Forum Phones & Tablets Repair
Discussion Starter - #1 - 1 week ago

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me out with my Blackberry Bold 9780. It's started acting up, and I'm looking for a detailed service manual with boardviews and schematics to properly diagnose and repair it. I need to take precise voltage measurements around the board, so having the right documentation would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance for your help.


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I actually found that service manual on a tech Discord server a while back. A really helpful member there shared a direct link to their blog and I've saved it. I'm happy to pass it along here. Hopefully, these boardviews and schematics help you fix your phone, just like they got me through my repair. Looks like we have the same model.



>>>> Blackberry Bold 9780 maintenance guide & schematics (pdf + fz)

Good luck

Discussion Starter - #3 - 1 week ago

@Mazen

Absolute legend! That's exactly the info I was searching for. This is going to save me so much time probing in the dark. Seriously, thanks a ton for sharing the link!

Hi there,

I also have the Blackberry Bold 9780 and just downloaded the manual you shared. I'm pretty new to board-level phone repair, and this is a bit intimidating with all the tiny test points and the schematics. Could you point me in the right direction on how to start troubleshooting this ? Any advice on the first few things I should check would be a massive help.

Thanks so much for your time

General advices: start by checking the voltage at the battery connector on the board. With a known-good battery connected, you should see a steady voltage between 3.7V and 4.2V. After that, a great next step is to check the main power management IC (PMIC) for shorts. Using your multimeter in diode mode, check for shorts on the large input capacitors surrounding the PMIC.

Here are a few useful references for troubleshooting your device:
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/662313/iPhone+7+FMI+question
Take a look at comment #1695
Also, this : https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/345777/Why+is+my+iPhone+5s+not+turning+on+or+charging.
You can also check this video starting from minute 6:


The Blackberry Bold 9780 service manual and boardviews from the link above were exactly what I've been searching for. I couldn't find a complete, free copy anywhere else. Seriously, thank you for sharing this you're a lifesaver!

Hi everyone, I'm working on a Blackberry Bold 9780 with a no power issue and need some guidance with my measurements.
I'm detecting 3.3V on the VREG_MAIN line (pin 1 of the PMIC), which looks good, but I'm getting 0V on the VDD_CPU line (pin 8) where the schematics indicate I should see about 0.9V.
Since this is a core voltage for the application processor, could this missing rail be why the device shows no signs of life?
What's the best procedure to diagnose this further? Should I check for shorts on the CPU rail first, or look at the PMIC's enable signals?
I've already verified the main 3.3V and 1.8V power rails are present and stable.



emoji scratching head

My Blackberry Bold 9780 was working perfectly until yesterday when it suddenly went completely dead. Now it won't respond to the power button, doesn't vibrate, and shows no signs of life even when connected to a charger. I'm worried there might be a serious issue.

I have a decent multimeter, a basic soldering iron, and a healthy dose of patience. While I've successfully replaced iPhone batteries and charging ports, this will be my first attempt at actual diagnosis. The sheer density of BGA chips and microscopic components is honestly a bit overwhelming.

I'm particularly curious about the alcohol trick I've seen online where you apply isopropyl to the board and look for evaporation hotspots to locate shorts. Is this actually a reliable method for beginners, or are there better approaches I should try first with just a multimeter?

I learned this lesson the hard way last month with mine, it was declared "dead" by two different shops. The phone showed absolutely no signs of life - no charging indicator, no vibration, nothing. Before diving into complex board work, I decided to try one more basic test: wireless charging.

To my complete surprise, it actually heated up on the charging pad! This single discovery completely changed my diagnostic path. It turned out the issue wasn't with the main board or processor, but with the notoriously fragile USB-C port that had failed completely. A $15 replacement part and some careful soldering brought it back to life.

The moral? Always exhaust every external testing method before opening the device. Test wireless charging if available, try different charging methods, and don't assume the worst case scenario. Sometimes the most "dead" devices have the simplest solutions hiding in plain sight.

I suspect my issue might be related to that cheap, third-party fast charger I used at the airport last week... Now the device gets extremely hot during charging, the screen flickers at low brightness, and sometimes it randomly shuts down at 30% battery. Could this have damaged the power management IC or battery calibration?

If your Blackberry Bold 9780 starts acting up, random reboots, fast battery drain, or connectivity issues, there are several diagnostic steps you can take before assuming the worst:

  • Check your charging habits: Using poor-quality chargers or wireless pads can gradually damage your battery and charging circuit, leading to unpredictable behavior.
  • Inspect the physical components: A slightly damaged charging port, worn battery, or even accumulated pocket lint can cause issues that seem like major hardware failures.
  • Monitor temperature patterns: If your phone gets unusually hot during specific tasks (like camera use or gaming), it could point to a failing component rather than a software issue.
  • Use diagnostic tools wisely: Ampere for battery health, phone diagnostic codes (*#0*# on many models), and a thermal camera can reveal problems without opening the device.
  • Know when to stop: If you see liquid damage indicators tripped or smell burnt electronics, it's time to consult a professional before causing irreversible damage.

Also visit this link it may help : https://xdaforums.com/f/lg-l-bello-accessories.7200/

Here's what I discovered on forums and technical databases:

If a phone's motherboard is severely damaged (e.g., liquid damage, impact damage) but the eMMC/UFS memory chip itself is physically intact, a technician can desolder the memory chip from the damaged board and transplant it onto a donor motherboard (of the exact same model) or use specialized readers (e.g., eMMC/UFS programmers) to extract data directly. Symptoms of Failure: People can't hear you during calls, voice recorder apps pick up silence, voice assistants don't respond, or audio in videos is missing. Misusing customer data can lead to severe penalties, fines, and reputational damage. Clean the Device: Thoroughly clean the entire phone, especially the areas to be repaired, with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Power Off Your Phone Completely: Hold the power button and follow the on-screen prompts. These error codes, often accompanied by messages like "The iPhone could not be updated/restored," are typically numeric and point to a wide range of underlying issues, from simple connectivity problems to complex hardware malfunctions. They are typically thin, often black or white, and run along the frame or beneath other components, connecting the main board to antenna modules (often integrated into the frame, speaker housings, or daughterboards). A weak Wi-Fi signal on your smartphone can be an incredibly frustrating issue, leading to slow internet speeds, frequent disconnections, and difficulty in streaming or downloading content. It houses the CPU, memory, storage, and various other integrated circuits that make the device function. The issue might be with the audio IC on the motherboard, not the microphone flex (more advanced repair). A fault in any of these components or their connections can present as a "DAC fault" to the user. Eye Protection: Wear safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from corrosive liquids, fumes, or potential shrapnel in case of fire/explosion. A malfunctioning power button can be a major inconvenience, but by following a systematic diagnosis and repair process, you can often restore full functionality to your smartphone. Bridging a broken trace is one of the most satisfying repairs in micro-soldering. Disassemble Phone: Carefully open the smartphone and remove the motherboard from the housing. By bringing the entire board to a controlled elevated temperature, the sudden temperature gradient experienced by the component being worked on is minimized, thereby reducing the risk of thermal shock and collateral damage to neighboring, sensitive components. Extreme cold can also temporarily affect battery performance and screen responsiveness. If using liquid adhesive, allow adequate curing time, typically 15-30 minutes before proceeding with reassembly, though full cure can take hours. Capacitors are very common culprits, but sometimes it's a small IC or a resistor. Short Circuits: Less common, but a damaged via could short to an adjacent layer if metal debris is present. Do not spread it manually; the pressure from reassembly will spread it evenly. Microscopes are highly recommended for thorough inspection, allowing for higher magnification and clear visual documentation. Record the repair details, components replaced, and the outcome of the final testing checklist. Remove Any Securing Screws/Brackets: The loudspeaker is typically secured by several small Phillips or Tri-point screws and might have a metal bracket covering it. Navigating this tightrope requires clear communication, strict ethical protocols, and a steadfast commitment to customer privacy. Wear and Tear: Over time, the plastic can become scratched, scuffed, or discolored from daily use. If the gyroscopes/accelerometers used for motion detection are faulty or if the EIS software is buggy, it can lead to ineffective stabilization or even introduce artifacts. Disassembling and repairing a folding smartphone is not merely an extension of traditional smartphone repair; it demands extreme patience, specialized tools, and an acute awareness of unique failure points. Restart the Smartphone: A simple reboot can often clear temporary software glitches that might be interfering with power management. It typically has its own dedicated firmware (known as modem firmware) and often its own power management IC (Baseband PMIC) and crystal oscillator for precise timing.

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