📖 User manual

How to use the Chip-Level Repair Lab, step by step: from a photo of a dead board to a found fault, a replaced part, a printed report and a job that every computer and phone in your shop can open.

1 · What the lab does

The lab is one web page for chip-level repair of laptop and desktop motherboards, SATA SSDs, NVMe SSDs, RAM modules and hard drives (HDD). It gives you four things:

2 · Quick start (10 steps)

1. Open chiplevel.sungcomputers.com and press the 📷 Diagnose tab.
2. Choose the Device type. Type the Brand, Model number and Board / PCB number (printed on the board, e.g. LA-K091P, 2060-771640-003).
3. Write the Complaint in your own words, or tap the quick buttons (No power, Not detected…). Add what you already tried.
4. Press 📷 Take or upload photos: the whole board, both sides, then close-ups of the chips and any burnt or corroded area. On a phone this opens the camera.
5. Press 🧠 Scan photo for chips. Each chip gets a label on the photo and a card below with what it is and how to test it. If the lab says “This photo looks like an HDD … Switch to HDD”, press Switch.
6. Press 🔎 Guided check (offline) and click the complaint that matches best.
7. Follow the step cards in order: 👁 look → ⏻ power OFF → ⚡ power ON. Type each meter reading. The lab shows looks OK or looks WRONG. Press Enter or ✔ / ✘.
8. A wrong reading opens ➡ Means / next. When you are sure, press 🎯 This is the fault.
9. Replace the part. Press ➕ Add to parts replaced, then do the 🔧 Repair & verify step.
10. Press ☁ Save to server (all shop devices) or 💾 Save job (this browser), then 🧾 Print report for the customer.

3 · The Diagnose screen

The screen has two columns on a computer (one column on a phone). This map shows where everything is:

3.1 · Job details and parts replaced

3.2 · Photos, views and 3D

• Up to 8 photos per job: drag & drop, paste with Ctrl+V, or use the camera on a phone. Click a thumbnail to view it; ✕ removes it.
• Views: 📷 Photo, 🟦 Blueprint tint, and 📐 Blueprint trace (an edge drawing that makes traces, pads and cracks easier to follow).
• 🧊 3D tilt: drag the photo to turn the board in 3D. Press it again to go back to flat. You need flat view to mark points or read chips.
• 📍 Mark test points: click the photo to add TP1, TP2…, then type what is there, e.g. PL1 output, PQ3 drain, TVS 5V, U12. Good labels help the animation find the steps on your photo. They also go into the AI prompt and the report.
• Saved photos are made smaller (max 1568 px). The chip reader uses the full-size photo while the page is open, so scan right after uploading.

3.3 · Chip reader (model and chip details from a real photo)

Each chip card shows

• The chip name and its job on the board (e.g. Marvell 88i-series — HDD controller, ST “SMOOTH” L72xx — spindle + VCM motor driver).
• Marking: you can edit it. Press 🔎 Look up after typing the real marking. 📍 Show on photo blinks its position. ✕ removes the card.
• How to check it: rails, diode-mode values, crystal checks. Typical fault and a 💡 tip.
• ➕ Add these checks to my session adds the chip's tests to your step cards.
• 🤖 Ask AI about this chip: one button for each free AI. It copies a ready question and opens the AI website.
• 📄 Datasheet links (Google, alldatasheet) to find the pinout and the rail voltages.
• Chips that are not in the library get a card with “The reader saw: …”. Type the real marking, then use Ask AI or the datasheet.

The library has about 45 chips and chip families: HDD controllers, motor drivers, ROM/SPI flash, TVS diodes, SSD controllers (Phison, Silicon Motion, Samsung, Realtek, Maxio, InnoGrit, Marvell), NAND, DRAM, DDR5 PMIC and SPD hub, laptop chargers (TI BQ, Renesas ISL), 3V/5V PWM, EC/KBC (ITE, ENE, Nuvoton, Microchip), VRM controllers, USB-C PD, MOSFETs, load switches, codecs, LAN, crystals, GPU and CPU/PCH. It also knows WD and Seagate PCB numbers and laptop board numbers.

3.4 · Guided check (offline)

🔎 Guided check (offline) compares your complaint with the library (71 complaint types for the 6 device types) and lists the best matches. Click one to start. The lab also adds the main rails of that board type, so you get complete power-OFF and power-ON lists. No internet is needed.

Each step card shows the meter mode (→| diode, Ω, V⎓, A, 👁 look, 🛠 tool, 🔥 inject), where to probe, the Good value and a box for your reading. 📐 Show on blueprint opens the practice board at that part.

How to type readings

Press Enter to accept the automatic verdict, or press ✔ OK / ✘ Wrong / Skip yourself. A wrong reading opens ➡ Means / next with the usual culprits. When you find it, press 🎯 This is the fault. The fault card gives the repair steps. ↺ Not fixed — keep checking goes back to the list.

3.5 · Free AI (no API key, no cost) and sign-in

1. Press 🆓 Free AI. Press 📋 Copy prompt. The prompt has the device, model, complaint, history, your test points, the chips found and the parts replaced.
2. Press an AI button. It copies the prompt again and opens the website. Paste with Ctrl+V, attach your board photos with 📎 or + in the same order, and press Send. ⬇ Save my photos downloads the photos if they are not on this device.
3. When the AI answers, press the copy button under its reply. Come back, paste it in the box and press ✔ Show as step-by-step checks.
4. Measure, type your readings, then press 🆓 Send my readings to a free AI → next steps for round 2, 3… until the fault is found.

• Sign in once per browser: open 🔐 Sign in to your free AI accounts inside the Free AI panel. Press 🔐 Sign in next to each AI and sign in on its own website with your email, Google or Microsoft account. The lab never sees your passwords.
• ⭐ Default AI: pick your favourite in the same table. It is shown first everywhere.
• Free plans have daily limits. If one AI says “limit reached”, use another one.
• “No JSON found”: ask the AI Reply with the JSON code block only, then copy again. If you typed the complaint into the reply box by mistake, the lab moves it to the Complaint box for you.
• The paid 🤖 AI analyse photos (API) button is hidden. You only need it if you add your own Anthropic API key on the server (see the Admin guide).

3.6 · Animate the checks on your photo (2D / 3D)

▶ Animate checks on photo plays the step list on your own board photo. A pulsing ring marks the spot and the red and black probes move to where they go:

• V⎓ steps (board ON): black probe on GND, red probe on the point.
• →| and Ω steps (board OFF): red probe on GND, black probe on the point (the diode-to-ground method).
• The caption shows the step number, the meter mode, how to hold the probes and the good value. The matching step card is highlighted.
• Controls: ⏮ previous · ⏸ / ▶ pause / play · ⏭ next · ✕ Stop. Use 🧊 3D tilt to look at the board from an angle.
• The lab places a step on the photo by matching the step's words with chip cards (e.g. “motor driver”) and test-point labels (e.g. “TVS”, “PL1”). If a step says (not on this photo), add a 📍 test point with that name.
• The “GND” label on the photo is a symbol only. Use a real ground: a screw hole, a USB/SATA shell, a connector GND pin, or the minus side of a big capacitor.

3.7 · Jobs, report and backup

3.8 · Server sync: connect all your shop computers and phones

1. Once, as admin: set your own app_pin in api/config.php on the server (see Admin → Turn on server sync).
2. On every computer and phone: 📷 Diagnose → ⚙ Settings → Access PIN = the same PIN → Save settings. It is stored only in that browser.
3. Press ☁ Save to server on one device. On another device press ☁ Server jobs → Open.

• Saving the same job again updates it. The last save wins, so finish on one device before you continue on another.
• Delete in Server jobs removes the job for everyone.
• Anyone with the PIN can open all server jobs, including customer names and photos. Share it only with your staff.

4 · Meter quick reference and safety

Range scaling on a 3½-digit manual meter

The display can show up to 1999. A “1” on the left means over range: turn the dial to the next higher range. Use the lowest range that does not overload. Example: a 10 kΩ resistor shows 1 on 2k, 10.00 on 20k (best), 10.0 on 200k.

Bench power supply current — laptop at 19–20 V

These are typical values. Your board may differ: compare with a known-good board when you can.

5 · “No power”: what to check first, by device

The guided check covers all of this and much more (71 complaint types). Use these lists as a quick reminder on the bench.

💻 Laptop motherboard — follow the power sequence

1. Adapter / USB-C 19–20 V at the plug. USB-C gives 5 V until it negotiates, then 15–20 V. Only 5 V → check CC lines and the PD controller.
2. Input line (DCIN / VIN) to GND, diode mode ≈0.3–0.6. 0.000 = short: input capacitors, protection MOSFETs, charger IC.
3. Protection MOSFETs + charger IC → system rail (B+) ≈ adapter voltage (or battery 11–13 V).
4. Always-on rails 3VALW / 5VALW 3.3 V / 5 V from the 3V/5V PWM. Missing → enable pin, PWM IC, short on the rail. RTC ≈3 V.
5. EC / KBC alive 3.3 V. Power-button line ≈3.3 V and drops to 0 V when pressed.
6. After the power button (S5 → S0): PCH / SoC 1.8 V · 1.0–1.05 V.
7. Memory VDDQ DDR3L 1.35 · DDR4 1.2 · DDR5/LPDDR4x/LPDDR5 1.1 V. VTT = half of VDDQ on DDR3/DDR4.
8. CPU core VCCIN ≈1.8 V (older Intel) · VCORE ≈0.6–1.3 V. It appears only after all enables, then the GPU rails.
9. BIOS and RAM: all rails OK but no display → reprogram the BIOS (8-pin SPI; many newer boards use 1.8 V chips), test RAM, check the display path.

🖥 Desktop motherboard

• PSU first: purple 5VSB 5 V when plugged in. Connect green PS_ON to a black GND wire to switch it on: yellow 12 V, red 5 V, orange 3.3 V, grey PWR_OK ≈5 V.
• Board OFF: diode / Ω to GND on the 24-pin (12 V, 5 V, 3.3 V, 5VSB) and the 4/8-pin CPU 12 V. Short on CPU 12 V → VRM high-side MOSFET. Short on VCORE → low-side MOSFET or the CPU (remove the CPU and measure again).
• Standby: 5VSB → 3VSB, PCH ≈1.0–1.05 V, RTC 3 V, power-switch pins on the front-panel header (short them with a screwdriver to test). Clear CMOS.
• After power-on: VDDQ (DDR4 1.2 V; DDR5 boards send 5 V to the DIMM, which makes its own 1.1 V), VCCSA / VCCIO, VCORE. Use the Q-code LEDs or a POST card to see where it stops.

🧩 SATA SSD

• SATA power pins: 1–3 = 3.3 V, 7–9 = 5 V, 13–15 = 12 V, the rest GND. Most 2.5″ SSDs use only 5 V.
• Diode / Ω to GND on the 5 V input: a short is usually the TVS, an input capacitor or the PMIC.
• Continuity through the input fuse / coil.
• PMIC outputs: NAND VCC 3.3 V (some 2.5 V), VCCQ 1.8 V or 1.2 V, controller core ≈0.9–1.2 V, DRAM 1.35 / 1.2 / 1.1 V if it has DRAM. Crystal running (often 25 or 40 MHz).
• Detected as SATAFIRM S11, 0 GB or a wrong name = firmware / FTL problem, not power. Do not erase it if the customer needs the data.

⚡ NVMe SSD

• 3.3 V from the M.2 slot (pins 2, 4, 12, 14, 16, 18, 70, 72, 74). Test on a USB M.2 adapter with a USB current meter.
• Diode to GND on the 3.3 V input. 0.000 is very often a shorted input capacitor. Inject 3.3 V or less with a current limit and find the warm part.
• PMIC outputs: controller core ≈0.8–1.0 V, VCCQ 1.2 V (or 1.8 V), NAND VCC 2.5 V or 3.3 V, DRAM 1.2 / 1.1 V.
• Detected but 0 bytes / “not ready” = firmware or FTL → data recovery tools.

🧠 RAM module (no POST / not detected)

• Look: dirty or burnt gold fingers, missing or cracked capacitors and resistor arrays. Clean the fingers.
• Diode to GND on the VDD pins, compared with a good module of the same type. 0.000 = shorted capacitor or DRAM chip.
• Voltages in a working board: DDR3 1.5 V (DDR3L 1.35 V), VTT 0.75 V · DDR4 VDD 1.2 V, VPP 2.5 V, VTT 0.6 V · DDR5: 5 V into the module's PMIC → VDD / VDDQ 1.1 V, VPP 1.8 V.
• A wrong size or not detected can be a corrupted SPD chip.

💽 HDD (dead, no spin)

• Listen first: silent = board / power. Spins and clicks = heads or firmware. Buzzing = stuck heads or seized motor. Clicking and buzzing drives go to a data-recovery lab: do not open them.
• Power: 5 V (pins 7–9) and 12 V (pins 13–15) on 3.5″ drives. 2.5″ drives use only 5 V.
• TVS diodes beside the power connector (5 V ≈ SMAJ5.0A type, 12 V ≈ SMAJ12A type): 0 Ω to GND = shorted TVS, the classic fault after a wrong or bad PSU. Remove the shorted TVS, test, and fit a new one before you return the drive.
• Some boards have a fuse or 0 Ω resistor after the TVS: check continuity.
• Motor driver (e.g. ST “SMOOTH” L72xx): diode to GND on the three motor phases should be nearly equal. 0 Ω on 5 V or 12 V, or between phases = shorted driver.
• Spindle motor: resistance between the three motor pads, all pairs nearly equal (a few ohms). One pair open or very different = motor fault → data recovery.
• Board swap: the donor board needs the same PCB number, and you must move the ROM (the 8-pin chip, or the data inside the controller). Without the ROM the drive will click or not be detected.

6 · The other tabs

7 · Tools to buy

MUST start here · NEXT as the shop grows · ADVANCED specialist work

8 · Spare parts to stock

9 · Admin guide (for the system admin)

9.1 · What is on the server

public_html/                       https://chiplevel.sungcomputers.com/
├── index.html                     the lab (this app)
├── manual.html                    this manual
├── chiplevel-repair-guide.html    the printable text guide
└── api/
    ├── .htaccess                  blocks config, composer files, vendor/ and data/ from the web
    ├── config.php                 YOUR settings: app_pin (+ optional API key) — never share it
    ├── config.sample.php          template with comments
    ├── jobs.php                   ☁ server sync (shared jobs)
    ├── diagnose.php               optional paid AI (needs your own Anthropic API key)
    ├── composer.json / .lock
    ├── vendor/                    PHP libraries for diagnose.php
    └── data/                      created automatically
        ├── jobs/<JOB-ID>.json     synced jobs (with photos)
        ├── pinfail.json           wrong-PIN counter
        └── ratelimit.json         paid-AI request counter

The lab lives only in the subdomain's folder. Your main shop website (sungcomputers.com) and its files are separate: never edit them for the lab.

9.2 · Turn on server sync (once)

1. hPanel → Websites → chiplevel.sungcomputers.com → File manager → public_html/api/config.php → Edit.
2. Change 'app_pin' => 'change-this-pin', to your own PIN: 6 or more letters and numbers. Do not use 1234, 0000 or the example. Save.
3. On each shop computer and phone: lab → 📷 Diagnose → ⚙ Settings → Access PIN → Save settings.
4. Test: press ☁ Server jobs. “☁ 0 job(s) on the server.” means it works.

Lost a phone, or a staff member left? Change app_pin, then type the new PIN on the other devices.

9.3 · Update the lab

1. File manager → public_html → Upload the new index.html (and manual.html). Choose Replace when asked.
2. Open the site and press Ctrl+F5. If the old version still shows, flush the Hostinger CDN cache in hPanel (if the CDN is on).

9.4 · Backups

• Server jobs: File manager → public_html/api/data/jobs → select all → Compress → download the zip. Do it every week.
• One job: ⬇ Export in the lab (a .json file with photos).
• Jobs saved with 💾 live only in that browser. Clearing browser data deletes them. Use ☁ Save to server for anything important.
• Hostinger also keeps automatic backups (hPanel → Files → Backups), depending on your plan.

9.5 · Security checklist

• https://chiplevel.sungcomputers.com/api/config.php must show 403 Forbidden or a blank page, never its content.
• …/api/data/jobs/ and …/api/vendor/ must show 404.
• The server blocks a network for one hour after 20 wrong PINs.
• Anyone with the PIN can read every server job. Keep personal customer data to the Customer field, which never goes to the AI.
• Keep HTTPS on (hPanel → Security → SSL). Phones need it for the camera upload.

9.6 · Optional: paid AI button (Anthropic API)

Not needed for 🆓 Free AI. If you want photo analysis directly inside the lab: create an API key at console.anthropic.com (with billing), put it in 'anthropic_api_key' in api/config.php yourself, then tick Show the paid 🤖 API button in ⚙ Settings. It uses the same Access PIN. Each analysis costs a few cents; set a monthly spend limit in the console. Never paste the key into a chat, an email or the lab page.

9.7 · Add chips to the library

Open index.html in a text editor (Notepad++ or VS Code), search for const CHIPDB=[ and add a line like this inside the list, then upload the file:

 {re:/\bASM\d{4}\b|ASMEDIA/,n:'ASMedia ASMxxxx',t:'ASMedia',k:'USB / SATA / PCIe bridge',
  dev:['desktop','laptop','ssd','nvme'],kw:'usb bridge asmedia',
  role:'USB 3.x host or USB-to-SATA/NVMe bridge chip.',
  test:['3.3 V and core ≈1.0–1.2 V supplies','Crystal oscillating'],
  fail:'Damaged by static or a shorted USB port.',tip:'Check the USB power switch and fuse first.'},

9.8 · What needs internet

• Works offline once the page is open: practice boards, meter, complaint library, guided checks, reports, jobs saved in the browser.
• Needs internet: the chip reader (first use downloads the reading engine from cdn.jsdelivr.net), Free AI, datasheet links, server sync and the paid AI.

10 · Troubleshooting

11 · Limits — read this

• The chip reader reads clear, flat markings. Blur, glare, tiny laser-etched text and partly covered chips can fail: type the marking yourself.
• The library has the common chips and the common faults. For anything else, use Ask AI, the datasheet, the schematic and the boardview.
• Voltages and diode values are typical. Boards differ: compare with a known-good board whenever you can.
• AI answers can be wrong. The meter decides.
• Never power a shorted board without a current limit. Never open a hard drive outside a clean room.

12 · Glossary