Good Grief...!!!

There are novice engineers out there who have such unrealistic perceptions about PCB-RE and hardware design it really makes one wonder if they got their fundamentals right about electronics. Just yesterday, I received an email from someone (I won't put his name to save him the embarrassment) asking about reverse engineering and copyright infringement. A sleuth of exchanges ensued until I realize it's going nowhere and have to put a stop to it:

X: Is it possible to reverse engineer circuit boards to avoid patent infringement? For example to produce a device that does the same thing but is structured differently? Is it easy? For example is there a computer program that can rework a circuit board? 

Me: Reverse engineering circuit boards to learn how a product works for personal knowledge should not infringe on patents. Neither if it’s done to help in daily repair work, for personal use. But if it’s to produce a competitive product, then it’s subject to the other party’s legal jurisdictions. Whether reverse engineering is easy or not depends on the nature of the PCB. Of course, experience and skill play a part. There is no software-only solution to reversing circuit boards. You’ll need a hardware-software combo to do the job, either semi- or fully automated.

X: I want to reengineer products already available in the market. Is it possible to take a PCB and make it different but to do the same thing with different components, by using software that will give a combination of components that do the same thing?

Me: I’m not sure what you mean by ‘using software that will give a combination of components that do the same thing.’ Are you referring to simulation software? Like I say, reengineering existing products has its grey area and is subject to legal jurisdiction from rival companies. You need to tread carefully.

X: Basically taking a rival company. Taking their product, making a PCB schema from their circuit board, plugging it into software, pressing a button and have a new schema that does the same thing except with a different schema. Is that possible?

Me: No.

X: So how do they do it when they take rival products? 

Me: There is no such thing as a magical software that thinks, analyzes and designs an alternative circuit based on an existing one. If there is, all design engineers will be out of job. And it’s impossible anyway, so stop looking for an easy way out. All well-designed products are carefully thought out and implemented using a baseline that undergoes multiple refinements. That’s why it takes a team of hardware and firmware engineers to work together.

Consider this thread close as further discussion on this matter is futile. Thanks!

As good O' Charlie Brown would say, "Good grief...!!!" I rest my case...

Olympics Fever

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 finally went full swing after a one-year delay due to the global pandemic. We're into the second week of this international sports event and the Olympics fever has hit a high pitch as medals are snatched up in the various sports categories.

Only the fastest, strongest and most determined and disciplined sportsmen and sportswomen will attain the highest glory and honor in their fields of expertise and professionalism. It is the same in every engineering field, including PCB-RE, one of the hardest to master yet the most rewarding niche skill any engineer can ever dream of acquiring.

Look no further if you are one of those looking to make a splash in the engineering Olympics pool, or leave a blazing trail on the tracks of the Olympics circuit stadium. Below are all the resources you'll ever need to get you started on the road to glory:

    

Click on the images to go to the Amazon online bookstore to preview and order your copies. Catch the Olympics fever while it is still burning bright!

Distraction, Diversion...

In the midst of this worldwide pandemic, where social restrictions can put a toll on everyday life, people are getting stressed up handling work and family pressures at the same time, while working from home. As an author, I too feel the same sentiments and that can lead to writer's block that stamps out inspiration to write on a particular topic. I desperately needed a distraction or some kind of diversion.

Being the artistic type, I figured it would be good to immerse in a little design activity instead of just typing all day long on the keyboard, when my brain could not produce any meaningful narrative at the moment. So after the first attempt followed by a few refinements later, here it is:

I like drawing and designing a lot, which is why Visio is a life-saver and a delight to use. Of course, designing book covers is also one of the favorite part in my present writing endeavor. Hopefully, this book will materialize one day...

Amazon Ranking

Slightly over two weeks into its release, my fourth PCB-RE book has attained No. 1 New Release status in the Industrial Technology category:

There is really nothing to shout about as the real test is whether it can achieve a good Best Seller Ranking, which it currently is at 293,187 place for all books category. So, though it's nice to know that there is some semblance of success for my hard work, it's still too early to be elated.

My hope is that there will be good support from readers who show appreciation through honest purchase. It will not only be a strong affirmation for all the efforts I put in, but also a boost for the charities which I have in mind to contribute my royalty earnings to.

So grab a copy today and know that you're doing a kind deed in the process.

Setting Up A Workbench

Setting up an electronic lab like a commercial repair house is certainly out of the question unless you're prepared to fork out a fortune. But if you're thinking of doing PCB diagnostics on your own, you'll need a good set of basic but essential equipment:

• Digital Multimeter (DMM)
• SMD LCR Meter
• Adjustable Power Supplies
• Function Generator
• Mixed Signal Oscilloscope
• Multi-Protocol Adapter
• Universal Device Programmer
• Digital Microscope
• Soldering & Rework Station
• Hand Tools
• Anti-Static Mat & Wrist Strap

I reckon that most engineers will have at least 6-7 out of 11 of the above listed items, and the most meticulous ones will have all of them and more. There is no hard and fast rules to what type of models to procure but try not to go for the cheap ones with minimal functionalities if you can afford it. Good and reliable equipment will last longer and make your work a tat easier and more enjoyable, instead of unnecessary frustrations that may result in wrong diagnosis or wasted time and effort. Of course, you are expected to know how to use these tools and if you can utilize their full potentials, the better you will be at solving PCB defects.

Note:

The suggested list is meant for freelance engineers with their own workbenches. In my book, you will be introduced to other mid and high-end equipment used by repair centers for automated and more comprehensive testing. These are certainly out of reach of most self-employed engineers, but it is still advantageous to be aware and have some ideas how they operate. You never know when you may have the opportunity to work with them!

Email from the Danube

This morning, I was notified of an incoming email with the following message:

I found your books through the "Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast" and have to admit, that I first got a PDF off the internet on Saturday night, but after the first 30 pages, I quickly bought all your books, as I am totally stoked to get into hardware reverse engineering.

I am so glad I found your books and wanted to thank you for your work! Unfortunately, the Amazon package that arrived today did not contain the promised book but an HDMI adapter, guess I have to wait till Wednesday now for the replacement :-D

But thank you in advance and is there a mailing list or something to get notified when your fourth book arrives? As I also want to buy that.

So anyhow, I wish you all the best and will send a picture as soon as the trilogy arrives :-D

Now, I am aware that my books are available on some rogue websites that steal the hard work of book authors like myself. This is evident from the declining sales for the past few months. Frankly, there is nothing I can do about it. I'm not the only one who suffers the loss of income; the charities that I supported with part of my earnings bear the grunt as well. I had kept up with the donations despite the poor sales but had to painfully cut back to just one charity organization, the one that I have been supporting for the past 30 years. I'm sharing this just so my readers who honestly purchase my books know that they too are doing a good cause, and for those who obtained illegal copies at my expense that you have not only wrong me but many fellow humans who depended on the generosity of kind people.

This person had done the right thing which any human with a conscience would do. He is German, I suppose, from the email attachment provided. Every country has its dark history but that does not mean all the people there are bad or lack integrity. We cannot decide where we're born or the environment we're in, but we can choose to do as much good as we possibly can. There is a Chinese saying, "To come out of the dirty mud and still remain pure." It speaks of the lotus plant but allures to people of exceptional character and qualities even in the midst of dark times. I hope most of my readers are too!

You may be wondering why 'Danube'. Well, it's the second longest river in Europe that passes through the most countries, and has its origin from the Black Forest of Germany. Incidentally, black forest cake is my favorite and the ones made by German hands are the best. So let the best of your self shine in this blackest of times in the current pandemic!

Stay safe and be well, my friends.

Update: I received a photo of the books that this reader has purchased:

Update on New Book (Part 2)

A Holistic Approach

There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to PCB diagnostics; more often than not, it depends on what kind of PCB and failure you're up against. While there may be visible and obvious signs that point you to the source of a problem, such as a burnt or blown component, you shouldn't expect these as the norm. There are engineers who swear by a specific tool or technique that they claim to be as reliable as clockwork, but even that is no guarantee to work every time or fool-proof against any PCB. "Well, it's fine with me so long as I'm comfortable with the method of my choice." Sure. But why limit yourself if there are better and more effective ways to do a job? After all, if you intend to make repairing PCB a lifelong career or passion, it makes sense to learn as much as there is to learn about this trade, to seek continuous improvement and a whole new level of experience. This is what distinguishes a professional from an amateur, or a craftsman from a mere worker.

What I'm advocating in this book is a holistic approach to PCB diagnostics that is based on practical, real-life examples. This includes case studies from my own work experience using various tools and techniques, as well as that of some field engineer friends of mine who are generous enough to share their expertise. There is a Chinese saying, "It is not beyond one's dignity to learn from the wisdom of others." In a company of three we can always find a teacher who can endow new knowledge, or a master who can impart a useful skill. One of the most important trait of a good engineer is a willingness to be open to opportunities of learning to further enhance one's abilities. This is something that cannot be attained in a classroom, but only by emulating other good engineers.

Update on New Book (Part 1)

Am into writing the second chapter of my new book, PCB Diagnostics. Here is a screenshot of the opening chapter:

Nope, this is not a joke. I have intentionally linked PCB diagnostics to the practice of TCM for the human body because I see similarities between the two. I have friends who spent years studying this Chinese medicinal method and got to know firsthand what it entails to be a TCM physician. Inter-disciplinary cross examination can sometimes provide useful insights in our approach towards a familiar practice, and give it a new lease of life where the former luster has somehow faded.

The book will probably take a couple of months to write. I will post updates on the progress in the interim. Hopefully it will be worth the wait for my readers.

PCB Diagnostics

While my fourth and final book on PCB-RE is awaiting Joe Grand's Foreword, I have decided to write on a new topic: PCB Diagnostics. Why 'diagnostics' instead of 'troubleshooting', 'fault-finding' or 'repair'? Well, this word encompasses a much broader sense than the usual, and more accurately conveys what my thirty years of experience entails. Here is the front cover design:

Like PCB-RE, PCB diagnostics is a skill that is developed and refined overtime. Nothing can replace the knowledge and know-how of troubleshooting different types of PCBs. It requires not only hands on experience but in-depth exposure to a wide variety of faults to understand the dynamics involved.

I'm still in the initial phase of organizing my thoughts and materials. Once these are sorted out, I will be able to come out with a draft outline of the chapters to define what I want to write. Hopefully it will not take too long, barring any unforeseen interruption or situation arising.

Draft Copy (Proofing)

I've just completed the draft for my fourth and final book on the PCB-RE topic. Here's a snapshot of the front cover:

A draft copy has been sent to Joe Grand for vetting before he writes the Foreword. Currently, he's busy with an important project so I don't expect to get back from him any time soon. Here's what he has to say, though:

I haven't been able to read through it yet but it looks great! I'm in the middle of a pretty significant project for the next few weeks, and will only be able to focus on writing that Foreword after that.

Readers will probably see the book on Amazon store some time in late April, earliest. So keep a look out for it and check back on my blog for any latest news.

What's in a Label?

Most commercial ICs are labelled with their common part numbers in full on top of their packaging, so it's not too difficult to identify them at first glance. Military parts are a bit more tricky because most of the time they are designated with the 16-digit NSN references beginning with '5962'. This requires additional step of cross referencing to make out what they are.

In the case of NVidia's graphics processing unit (GPU) which is the highlight of my latest PCB-RE related book, I have deciphered the top plate label on this 820-pin monolithic IC:

Bet most readers didn't realize that there is so much information present on this piece of real estate. After all, it's meant for designers and manufacturers and not the casual users of the end product. Of course, you can expect to find even more interesting and valuable information in my upcoming book, which should debut sometime in late March this year.

The good news is it will be priced very affordably so every keen apprentice of this coveted skillset can get a personal copy. Keep a look out for it!

Progress Update (Fourth Book)

Recently, I started working on my fourth book again, Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials, after almost three months of inactivity. I've removed all nine BGA chips onboard, namely the eight DDR2 memory ICs and the main GPU. There were residue solder leftover on the footprints of these ICs but the 30W soldering iron wasn't good enough to do copper braid removal, and I had to order a separate 80W iron with adjustable temperature to do the job. Here is the final result:

In the process of removing the BGA chips and cleaning up, I encountered several issues with the tools and these were mentioned in the new book to help readers learn from my mistakes, and what to look out for when choosing the tools to do the job.

Now that I have these teething issues out of the way, I can resume where I left off in the last chapter. Hopefully, I can get the draft out by end February or latest mid-March, and let Joe Grand go through before penning the Foreword, which he has graciously agreed to.

A Young Apprentice in the Making...

Recently, someone by the name Jason Earle connected with me on LinkedIn to enquire about some reverse engineering work on his company's upcoming product. He is the CEO of MycoLab USA LLC, a company that specializes in air quality testing solution and services. To cut the story short, I helped him assessed a printed circuit board and reproduced a bill of materials (BOM), plus some simple PCB artwork prints as a good gesture.

He asked to reimburse me for my effort but I politely declined, and instead suggested that he get a copy of my book, The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering, to learn how to identify components on a PCB to create his own BOM. After a couple of days, he sent me a photo of himself proudly holding my book (the full-color version), and some time later, with another photo of his son:

I reckoned that little junior must've been attracted by the colors on the book cover, but I'm doubly sure that he will grow up to be a fine young apprentice of this niche skillset in 7-10 years time.

Way to go, young Skywalker! ;)

Bench Test Equipment

PCB-RE is not just about finding the connectivity of a circuit board to recreate its schematic diagram, though that is the primary focus. A lot goes into figuring out circuit topologies and functionalities to arrive at a logical deduction on how the components are related and used to achieve greater accuracy and reliability in the reversing process. Sometimes, it might even be necessary to go down to firmware level to see beyond the physical——into the world of logic programming and fuse mapping——when dealing with embedded designs and black boxes such as CPLDs and FPGAs. It might sound daunting but that's what separates the pros from the amateurs.

So while you only need a digital multimeter as a minimum  when doing manual PCB-RE, it is advantageous to have a few more bench test equipment on hand to help you gather useful data on the PCB you're working on. Three common pieces I can think of are:

• Function generator 
• Digital oscilloscope
• Multi-channel logic analyzer

These benchtop equipment used to be quite expensive and those made by Agilent, LeCroy, Rohde & Schwarz still are. More recently, new players from China such as Rigol and Owon are making a strong presence in the market with their range of affordable benchtop products that are feature-rich and functionally comparable to the big names. 

 

Latest Review from UK

It's been almost five years since my first book The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering was published. Still, I'm happy that there are occasional reviews from international readers who appreciate my work and giving me the much needed endorsement. Here's one from the UK this year:

This book is really informative, the Author really does explain things in detail. I am half-way through getting to grips with the Visio software. I’m looking forward to completing and purchasing the next book in the series.

For readers who have bought and read my books, I would love to hear from you too! Do leave a review and claim your bonuses. There are freebies for this book as well, in case you didn't know.

And if you find my books beneficial and useful, especially for those interested in this niche topic, do help to recommend and spread the word. I don't advertise as I believe part of the modest royalties earned is best devoted to charities, so if you buy my books you are doing a good work as well.

Take care and stay safe, my friends!

PCB-RE Probes

When performing PCB-RE to determine the connectivity between components on a PCB, a pair of sharp probes is essential if not indispensable. Most probes that come with a DMM is usually blunt and bulky, making it difficult to probe fine-pitch IC leads and SMD component pads. Working in the PCB testing lab, there is no shortage of spring-loaded probes of all tip types and sizes, so I would convert some of these and insert them as extension on my DMM's existing probes. It worked pretty well except that you need to DIY and custom-build them to your purpose.

With online shopping gaining popularity and many Chinese electronics companies joining the fray, you can find all sorts of PCB gadgetry and equipment at a fraction of the price, compared to the more branded ones in the industry. Recently, I bought a pair of sharp-tip probes online for less than five bucks:

It arrived in about two weeks time and I put it to the test. The quality is good and the gold-plated (or is it bronze?) sharp tips worked surprisingly well on the Gigabyte video card I was reversing on. Except that it's not spring-loaded like the test probes I used in my former lab.

Anyway, can't complain too much for that price and quality.

Microsoft Visio 2016

When I wrote my first engineering book on PCB-RE back in 2014-15, I was using Microsoft Visio 2007 for illustration. The current book which I'm writing will feature Visio 2016, which is a much improved and streamlined version. Here is a two-page sample:

Since coming across Visio twenty years ago when it was sold by Shapeware, I have never looked back or considered any other drafting tool for my work. As far as I'm concern, Visio is still the best 2D CAD program for its ease of use and powerful features. And I'm sure my readers would readily agree after going through those beautifully created diagrams found in my PCB-RE trilogy books.

If you have not tried it, I suggest that you download an evaluation copy from the Microsoft site and give it a go. You'll not regret it.

PCB-RE Preparation Checklist

There are things that often bear repetition. This is especially true if you are doing PCB reverse engineering which requires not just the skillset but also the supporting information and trade tools. As I mentioned in The Art of PCB-RE, there are four basic consideration when beginning a PCB-RE project:

1. Accessibility of the probe points
2. Bill of Materials
3. Conformal coating
4. Datasheets

I termed them the ABCD of PCB-RE preparation work which in a nutshell summarizes the key areas to help you decide whether to proceed or call off the attempt. Of course, as most readers would realize, there are more to the above involved in real-world PCB-RE practice. This is just the appetizer, not the main dish. Nevertheless, it is still an important serve.

Perhaps there are those who work best with a kind of standard checklist. Well, your wish is granted! I've just completed the chapter on preparation work for my upcoming book, Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials and included the following checklist:

I'm releasing it here for the benefit of my readers and hopefully it will be useful for your PCB-RE preparation work just as it did for me. It's free for personal use but if you intend to put it in your article or blog, please respect an author's copyright and either make mention of the source or include a link to this post.

Take care and stay safe, my readers.

Some Statistics

This blog began in February of 2017. Less than four years into its run, it has garnered over 24,000 views by readers from 117 countries worldwide. That's exactly 60% of the countries in the world based on the 195 figure given by Wikipedia. Of these countries, the top 10 have over 100 readers and the leader, which is US, has over 1000.

It would be nice to have more engineers interested in this niche topic visiting and finding information that will help them in their PCB-RE journey. This can only happen if current readers help spread the word in electronic forums and social media to create greater awareness.

With the current CoVid-19 situation and many staying and working from home, perhaps it's a good way to spend time reading up on this subject and preparing yourself with a new skillset that will prove invaluable to your career when the lockdown or restriction is finally lifted.

Think about it and invest your time wisely, my friends.

Preface to Book IV

Since completing the trilogy to the PCB-RE subject, I had thought that my mission in writing this niche topic is done. The idea of a fourth book, an essential guide to the manual PCB-RE approach, was hatched in the midst of writing my third book, but I shoved it aside due to other commitments. It was only during the CoVid-19 circuit breaker period that had given me the time to re-visit it and pondered over a suitable candidate for the book.

Here is the preface to book 4:

Manual PCB-RE was given a basic treatment in my first book, The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering, using a simple network adapter card to illustrate the steps involved using Microsoft Visio 2007. Besides the detailed instructions on how to create the layout and schematic diagrams, there is also a chapter on Advanced techniques to tap into the power of Visio's Smartshapes.

In the trilogy, PCB-RE: Real-World Examples, I showcased a more complex board that is through-hole with some SMD components, applying the mixed-signal methodology to solve the connectivity puzzle and produce a complete 3-page schematic diagram. This, along with other practical examples, should be enough to get readers new to PCB-RE to a fresh start.

However, I am aware that there are those who just want a no-frills guide to quickly launch them into the deep waters, with the essential know-how to handle surface mount PCBs with all the trappings and real challenges these boards present. After looking into my inventory, I came upon and decided on an Nvidia GeForce 8600GT graphics board which has all the making of an interesting PCB-RE project to work on.

It's by no means an easy PCB but I thought why not give it a try and re-live some of the good moments I had? So here I am, spending at least 3-4 hours a day with this graphics card in front of me while typing away on my keyboard, and drawing the illustrations using Visio 2016. The good news is, I have just completed three out of the five chapters outlined in my preface, including a smashing great chapter on the layout diagram. The fourth chapter is currently in the works but the real challenge will be to reverse engineer the board itself, which I foresee will take up more time and effort than the other chapters put together.

Of course, there will be two introductory chapters that cover the tools of the trade as well as knowledge and skillsets of PCB-RE, additional resources to enable an apprentice to go further, and also tons of information in the appendices for reference. So stay tune and look out for more news.

Charity vs Piracy

It is a sad fact that book piracy is rampant and unstoppable in this internet age. Illegal downloading of books might not cost the person downloading them or the scumbag who stole the content in the first place, but it costs the one person who should really be rewarded for his or her months of hard work, the author.

Increasingly, though, it seems that those who are looking for free copies of pirated books are falling victims to phishing scam sites that ask gullible users to hand over their credit card information before proceeding to download their ostensibly free copies. It begs the question: is it worth the risk and trouble just to 'steal' a meager amount from a hardworking full-time author who spent so much time and effort to produce a book?

Granted, there are authors who made millions from their best-selling titles; but these are the rare breed amongst the sea of writers, many of whom are driven by a desire to share their valuable knowledge and invaluable experience through printed materials or electronic mediums. Surely they deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, not plundered and deprived of their means to keep them writing.

For me, being an indie author, I have stated before that a percentage of my book's earnings (which is not really much since I'm a non-US resident or citizen, I'm subject to a further 30% withholding tax) goes to charity. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, I was able to contribute to two organizations, namely the cancer society and the kidney foundation; but the present crisis has hit the world economy really hard and book authors are not spared either. After some deliberation, I had to cut down to just supporting one.

I'm not sure if there are readers out there who manage to get an illegal copy of my book(s). If you do, I do not intend to pursue the matter. All I ask is that you buy a meal for the poor or homeless around your neighborhood and that will be enough. A kind heart is what makes us all human, and what goes around... comes around. You never know when you'll need a helping hand.

Take care and stay safe, my friends.

Ps: For those who own illegal copies of my book, I would appreciate that you do not proliferate the piracy further by sharing with others or putting them online for free download, else you will be no different from the scumbags who do it for ill-gotten gains at the expense of others. Thank you.

Best of Both Worlds

I belong to the generation which witnessed the transition from black-and-white to color television, as well as monochrome to full-color monitor. While no one will want to go back to the old way of watching TV or doing computing, nonetheless there's a sense of nostalgia to it that's magical.

What am I driving at here, you may be asking. Well, actually I was toying with the design of the cover for my fourth book, Manual PCB-RE: The Essentials. The idea of featuring the Gigabyte GeForce 8600GT video card with half-photo half-illustration seemed like a neat idea. But I decided to take it one step further by including a reversed version in the interior cover page which has to be in black-and-white for a non-color print. This has created an interesting contrast with the book's front cover which is in full-color. Here's what they look like side by side:

It's tough to write engineering books but I always take great care and delight in designing my own book covers, and this is the best one yet. Hopefully it will not only spur the imagination of would-be readers but create a great anticipation for its release. When will it hit the bookstore? I really have no idea, but I'm working on it as much as my schedule allows me right now.

Do leave a comment if you like what you see. It will certainly help to cheer me on this arduous journey of being an author.

Reader from Pakistan

Yesterday I received an email from a reader who resides in Pakistan, requesting for the free resources on the purchase of my books. Here's what he wrote:

I have had the chance to read your books and I did really enjoy it. It contains good references for beginners to understand the concept and build on the foundation. The experiences you shared for PCB troubleshooting is another area on which you can write a complete book, I think. I would definitely love to learn from your experience. A step by step guide based on your experience can help a lot to others trying to understand/learn the work. 

The thought of writing about PCB repair and troubleshooting did cross my mind, but given the current schedules I have there is no way I can squeeze out more time for that. Of course, this is not a niche subject to write on, judging by the available books and resources online. Given a choice, I would rather write on PCB testing on different ATE platforms, something which I had mused on in previous posts.

Poster of my former work center which I created.

Readers who have hands on experience in any of these automatic test equipment (ATE) are welcome to leave your comments here. If the response is good enough, I may consider writing about them...

GeForce 8600 GT Layout Diagram (Part 2)

Continuing with the layout diagram for the Gigabyte GeForce 8600 GT graphics card, I have completed the solder side (rear view) of the board. Again, for contrast, here's the negative photo:

And the Visio drafted diagram:

I have also created different layers for each category of components for better management and flexibility of display:

Notice that besides assigning colors to components belonging to layer, it also shows the number of objects (not components) on each layer. I say 'objects' because each component is made up of a number of basic shapes which are grouped together. And until I merged these shapes, Visio will count them as individual objects still.

At this point of my PCB-RE process, though, there's no need to do so. But having different components in their own layers enables me to turn on or off a group of components at will. And once I assign reference designators to them, it will be much easier to locate a particular component, especially since the PCB does not order them according to location placement. These are two of the advantages of using Visio to create PCB layout diagrams which are mentioned in my books.

GeForce 8600 GT Layout Diagram (Part 1)

Three weeks ago, I mentioned about reverse engineering a GeForce 8600 GT graphics card. I haven't really gotten into doing it yet as I was busy with some other commitments. In between, when I could find the time, I would work a little on the layout diagram. Well, I managed to create the front view of the card using Microsoft Visio. For comparison, here's the negative photo for contrast:

And here's the Visio drafted diagram:

I've included the PCB artwork just for the fun and effects but there's really no need to do so if you only want to have a basic layout diagram for your PCB-RE work. Hopefully, this example gives you a glimpse of the versatility and power of Visio in creating technical illustrations.

I have yet to include the  reference designations of the components but that would be very cramp and messy, unless I use layering to segregate the components by their categories. This advanced technique is discussed in my first book, The Art of PCB Reverse Engineering, along with how to create stunning layout and schematic diagrams using Visio's powerful features.