Help with GC Soldering

[utrx999]

Ok, i'm a complete noob with soldering. I got the viper gc extreme modchip today and i plan to install it. i diassembled my gamecube without any issues. i find the soldering points quite small. so i need some tips.
i saw some video about how to tin the tip of the soldering iron with solder, so i can do that. i saw other videos about soldering transistors and capasitors, so i can do that too. but i'm having trouble figuring out how to solder wires. because now there are three things to carry at the same time but only 2 hands. like the iron and the solder wire and the actual wire. how is that managed? more questions.

*i first need to "tin" the points by putting solder on them, right? now how is that done? do i put both the iron and the solder on the point at the same time or some how put some solder on the tip of the iron and then put that on the point?

* how is the solder bridge done? i need to do it between 2 points, again how to handle the iron and the solder in this case.

* the IC leg soldering seems overwhelming, any tips there? does it matter if the wire is connected at the top or the bottom of the leg....

i know the questions are very noobish, but i want to learn. everyone had to learn at some point.

[northernpimp]

I think the easiest way is to tin the wire you will be soldering on the GC. then all you have to do is heat it and apply to the solder point. to bridge to points you can just use a small wire and solder to each point (ive never done a GC so im not sure any other way). Also use flux to help the wire stick to the solder point. if your super worried tape off the points with electrical tape. and do not by any means hurry your self you will only drop the iron on the board ruining it oh yea and theres some braid or a sucker you can get to take off solder incase you mess up, that would be handy as well.

[robertr728]

yes by all means tin the wire then melt it and your solder point together. do not go over a circuit board with a roll of solder in your hand.

some tips for a newb

1 use flux it helps alot.
2 tin the tip of your iron and clean it in a wet sponge or rag alot. you will have to tin it like almost every time you solder a spot.
3 practice soldering on a old motherboard or something first before you try to tackle the small spots on a game motherboard. find something around the house thats old and get its board out of it and try to solder some wires to it. many of games have been messed up by newbs and pros alike.

hope that helps.

robert