T42p video chip problems

Message

spiveslude · #1 Post by **spiveslude** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:02 pm

Hello there. Well I have come to find out that my video chip has an "unfixable" problem. After a diagnostic I was told the only solution was to purchase a new motherboard. Through some research Ive found that this is not a completely uncommon problem and that a re-flow is often a viable solution. The laptop is no longer under warranty (ran out in July) so I figure why not give it a shot. I have taken it apart down to removing the fan (long) and thermal pad, however there is still is a metal ati labeled plate over 4 things on each corner of the chip that I cannot remove. I have heard of two methods once i can get all this off: Heat gun, and tealight/alcohol. What are your opinions on these and their success rate? I am a poor fairly computer savvy college student that just wants a working computer again so any help would be awesome.

ulrich.von.lich · #2 Post by **ulrich.von.lich** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:01 pm

Hi, I found this video for you.

I'm not sure if you can take off the video chip. Recently I've seen many people suffering from the same problem... A motherboard replacement seems necessary. However, try everything you can before the costly solution. I wish you good luck!

#3 Post by **richk** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:05 pm

The pieces you mention do not come off. You need to heat the whole thing. I have a temperature controlled rework station and my success rate is OK, but not nearly 100%. I suggest you remove the HDD/optical drive cage and the wireless cable guide, because you are likely to melt the corner of the guide. I also cover the MB connector for the touchpad with foil. Before you start putting foil near the board, I assume you have unplugged the machine and removed the battery. I think you can improve your chances by getting a small amount of no-clean flug around the chip. I dip a toothpick into the flux and dab ir around the chip.

spiveslude · #4 Post by **spiveslude** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:58 pm

Do you think I will have a higher success rate if I completely remove the motherboard? or just make sure nothing around the chip can melt and leave most of the hardware intact (minuc CD and HD)

#5 Post by **richk** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:23 pm

I've tried it both ways (in case and not) . How hot is the air out of your heat gun?

spiveslude · #6 Post by **spiveslude** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:27 pm

I havent purchased one yet but I am about to any min now heh. do you recomend getting something I can check temps with?

#7 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:50 pm

Infrared thermometer. Got one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0180186589 (Craftsman 81079 Multimeter)

for $40 recently. For somebody who doesn't already have a digital multimeter and who needs a thermometer for re-flow work, something like this would be ideal. My only objection to it is that you need to point the "head" of the meter at what you want to measure and that usually means the display is upside down.

#8 Post by **richk** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:27 pm

I was jnot suggesting you buy a rework station to reflow one board that might not be fixable anyway. You are probably better off removing the MB. No risk of damaging the case.

spiveslude · #9 Post by **spiveslude** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 11:42 pm

Well I am not sure how good of a job I did but I decided to chance it and play around with the heat gun going by some videos on youtube. Ive been able to keep the computer running fine after putting it back together again and through multiple restarts which would have been unheard of before. Im also typing this on the laptop right now. Ty for the advice.

T42p video chip problems

T42p video chip problems

Who is online