Video Card problem and repair question

[erhmason]

Hello all.......again.
The question I have is about the ATI Video card and the connection problems with the solder. I've identified the problem with my T40 as a poor connection. I've seen the posts here on re-flowing the solder connection. Problem is.....the ATI card is on a secondary card mounted to the motherboard. Is the re-flow post talking about the re-flowing to the main board or the sub board?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Harryc]

What is the machine type/model of this machine? (Look at the sticker on the bottom)

[richk]

If you are reflowing, you are heating the assembly enough to melt the solder on both layers. I don't know how ATi manufactured the unit originally, but if I had to guess, I would guess they attached the memory and video chip to the little board using solder that would melt after the stuff that is used in the main board assembly. In that way, when the motherboard was made, the assembly would be put in place so when it was zapped in the infrared oven, the solder between the main board and the assembly would melt, but not the solder inside the assembly.

[erhmason]

The model is a 2373 --72U

[Harryc]

That is a T40 with a 32MB ATI Radeon 7500. The GPU is soldered directly to the systemboard. A reflow would be to the systemboard.

[erhmason]

That just doesn't look like any chip I've ever seen. The ATI chip is on another board and those two are then on the motherboard.

[Harryc]

Oh well, now you've seen it all.

[erhmason]

hardly .......but will keep looking.........thanks