T42 BGA VC Failure?

[erikill]

I purchased a few months back a t42 15" SVGA laptop off ebay and no issues. My T20 lasted a solid 5yrs+ before I sold it upgrading to this t42.

So the other day I move the t42 laptop and i get almost sine wave like motion through the screen. Hard lockup, can't ssh in. Ok so restart, blank screen. Tried using an external monitor no dice. I started reading the forum and sounds like this may be a BGA issue. I did take apart everything and replace the thermal grease on the CPU with Artic Silver5 since I guessed the locking up may have been a heat issue. Then works intermittently until its moved or the keyboard is pressed.

Before I start getting the pieces for the sticked BGA fix, any other thoughts on what may be the issue?

[schen]

It sounds like you've research this a little and read the various posts regarding this issue. You course you can never be sure, but your description certainly sounds like the dreaded GPU issue. I have a T42/15" (also with an SXGA+ screen) that has been sent to Superior Reballing to try and resolve this issue. Hopefully, I'll get a fully functioning T42 back....knock on wood.

[erikill]

sent to Superior Reballing to try and resolve this issue. Hopefully, I'll get a fully functioning T42 back....knock on wood.

I was looking at that as well, I'm thinking I might try the stickied method, I need an infrared thermometer / heat gun which means I need to stop by Harbor Freight. It's just sad that I got such a deal on this and my old t20 i took apart so many times survived

[erikill]

Well I attempted the re-flow. Didn't work. I put everything back together and then it will power up for maybe a split second and stop. No fan or any moving parts. The LCD flickers. Tried to re-flow a second time. Still no dice. I guess I'm the 10% failure. I did see some soldier on the bottom side of the GPU that looked to have flowed through the holes.

Now the question is -

1) Do I try and buy a replacement mobo (seems pricey on ebay)
2) Get a broken t40 and swap the mobo
3) Just get a working used t42/t43

Any thoughts? I was using this T42 as a desktop replacement so 15" is important.

[SaderBiscut]

I'm pretty sure you can't do #2. It's your choice otherwise, a replacement motherboard won't be cheap, but it will likely be notably cheaper than a new laptop.

[yak]

I don't know your budget but maybe you could look into a 15" T60 which is rock solid or if not then a T43 cause I heard they do not fail as often.

After my T41 failed and the reflow didn't work, I went for a T60 (albeit 14") and I'm very happy about the decision.

[erikill]

I don't know your budget but maybe you could look into a 15" T60 which is rock solid or if not then a T43 cause I heard they do not fail as often.

After my T41 failed and the reflow didn't work, I went for a T60 (albeit 14") and I'm very happy about the decision.

I actually started looking at T61 for 15" screens but seems to be ~2x what a replacement T43 would be. Too bad the mobos aren't cheap.

[yak]

I actually started looking at T61 for 15" screens but seems to be ~2x what a replacement T43 would be. Too bad the mobos aren't cheap.

Getting a T61 would also be a switch to widescreen. At least for me that would be a show stopper. That's why I suggested a T60