T42p GPU White Top Cover Dislodged

[PeteS457]

I've recently posted regarding my dead T42p and determined that the system board had died. I love the laptop even though I've had it for 5 years and wanted to repair it. So I've purchased a used replacement system board, same FRU as the original, that has been tested and working. However, when I received it in the mail today, I noticed after unwrapping it, that the graphics chip white cover (ATI Mobility Fire GL) was dislodged from the graphics chipset. Underneath, there seems to be a cement/glue type material on the tops of the 4 memory chips and white thermal paste on the recessed GPU.

This was a bit more than what I was expecting. I'll be in contact with the person who I purchased this from (he seems to be quite knowledgable), but I'm wondering if this is worth repairing and if so, how. Does anyone here have any suggestions as to the best way to replace the white cover on the GPU? Is there a good chance that this has decreased the remaining life in the system board?

Thanks for any advice.

[beeblebrox]

I've recently posted regarding my dead T42p and determined that the system board had died. I love the laptop even though I've had it for 5 years and wanted to repair it. So I've purchased a used replacement system board, same FRU as the original, that has been tested and working. However, when I received it in the mail today, I noticed after unwrapping it, that the graphics chip white cover (ATI Mobility Fire GL) was dislodged from the graphics chipset. Underneath, there seems to be a cement/glue type material on the tops of the 4 memory chips and white thermal paste on the recessed GPU.

This was a bit more than what I was expecting. I'll be in contact with the person who I purchased this from (he seems to be quite knowledgable), but I'm wondering if this is worth repairing and if so, how. Does anyone here have any suggestions as to the best way to replace the white cover on the GPU? Is there a good chance that this has decreased the remaining life in the system board?

Thanks for any advice.

This looks like a fake: like ATI 9000 64MB with a Heat Spreader from the FireGL. Fraud. Usually it is quite impossible to dislodge the heat spreader without destrying the ATI chip.
Are you sure you have a T42p mainboard? It might be a T40p mainboard, methinks...

[PeteS457]

Well, I hope it's not a fake. But if this was a fake, e.g., a 64MB chipset, wouldn't it show up as a different graphics chipset under Control Panel than my ATI Mobility Fire GL 128MB that I know I had with the T42p system board (27K9912)? What are other ways to identify that it is a 27K9912?

I don't suspect that it is a fraud, as the individual who I'm getting this from has been very helpful and is a member of these forums. (The detached cover says Fire GL T2 like my old cover, except I can't read it all for the black gunk.) I am wondering if I just clean the GPU chip and put some AS5 and put the cover back on before I put the fan/heatsink back, if it will stay in place or do I need to do something else. I have to admit the graphics chip seems to be attached very well and securely on the underside to the system board. There are 6 red dots that seem to be holding it in place that were not on my dead system board.

Thanks for any help. I am now in touch with the seller, but any and all advice helps me in this circumstance.

[Terrahawk]

I wouldn't call it a fake. It is exactly what a FireGL would look like under the heatspreader - 4 RAM chips, some glue and a bit of silicon which is the actual FireGL itself. And yes, Windows would report a 64MB Radeon as a 64MB Radeon, not a FireGL. If Windows told you it's a FireGL and you were the one that installed the driver, then it is very most likely a FireGL.

The six red dots were added to later T4x motherboards to help with the detaching GPU problem.

If it were my T42p, I would be happy with a bit of AS5 on all the GPU and just slipping th cover back on. It will be held on by the heatsink.

[ajkula66]

@beeblebrox:

The board in question came from me. Do you still think it's a fraud?

[Harryc]

Whoa, lets calm down about the 'fake' board here guys. No way this is even a remote possibility from George. To the OP, just reapply thermal paste and pop that GPU cap back on and call it a day. It's not a big deal, it's just a heat-spreader cap.

[PeteS457]

Thanks to all - and especially George - for taking the time to respond. It does make me feel better to see two people - one a moderator - with over 12,000 posts between them verifying the legitimacy of the board. I feel quite comfortable now going ahead and just putting the heat spreader/cover back and securing it in place with the fan.

One last question. When I reapply AS5 to a CPU, I usually clean it and the heatsink with isoproply alcohol first before applying a thin line of AS5. Same here? George gives me the feeling that it's really not that important - and I do trust you George - but is the white thermal that is already on there quite enough? Can I just add to what's there without cleaning it first?

[Harryc]

If it will make you feel better to clean up the chips with alcohol, and then apply AS5, then that is what you should do. It certainly won't hurt, and might make for a consistent and even thermal seal.

[richk]

The covers do come off, especially if the fan was replaced. If I get one with the cover loose, I reattach with thermal adhesive, if I can find my tube. (the same as thermal paste, but it sticks) If the cover is loose, I look for flux residue to see if it was reflowed. I actually, do that any time I get a T4x machine with intel graphics. If I cannot find my adhesive, I just use thermal paste. I use that more often so it is closer to the top of the pile.