About to commence a GPU reflow.

[AbsolutXTR]

Hey everyone,

I am going to do a GPU reflow today... hopefully with success. I have my MB tin folied and ready to go.

2 questions. When I'm done, I think I will be fine with the CPU, but what is the correct procedure to reapply thermal paste to the GPU? It seems to have some sort of thermal sticker on the fan. Can that be reused?

Also, my t41p's USB 2.0 only works when I flex the keyboard a certain way. Is there something else I can try to reflow to fix that? Some say it's the southbridge, some say it's not.

Cheers,
Peter

[Harryc]

The USB problem is due to a loose Southbridge. If the thermal pad is intact it is best to reuse it.

[irus]

sell off this motherboard/laptop as is or send it in for professional repair. really.

[AbsolutXTR]

sell off this motherboard/laptop as is or send it in for professional repair. really.

I like tinkering. Plus, if I fix it, I can buy other ones with the same problem and try to fix em myself too - then sell em off as is

Professional repair would probably cost more than a new laptop, and really... what would they do? The exact same thing? It's out of warranty, so my only choices are trying this, buying a new/working mobo or getting a new thinkpad.

I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for the input.

Any opinions on whether I should try to reflow the southbridge too? I figure while I have it all taken apart and set up.....

[AbsolutXTR]

The USB problem is due to a loose Southbridge. If the thermal pad is intact it is best to reuse it.

Should I try to clean off the GPU chip? The thermal pad seems fine, but there's some residue left on the chip. I assume I shouldn't be applying thermal paste to the pad and/or GPU?

[Harryc]

Don't use thermal paste, just the pad, and yes clean off the top of the GPU first. As far as the SB reflow, it depends on how important USB is to you .

[AbsolutXTR]

Don't use thermal paste, just the pad, and yes clean off the top of the GPU first. As far as the SB reflow, it depends on how important USB is to you .

Thanks. I was considering just buying a PCMCIA USB 2.0 card. Maybe I will just do that. USB 1.0 is painfully slow.... and I think sticking pens and pencils under corners of my thinkpad to get USB 2.0 working definitely contributed to my GPU problem.

Cheers,
Peter

[irus]

you can buy a post warranty pack which is available for thinkpads out of warranty.

nevertheless goodluck with tinkering!