Graphics chip solder reflow

[AlexC1981]

I cannot believe this actually worked. Mum's old laptop was turning on, but nothing showing on screen or on the external monitor.

I tried a CMOS reset, but after googling it seems the problem was due to the solder between the graphics chip and the motherboard failing.

I took the motherboard out. The ATI graphics chip is soldered directly to the board and I dribbled some no clean flux between the graphics chip and the board.

As I didn't have a heat gun handy, I used a blow torch to heat up the chip until the flux was bubbling. Put it all back together and it works! I'm amazed. I still can't believe it actually worked!

I used this video as a guide. Let's hope the repair holds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovHbPhyOP6I

[normalbloke]

Ha, good effort, reminds me of a job I had as a kid, operating a flow solder machine.

[anonymous-user]

I did the same about 5 or 6 times on a Dell laptop, just a normal heatgun outside on a workmate, as with yours it was the graphics chip that needed the attention. Each time I did the process the time before the next breakdown got shorter unfortunately, but it did keep the machine going for perhaps 2 years extra which is worth it I suppose as once you've dismantled it once the next time only takes a couple of minutes.

[Insert Coin]

Good job.

I used to assemble pcb’s many years ago, prototype boards were assembled manually, ic’s were placed by a steady hand with tweezers and a heat gun.

[bmwmike]

I've done this too, exciting first couple of times but gets old fast when you need to keep doing it!! Well done though

In my case it was the inbetweeners movie (first one) connected to an old HP laptop that did it.

[BenRichards89]

I had an AMD Graphics card go on a 27" iMac.

Took it apart and put the card in the oven for 15-20 mins. Put back in the iMac and it was all good again.

Machine still works now but isn't used as frequently as it used to be.

[Insert Coin]

It’s all that lead free solder crap.

[jet_noise]

Insert Coin said:

It’s all that lead free solder crap.

These days there is no excuse. When lead free was first introduced I'd agree. Assembly manufacturers have had a bit of practice since then And they put a lot of effort into making it so (reliable). Considering the number of joints soldering is an extraordinarily reliable process.

[Insert Coin]

I’ve been out of electronic repair for the best part of 20 years, no doubt things have moved on considerably.

[AlexC1981]

Cheers guys. I used 99% rubbing alcohol to clean up some of the excess flux, which caught fire at one point

It is a first gen i7 from 2010 and runs hot, so it's done quite well really. One video on youtube claimed that if you use the flux the repair will last much longer than if you just heat it up.

The laptop was set on on "best performance" on the performance slider setting, which prevents the CPU from reducing speed. I didn't realise that until yesterday.

The performance slider setting that you access by clicking on the battery icon overrules what it says under power plan settings. I really don't find Windows 10 as straightforward to use as previous versions.

I've turned the ATI graphic options down to a lower power mode as well since it only gets used for browsing and youtube. Hopefully it will run a bit cooler now.

[Gman20]

Pretty sure you shouldn't be able to fix any laptop problems with a blow torch.