Laptop Screen Problem

[cheesyface]

Hi.

Someone in my family picked up a second hand laptop a few years ago and recently the screen keeps going "fuzzy" and then completely blank. They took it into a local shop who said it was the connection between the screen and the mobo, but it required a small solder to fix and they didn't have the tools. This shop then said they could mail it out to another company who could fix it (now incurring postal costs on top of their service charge). A couple of days later they receive a phone call saying that its the gfx card and will cost around £250 to fix.

Does this sound like bull? I would have thought if the gfx card was gone (or going) you wouldn't get anything. And apparently if you move the screen about the picture sometimes comes back. I suggested that they get the laptop back, seeing as you can pick up a new one for not much more than this with a warrenty.

I've searched the forums and google can't find anything about how I can go round with my hammer and check it myself. I've seen that some have a socket and others are soldered on (the local shop may have been telling the truth), is it easy to open it up and check this?

Thanks,
Cheesy.

 

[steve258]

Laptop GPU is usually soldered onto the motherboard, whether it's integrated or seperated graphics solution, in that case then they will have to replace the whole motherboard.

I've stripped my laptop numerous times trying to clean up the HSF and upgrade the CPU. My laptop monitor is using connector similar to DVI but smaller, rather than soldered onto the mobo. You can try opening your laptop but it's important to take it slow and remember where all the connectors / screws go.

Like you said I don't think it is worth it as you can easily find a brand new, more powerful laptop for a little extra.

 

[cheesyface]

Thanks. I'll check the connection later, though if it does require a solder I couldn't find anywhere local that can fix it.