Tip & How-To about Dell Computers & Internet
I have a Dell Vostro 1400 laptop, bought in 2007.
A few weeks ago, I turned on my laptop, put on a movie, and after a few minutes it froze, made weird noises, so I was forced to turn it off - it didn't seem like it was going to recover.
After I turned it back on, there was no image. I heard Windows boot up, but nothing on the screen.
I connected the laptop to an external screen, and what I saw was a very crappy picture, pixelated, and the colors were all distorted.
I found out that this was due to a broken video chip - the Nvidia 8400GS M that is hard-wired onto the motherboard of my laptop.
So, what to do?
Well you can't replace the graphics chip. You could potentially buy a new motherboard for this Dell model, but it's not worth it.
In the end, you're going to have to buy a new laptop, because the integrity of the connections in the motherboard and graphics chip have been compromised.
However, there is a temporary fix for this problem, which will restore the image.
You have to put the motherboard in the oven for 8 minutes, at 200 degrees celsius.
That's right. Bake the motherboard.
Take apart the laptop completely, expose the motherboard.
Take off the heatsinks.
Take off the plastic shielding stickers.
Put some aluminium foil on a platter for the oven.
Then make 4 identical aluminium balls, and place your motherboard on those in the platter.
Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees.
Then put in the motherboard.
After 8 minutes, turn of the oven, and crack the door open a little.
You don't want to take out the motherboard right away - otherwise you risk cooling the solder connections too quickly and they will crack.
Leave it to cool gradually for about 30-40 mins.
Then reassemble your laptop and it should work.
NOTE: this is a temporary solution that will give your laptop another 1-4 months to live. In that time I recommend shopping for a new laptop.
Because the problem will return.
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