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    Acer 5520g Strange colour video output

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by MarkoAcer, Dec 18, 2010.

  1. MarkoAcer

    MarkoAcer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yesterday in middle of work image suddenly frosen.

    I restarted but display shows something like water colour art picture.
    Colours are slowly changing on screen, but output make no sense.

    I connected VGA output to LCD tv and everything is ok, but windows would not boot if you try to load video drivers, it can boot only in safe mode.
    I have 2 windows on computer XP and 7 and they are both acting same way.

    I am now writing in Windows 7 Safe Mode with networking on this laptop watching display on tv.

    Video cars is Nvidia 8400m G. What could be wrong, is something damaged?
    Please help!
     
    MarkoAcer, Dec 18, 2010
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  2. MarkoAcer

    MarkoAcer Notebook Enthusiast

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    At first it looked like laptop monitor problem, but

    1.when display stays in console mode for a while, scanning disk with chkdsk, there are some strange artifacts appearing on external display
    2. would not go in windows when full graphics drivers installed

    So probably it is gpu error.


    Could gpu be parcialy damaged? :confused:
     
    MarkoAcer, Dec 18, 2010
    #2
  3. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    michael_recycled, Dec 18, 2010
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  4. MarkoAcer

    MarkoAcer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you for replaying, i didn't know about that.

    Before it failed i planed to clean dust, card was working around 70 celsius while playing 3d games.


    1. Is there any software which could confirm card failure, do not know how to be sure?

    2. There is Acer services near me, they probably have spare parts MXM 2 card,
    Geforce 9650m is best i could get?
     
    MarkoAcer, Dec 18, 2010
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  5. Arminator

    Arminator Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes... 9650M gt would be a great deal as you can see it in my signature... ;) Just switch old one with 9650M GT and it will work fine...
    Also 9600M GT with DDR3 would be a better deal but I can`t confirm that it will work fine since some Acer models are having troubles with accepting this card... My 8600M GS also died with same symptoms as your 8400M...

    Cheers
     
    Arminator, Dec 18, 2010
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  6. MarkoAcer

    MarkoAcer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sympoms are here
    Nvidia Geforce 8400M GS James's Place

    Only external display works
    In Console mode strange subcharacter artifacts occur, but viewable.
    Normal mode wouldn't work.
    VGA safe mode works without any error.

    Aurora borealis effect on laptop monitor.

    Diagnose confirmed. :)

    Just one more question, if i remove 8400m from aces 5520g and turn if on.
    Would then integrated Geforce 7150m be operational?
     
    MarkoAcer, Dec 18, 2010
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  7. Arminator

    Arminator Notebook Evangelist

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    No it won`t work since it is a BIOS locked/disabled and you cannot unlock it...

    I did some digging how to enable it to lower power consumption when on battery... But my search gained no results...

    Cheers
     
    Arminator, Dec 20, 2010
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  8. MarkoAcer

    MarkoAcer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Some guy told me that he will repair it for 100e.
    Could it be repaired by reballing, is it that error in this case, lead free metal not touching motherboard?
     
    MarkoAcer, Dec 20, 2010
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  9. MarkoAcer

    MarkoAcer Notebook Enthusiast

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    It is revived, revived. :)

    ALIVE!!!!!

    Used Black and Decker Heat gun for color removing, temp from 140 to 560 celsius. I used gun very shortly not to exceed 200 celsius.


    GeFrankenstoun 8400m Alive! :)
     
    MarkoAcer, Dec 20, 2010
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  10. Arminator

    Arminator Notebook Evangelist

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    Congratulations on your success... :)

    May be I could try reviving my old 8600M GS...

    Cheers.
     
    Arminator, Dec 21, 2010
    #10