Acer 8935G Notebook graphic problems

Hi guys

I have a Acer 8935G that is running into some serious graphic issues. Initially, when playing games, I would encounter BSODs randomly. I took it to the service centre and it seems they replaced the thermal paste. It worked for a while, but then the BSODs will appear even without running high demand applications (e.g. games). Simply browsing internet will trigger BSODS.

After putting it away for half a year, when I tried booting it up, while there is power, now the display doesn't even turn on (i.e. black screen). Fan noise was present and the keyboard backlight were present as well. I would assume something went wrong with the GPU.

What I've tried:

1) Swapping the 2x 2GB ram cards around, 1 after the other, at different slots. I have cleaned the contacts too.
2) Connecting the laptop via HDMI to external monitor -> nothing happened
3) Pressing all forms of key combinations e.g. shift f8 etc

Could I have your advice on what should I do to get it alive again? I am thinking of doing a reball, and I am thinking of buying a BGA rework station (also for my YLOD ps3). Which part should I do the reball on? The GPU (where is it?)?

Appreciate your input

Thank you
Corse

 

Aspire 8935G uses an MXM-A slot, so you can replace the GPU - even upgrade to HD 6770. See this thread - http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/acer-mxm-models-and-cards.396320/

 

thanks downloads, I might attempt to upgrade to 6770. Is it direct plug and play? Just curious, what is your opinion on what happened to my laptop?

 

It's never that easy to guess but it does look like a dread GPU indeed. The odd thing here is that it's HD4670 if I'm not mistaken, and that card is not known for having such issues. That said all cards can develop those - some are notorious for that, others are not.

If you had a MXM-A module you could test if it's GPU, but it's unlikely that you have one or that any of your friends would have a laptop with MXM-A and would let you borrow it.

As for 6770 - apparently no BIOS mod needed although you need to get a red board 6770.

It would be an interesting upgrade - two generation ahead of what you have now.

 

what does it mean by a red board 6770? the colour?

*update: ok the board must be red, but I can't seem to find it anymore on amazon. Any ideas where could I buy it? -> ok found it on alix

 

actually im also curious, does the motherboard has its own inbuilt video card (e.g. intel)? if thats the case, why am i not seeing a display?

 

You should be able to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics by means of Acer Power Smart application although I'm not sure if it works properly seeing as this notebook came with Windows Vista from factory and this application might not work under newer version of Windows.