P-6831Fx possible mobo failure?

I was using my laptop and one day the screen went black while I was playing Rage. The LCD's backlight was still on, and the audio continued, but I couldn't do anything past that. So I forced it off by holding the power button. Upon attempting to restart it, the screen does not turn on at all, the hard drive makes no noise, the fan makes a quick noise when I press the power button, but that is it. The LEDs do turn on however, the power and media buttons LED. I tried connecting it to an external display through HDMI to no avail. Is it possible that this laptops motherboard has bit the dust, or is could this be another problem that I could possibly repair myself?

 

Try unplugging the battery and power cord, and holding down the power button for 20 seconds. Then plug it back in and see what happens.

 

Ahh that was actually the first thing I tried, guess I should have mentioned that.

 

I'm not quite sure what the problem could be, I've taken it apart completely but I don't even know how to narrow down where the problem lies, All I know is that the LEDs on the media bar and power button are functional, and the fans may turn on intermittently, it could be the GPU, CPU, or the motherboard entirely. I doubt its the inverter, if that were the case I'm sure I would hear boot up noises like normal. Anybody know of a way to troubleshoot this?

 

probably nvidia gpu chip went bad, it's the typical issue with most nvidia chips of those years. you can either bake it or have it reflowed, reballed or completely replaced, like I did. but that's one of the possible issues to my guess.

 

99 out of 100 times with the GTS 8800's it is the GPU relow issue with the black screens...............

 

I wouldn't be against baking at this point, but how can I narrow down if the GPU or motherboard is shot?

 

gpu failure signs vary... the one you described in your first post could definitely be of GPU chip unsoldered or exfoliated

 

It isn't that they are unsoldered but the solder joints become cold. In other words the solder itelf has too low a melting threshold and oxidizes from partial melting and cooling. This is why the temp fix was just to keep the GPU hot to delay the breakdown.

Baking brings the solder to full melting temp and with a proper cool down reconnects the joints. The problem is there is still some leftover oxidation and the GPU still goes through those cycles of partial melt and cool down. Constant rebakes can get the system back but with deminishing returns as the oxidation in the solder builds.............

 

that's what I meant..
but it's only the half of the problem.
in many cases the chip itself gets exfoliated off the laminate

 

first time I have seen a chip destroy itself so thoroughly.............

 

Tan: Do you think that possibly the Thermal paste was all burn own by the time

 

Well I got someone to look at it. Its most certainly the motherboard. It looks like it would cost 200-400 to replace it(the part is just that expensive). I guess its time to move on and save up for a new laptop. Think I will avoid the gateway line though. I had to get it repaired once within a year of purchase, and now the mobo is fried.