What is causing this on the screen of my Sony Vaio?

I was given a Vaio that is a few years old and im trying to fix it up for my mom. The issue is it seems to have lines on the screen most of the time, I got them to go away after a few restarts yesterday but after I started it this morning they are back.I don't know what's causing it. I just installed windows 7 and that rendered my hdmi port useless so I can't check to see if it will show up on my other screen. The issue was present before my install as my friend told me he stopped using the laptop because of them. Here's a few pics, any help would be appreciated.



Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

Your notebook is overheating. CPU I think. What can you do? Can you cool before you start? I used to get that when I OC'D.

 

That's a possibility, I could try using a fan under it. Funny thing though is that it randomly appears and disappears. I thought about the heat issue, is it to the point of not being saved? Or will cooling it make it stop completely. My friend told me that it use to get really hot so I'm wondering if he damaged it by not cooling it enough.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

I'm guessing your right. Max is 85 degrees. Look at core #1. Now I need to know if it's permanent or will better cooling remedy it. Thanks


Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

You shoud look into the possibility of cleaning the insides of the laptop, especially where the intake of air is. Very often dust is collected in these spaces that blocks the air flow. Very common for laptops that have been in use for more than a year.

 

as he says, it just needs a clean, get rid of dust and it will not happen anymore, at least not until it clogs up again and is unable to get rid of the heat. I would imagine it will need a complete tear down to get to the fan/heatsink assembly to scoop out all the dust, as it must be completely clogged to overheat so badly without running games/stress test on it. Trying to blow canned air/compressed air in it might damage the fan further, as it would just spit the huge dust bunny into the fan and jam it, likely breaking the fan completely and needing a new fan or the whole fan/heatsink assembly depending on how it is made.

 

I will do a break down of the setup. Hopefully that is the case.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

Does it change when you pivot the screen? If not, it is most likely the GPU (or CPU, though less likely). Update us after you clean it out and test with lower temps.

 

Cleaned it out completely. My first time disassembling a laptop . Worked perfect for a few hours and then while doing updates and typing this it returned. The temps are atleast 50 degrees cooler so I'm not sure what the deal is. I'm gonna have to buy a fan for it to see if temps can be brought lower.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

Since it seems to be a CPU problem can I just swap out the CPU and hope for the best. If I go that route do I have to go with the same speed CPU or can I upgrade a bit without affecting the rest of the system? The CPU that it has is a core 2 duo t5450 @ 1.66ghz.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

I don't think this is a CPU problem, but a GPU problem. Do you have an Nvidia 8-Series GPU?

 

It doesn't register any gpu. I don't think it came equipped with an Nvidia.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

It still has something to output video, either an Intel IGP or a dGPU and if whatever you have for display is toast, you'll need a new motherboard.

 

I agree could be GPU, likely GPU. OP what GPU do you have? I am worried about micro fractures within the GPU and that would lead to "baking" if you can seperate the GPU from the MoBo or "baking the entire MoBo.

Not really the best place to be.

Maybe try applying thermal paste to CPU as a desperate attempt, see if it helps.

 

Well it was a free laptop. I have an Asus n50 as my daily driver. This one is gonna be for my mom if I can salvage it. The gpu is probably the stock Intel one on the mobo. Time to start searching eBay for replacement parts. Any ideas if I can swap in any Vaio mobo and CPU or do I need the exact same model. Parts are cheap for this laptop so I wouldn't mind upgrading it a bit, after all it's for my mother. Thanks for the help.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

I don't think it is certain it is GPU. I got the same thing when I OC'd my CPU so give TP a shot.

Edit: Always be cautious of those with Anime avatars.

 

This doesn't necessarily look like a CPU overheating problem.
Artifacts could happen if you are using the CPU and GPU under load (such as games) and the temperatures are high enough... but apart from that, this more looks like an issue specifically related to image reproduction (I don't think this necessarily classifies as 'artifacts' but I could be wrong - a similar problem persisted with someone who had a bad GPU).
Could be the video cable and/or inverter in the laptop screen.

What you could do is connect the laptop to an external monitor or TV and see if the issue persists.
If it doesn't, then I think you would be able in narrowing down the problem to a VGA cable inside the laptop or the inverter.
If the problem persists, then you have to try and narrow down the issue better.

 

Before you buy a new CPU change the thermal paste. Didn't see that was suggested or done. If cleaning the laptop helped temporarily it may still need the paste to be changed.

If you've never done it before, get some IC Diamond thermal paste, high % rubbing alcohol (99% best, but get at least 90%+), and a roll of paper towel. Just be sure to clean the paste of really well and soak it with the alcohol for a bit if needed on both the CPU and heatsink. Make them so clean they shine before applying the new paste.

edit: oops, I see it was suggested. Ok, well, another one.

 

I was going to suggest the change of TIM, but then, regardless of the temporary clear image, it doesn't mean the CPU is to blame - it indicates to a problem that once the laptop 'warms up' so to say, image reproduction becomes corrupted.
This could also be down to a faulty GPU (soldering issues come to mind), but also video cable and/or inverter.
I have a similar issue with my Acer 5930G - in my case, the entire image becomes white with some lines - I was able to deduce the problem lied with the video cable (which probably became a bit loose due to opening/closing of the lid) and several others who have the same laptop experienced the issue.
Also... the problem that happens on my laptop screen doesn't happen on the external monitor/TV.

This is why I suggested the laptop to be connected to an external monitor/TV to check if the lines/issue will persist (at the very least, it can eliminate the GPU/CPU if nothing shows up on the external monitor/TV after prolonged use, and the OP could at the very least focus his/her efforts into other areas such as video cable/inverter).

 

I will try thermal paste. I have a tube from about 6 years ago. Does that stuff expire? I also tried connecting to my tv via hdmi and no signal goes to the tv. My other laptop send the image to the tv instantly. I'm not sure if I don't have the hdmi drivers or if that port is dead too.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

The symptoms are very similar to vram failure. CPU overheat usually results in throttling and doesn't usually kick in until 95 degrees. CPU error usually results in a hard crash or bsod. System ram issues manifest these symptoms only if your system is igpu only.

Run CUDA memtest from the standford f@h site for a few passes, this is the most reliable test. Try atitool if your gpu isn't nvidia. Atitool can pick up very minute vram errors of run for at least 15 minutes.

 

it could be re flow problem it could also be a bum screen. artifacts are usually more random than that why vertical lines but, perfect icons and desktop?

 

I just wanted to clarify apparently the pcg model number is only the configuration model. It is actually model vgn-fz348e
What are my options for replacement mobo's if I need to go that route? I'm scouting eBay for parts and wondering what I can find, maybe someone selling something with a parts setup.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

well unless it is still overheating replacing the paste seems pointless in trying to resolve this.

Sony VAIO VGN-FZ348E/B Overview & Specs - Laptops - CNET Reviews

according to this it has an nvidia GPU too, so thats not too bad as you could just make video applications and all that use Nvidia GPU, since if this happens when idling it would imply issue is with integrated intel graphics? (if it has one, if i recall core 2 duo doesn't have on die graphics, so it might just be CPU&GPU)

anyways before splashing money onto a new mobo, it would be cheaper to see if stressing vram reproduces these artifacts. Update your drivers too, best do a clean install, as that would likely be a culprit to at the very least not out putting video to external monitor.

replacing LCD cable or getting a software fix would be a lot cheaper than replacing motherboard, also i would think it would be quite possible to live with this if it is a double GPU setup and just the intel card is acting up.

also does moving LCD panel remove them? or do they pop up completely by random? try the stress tests suggested, if running them makes the lines appear its the GPU then. years of overheating might have taken a toll on cpu/gpu.

 

Moving the screen doesn't make them appear or disappear. I have that issue on my other laptop so I know what it looks like. It appears randomly even under light load, even after I cleaned out the fans and air flow holes and dropped CPU temps atleast 50 degrees. This issue doesn't seem to be screen related. I tried connecting to my tv via hdmi and it doesn't send a signal, even after I've updated the drivers. Not sure if that port is dead or if I don't have the right driver. Sony doesn't list a hdmi specific driver. I also went to nvidia to update drivers there and they said no gpu was detected, so either it didn't come equipped or it is not functional. Here's a pic, do you see a gpu?


Edit: I found it. Since its not detected could it be defective.


Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

It could also be that you absolutely need the drivers from sony and not the generic nVidia drivers. Anyways, since you've taken the heatsinks off, it's time for a repaste.

 

Yeah thats what I'm going to do. The thermal paste was hard as a rock so def time for new paste. I'm just not sure why it wouldn't recognize the gpu. I downloaded most of the drivers direct from the Sony website. I didn't see one specific to the nvidia gpu.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

No one mentioned this yet so I'll suggest it.

After you put it back together, can you try powering ON the computer with just one RAM stick at a time (alternate between sticks and SODIMM slots)? Can you tell me if this changes anything or remains the same?

Anyways, I encountered a very similar thing at work (desktop) and the lines were caused by a faulty Nvidia GTX 260 (or something like this) dGPU. We put in a temporary spare dGPU and sure enough the lines went away. We replaced the dGPU with a comparable part. In your case, I'm almost certain its that Nvidia GPU. My guess is that it overheated and caused the thermal paste to dry out, bake and eventually crack. A new motherboard might be the fix, but baking this motherboard could prove to be a cheaper alternative. If baking it at home doesn't fix it, at least you tried to save some cash (and learned something new) and you're inevitably back to buying that replacement motherboard (if its even worth the hassle, might be cheaper to buy a used working desktop/laptop).

 

Yeah, unfortunately if the GPU is toast which is a possibility in your case, baking might work if the problem is with the solder, if the chip itself is damaged though...

It may not be that bad, but prepare yourself for that possibility.

 

sounds like you need a re flow/baking. which can work, and for years to come if you use high quality thermal paste accompanied with cooling modifications. it worked for years before it broke it can do so again if re flowed properly, though even a good re flow won't last forever though it can last for another several years.

 

I'm betting their toast. The CPU looked a little dark on top. Can I purchase a CPU and gpu for cheap for this mobo? Either way I gotta buy new thermal paste, I can't find my old one. If the gpu isn't working would I still be able to get an image one the screen?

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

The CPU will be cheap. I am pretty sure it is not the problem. For the GPU you will probably have to replace the mobo, which won't be cheap. I am pretty sure that is the issue. And yes, with these flaky Nvidia chips, you will still get an image, albeit one with artifacts like the what you are getting now, even if the chip is bad.

 

Is this the right gpu?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/nVIDIA-GeFo...pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f138887e7

Or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/nVidia-G86-...pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20c657464d

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

It should be, but if you have the tools and skills needed to remove the old GPU and attach this one, you might as well reflow/reball your old GPU, which is what it needs.

 

Is it really that hard to remove the gpu? I thought it would just pull off. Or is it suppose to be permanently attached to the mobo.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

It is soldered to the motherboard. It is meant to be a permanent connection.

 

So I guess the real question here is what is the actual faulty component and what is a new mobo and gpu gonna cost? Also will a new mobo cost close to the cost of a new warrantied comparable unit like maybe a cheap I3 or something. My mom isn't gonna be gaming or anything like that.



Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

The problem is almost certainly with the GPU. More specifically, it is a fault with the low-quality BGA soldered used to connect these chips to the motherboard. It is a well-documented and widespread issue. You can look up the Nvidia BGA fiasco.

Honestly, you should not invest in a new motherboard unless you can find something compatible without the Nvidia GPU. I do not know if that exists for your model; Sony's crappy naming scheme makes it really hard to look these things up. Another board with the same GPU will have the same crappy solder material and will eventually develop the same issue. Even if you can find a compatible board with integrated graphics, it will probably cost a significant percent of the current value of the machine, and may or may not be worth it.

I would honestly just sell this for parts and buy another laptop of similar or newer vintage without an Nvidia GPU. There are many cheap options ($100 to $150) on the used market from all the major brands.

 

wait wait, if it doesn't detect nvidia GPU, in my experience, unless the GPU is actually baked, YOU NEED INTEL DRIVERS, they do mess up now and again, and stop detecting nvidia GPU as intel drivers allow you to detect nvidia card. so you must reinstall those first, then nvidia ones. the lines are caused by the cpu/gpu intel package as nvidia GPU couldn't cause this, as it isn't even detected, so there is no way for it to be used to process images.

Also, for HDMI Nvidia GPU is used, thus why it isn't working.

also if this is just driver issue and nvidia GPU is fine, you can just use that to process most of things, removing the lines.