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    Computer useless without GPU???

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by eriannmx, Jul 6, 2015.

  1. eriannmx

    eriannmx Notebook Consultant

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    My GPU (7970m in a p170EM) recently died, so I took it out to get it reballed by professionals.

    Thing is, my computer seems to have GPU withdrawal syndrome... Fans are immediately at Max speed, the num, caps and scroll locks' lights blink intermittently, sometimes it beeps, and always shuts down after 2-3 minutes of turning it on.

    Is this normal? How can I use my computer while the GPU is being serviced?
     
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2015
    eriannmx, Jul 6, 2015
    #1
  2. t456

    t456 1977-09-05, 12:56:00 UTC

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    You have an Optimus system and the i7-3610QM has onboard gpu, so technically it can run without the dGPU. However, there's no signal from the MXM, so bios/ec assumes the worst and shuts down. Only chance would've been Prema bios and disable MXM entirely, that way only the HD 4000 'exists'. Can't flash it now, presumably, so alternative would be another 'dead' MXM for the time being.
     
    t456, Jul 6, 2015
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    eriannmx likes this.
  3. eriannmx

    eriannmx Notebook Consultant

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    Actually I have Prema BIOS. I went into the BIOS but couldn't find any option for this. I still haven't handed the GPU out, so if you could explain me how to this workaround, I'll appreciate it greatly.
     
    eriannmx, Jul 6, 2015
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  4. t456

    t456 1977-09-05, 12:56:00 UTC

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    Is bios menu stable then? Don't have a similar model, but there should be something like iGPU/dGPU. Could ask Prema; fastest result.
     
    t456, Jul 6, 2015
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  5. Brent R.

    Brent R. Notebook Evangelist

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    sry lil off topic but what does it mean to get a gpu reballed? lol maybe my gpu is female just sayin, sry I know corny but no seriously what does that mean?
     
    Brent R., Jul 8, 2015
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  6. Bullrun

    Bullrun Notebook Deity

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    BGA (Ball Grid Array) soldered ... re-soldered... re-balled. ;)
     
    Bullrun, Jul 8, 2015
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  7. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    In a true reball, the solder is wiped away from the chip and board, fresh solder balls are placed in the right positions and used to solder the chip back on.

    This of course does not replace the solder balls that hold the chip to the package that often have the issue:

    [​IMG]
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 8, 2015
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    Bullrun, E.D.U. and be77solo like this.
  8. o0phantom0o

    o0phantom0o Notebook Consultant

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    Very interesting diagram there @Meaker. I practically got my 7970m reballed right infront of me, and I never noticed the Core and the Package were soldered.

    I would still recommend reballing over baking because it seems like a much more controlled process.
    Not to mention, even if it does not address ALL the solders, it does replace a lot of them (between the package and the PCB).
     
    o0phantom0o, Jul 15, 2015
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  9. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Oh if it's professionally done it's by far the most reliable method. No one out there will be able to reball the die.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Jul 15, 2015
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