global Laptop and motherboard repair tutorial | Page 44

Chapter 8
Laptop Not Powering On Issues & Resolutions; Part 2: Video Related
All laptops have a video card; other common terms for the video card are ―graphics cardǁ or
―GPUǁ (graphics processing unit), graphics ―chipsetǁ or ―video chipǁ. The ―video chipǁ is
integrated on the motherboard, and the ―video cardǁ is proprietary in that it connects to the
motherboard using a ZIF slot (zero insertion force) then secured by screws.
A video card or chip will fail mainly due to thermal breakdown. The most likely reason for this
breakdown is overheating of the laptop. Overheating happens when the fan and heat-sink assembly
become clogged. A heat-sink is typically a metal mix/blend, mainly being copper. It is also fragile.
You do not want to bend or flex the heat pipe of the heat-sink or you will increase the chance of
overheating due to incorrect motherboard thermal temperature readings. The end of the heat-sink will
have ―radiatorǁ fins attached to the heat pipe end. These metal/copper fins aid in the cooling and
heat dissipation by pushing the heat to the pipe end and then carrying it through the fins and out the
exhaust port.
As shown in the photo, the dust and debris can build up… Similar to a laundry dryer’s lint trap
that you remove and empty… except the laptop doesn’t allow one to easily clean this without
complete disassembly of the laptop. A toothbrush is used to clean between the fins of the heat-sink,
remove all dust and debris from the heatsink. You will then need to unscrew or un-brace the fan from
the heat-sink to properly clean the fan. These will be micro sized screws typically 4 of them and
some might be hidden under plastic stickers.