HP Pavilion dv2000 Laptop Troubles

One of the things that I like to do in my spare time is tinker with computer software/hardware. Recently, I came across a product design/implementation that I thought should never have occurred/existed. Perhaps it was a one in a million case but based on my research it wasn't. It was a HP Pavilion dv2000.

Based on what I was told the working system was left in storage (inside a house so thermal/weather issues shouldn't have really been an issue) and hadn't been touched in several months. When it was turned on, all the LED's lit up but the machine didn't seem to 'boot'. There was nothing on either the LCD or an external monitor. Research and intuition thought that it had something to do with the discrete graphics chip (Nvidia) but I couldn't be sure until I had opened/examined the machine.

If you've ever opened up a laptop you've probably figured out that it is a pain and they often have design compromises with regards to accessibilty, cooling issues, and so on. A tip for those who attempt to disassemble this machine, go for the top/middle screws, then attack the left side of the top panel first and then attack the right hand side of the top panel after turning the screen towards you temporarily (you'll understand why if you ever try this). Then remove the keyboard and finally separate the main shell/panels after removing the relevant screws.

When I finally took a closer look at the graphics chip and the connection to the mainboard I noticed that some 'balls' were completely flattened and obviously could not have been connected to the mainboard. Moreover, some balls ended up being in contact with others. Removal/reshaping of damaged balls was obviously a possibility but as I've previously discovered (and documented in this blog) 're-flowing' is only a temporary solution. A 're-ball' is the only real medium/longer term solution since its an inherent design fault that never should have existed.

http://www.nerdmodo.com/2009/04/repairing-the-display-problem-in-hp-dv2000dv6000-series/

Obviously, I tried a re-balled mainboard. However, after re-connecting everything I discovered that the lid switch which is used to detect when to suspend the notebook was dead which led to backlighting issues and is another known design fault with this particular notebook. While a fix is possible longer term it is likely to fail anyhow and the ability to hibernate can still be accessed by using the power button. Research indicates that the 'best solution' is bypassing the problem by merely disconnecting the lid connector to the mainboard.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-pavilion-notebooks/225848-how-fix-dv2000-lid-switch-backlight-issue.html

At the end of all of this I discovered that the power switch wires had come loose. I didn't realise was how fragile something like this was and how difficult it was to solder using a general purpose iron (though I eventually got it). From a practical perspective the wires are too small to strip easily (unless you have specialised equipment). In fact, I used small nail clippers! Thereafter, you'll notice that you must apply a coating over the wires in order for the connection to remain stable after re-assembling the laptop. I tried liquid electrical tape but while it is a good insulator it isn't as strong you would really want. Moreover, there are time issues associated with drying/curing.

Normal tape is possible but I found that it lacked 'adhesive power'. I finally tried, 'industrial strength adhesive tape'. It reminds of 'gaffa tape' but is more pliable making it easier to fit around gaps and wires. Personally, it feels like a cross between liquid adhesives and tapes. Brilliant stuff and but not as thick as 'gaffa tape' which may cause panels to be slightly out of kilter when re-assembling the machine.

http://www.ugluit.com/

Once the laptop was re-assembled you may find that device drivers may need to be updated. I discovered that I needed to manually force the Conexant HD Audio drivers to be used in order for them to work. Windows/software based hardware auto-detection just didn't work.

- as usual thanks to all of the individuals and groups who purchase and use my goods and services
http://sites.google.com/site/dtbnguyen/
http://dtbnguyen.blogspot.com.au/

NVIDIA Laptop Graphics Chip Repair

Sometimes you'll encounter a continuing problem over and over again. One of the ones that has come to light for me has been related to discrete NVIDIA graphics chip on laptops (across multiple brands believe it or not including HP, Compaq, Dell, and Apple) which have revolved around excess heat not being dispersed adequately which means that over time the graphics chip can come away from the logic board. A lot of the time this results in an unbootable laptop with the following symptons, power and LED indicator lights turn on accompanied by a black screen. Even though there has been a partial recall of affected laptops there are many 'out in the wild' which still have the same problem.

While conventional solder and mechanical pressure can be used as a means of providing a medium to long term fix on traditionally packaged and attached chips this is not the case with Ball Grid Array (BGA) graphics chips which seems to be a more popular methodology moving forward.

However, the probem is when you have mounting issues they aren't so easy to fix if you don't have the required, proper equipment required in order to complete the job. Moreover, often taking it to a 'professional' may cost the same amount as a new laptop/logic board. Numerous accounts online of this particular problem and some creative and unusual solutions have been proposed that are more 'cost effective' (but are also shorter term fixes). Some of these include:

- stripping down the machine down to the logic board and then 're-flowing' it by putting it in a convection oven or even using direct heat such as using a butane torch

- wrapping it in insulating material, turning it on and using the laptop's own heat in order to 're-flow' the connections

- using direct heat and a BGA kit in order to remove the damaged chip from the logic board, the 'balls', and then using the included solder balls (often of higher quality than the original) to fix problem areas

However, one thing I have been considering is whether or not it is feasible to attempt another solution. Namely, creating the solder balls themselves (too difficult on a large scale), or else using solder wick in order to clean up damaged BGA balls and then using flux gel in order to crudely create 'balls' between the graphics chip and the logic board. While I have been able to partially resurrect one board with this method I'll need more time to determine whether or not whether it is a complete long term fix...

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2011/02/23/fix-laptop-motherboard-with-failed-nvidia-graphics-chip/

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2010/10/06/fix-video-problem-hp-laptops/ http://www.ehow.com/how_7569857_remove-bga-chip.html

http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2010/04/06/fixing-compaq-presario-v6000-motherboard-no-video-issue/

http://www.computerrepairtips.net/how-to-reflow-a-laptop-motherboard/ http://www.insidemylaptop.com/fix-video-failure-hp-pavilion-dv2000-dv6000-dv9000-notebooks/

http://www.nerdmodo.com/2009/04/repairing-the-display-problem-in-hp-dv2000dv6000-series/

http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f108/hp-pavillion-dv2000-wont-start-223415.html

http://www.techsupportforum.com/forums/f108/hp-pavilion-dv8000-crashed-blinking-power-light-305796.html

http://nvidiasettlement.com/

http://www.assemblymag.com/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000242561

http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Display-and-Video/Compaq-Presario-V3000-Nvidia-Video-problem/td-p/19809/page/2

- as usual thanks to all of the individuals and groups who purchase and use my goods and services
http://sites.google.com/site/dtbnguyen/
http://dtbnguyen.blogspot.com.au/