Need some advise on acer 4741G NVIDIA disable fuse in motherboard. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: SandunDhammika
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 08:10:48 am
content: Hi all, I got acer 4741 laptop motherboard and I'm pretty sure that it's nvidia chip balling is faulty. Could not reball it back becuae I don't own my own IR platform and also rebelling costs around 50$ here. Where board is there to buy for around 70$ there.I've found it's schematic and does anybody could give me an idea on how to disable it's nvidia chip and force it to use old intel 9000 graphics chip. There is a on-board intel9000 chip there for sure , but there is a fuse to make it enable.Here is the schematic ,>>http://www.informaticanapoli.it/download/SCHEMIELETTRICI/ACER-EMACHINES/Acer_Aspire_4741ZG_eMachines_D730_-_WISTRON_HM42-CP_JE40-CP_-_REV_SC.pdf[ please note that I'm not the boy who updated that content to that site and I take no responsibility on it].Could anybody experienced in doing this could give me some clue about how to do this. I tried my best to read the schematic,but nvidia section is even not clear. I even don't have a debug card so there's no way of finding out which is the fault exactly.I know I lack basic skills in reading schematics but boys and girls here, please at least give me a idea pls.

author: TheGenesis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2014, 11:49:52 pm
content: If youre careful you can reflow the level1-interconnections on the bga with a hot-air tool and a temp probe.But this is only a temporary fix ... would last a few month and probably longer if you are not gaming.

author: SandunDhammika
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 10:17:15 am
content: Quote from: TheGenesis on May 05, 2014, 11:49:52 pmI'm not experienced with that coin method and don't own a temp probe either. And I don't think I could be careful to that precise level either. However I own a hot air gun.And my linux does uses the NVIDIA server. Yes I could tell linux to use the default nouveau driver , but I don't like thatlook and feel.I dead need intel9000GMA to be enabled on my board , and yes either way I need to buy a new board or disable the nvidia X server.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 12:49:26 pm
content: Looking at the block diagram on the schematic I think this isn't possible - the "Nvida" (would that be an "Nmuerte" now?) GPU is connected via PCIe to the CPU/chipset, and the CRT/LCD/HDMI interfaces connected to that.However, there are references to "DIS" (discrete) and "UMA" (unified memory architecture, i.e. integrated graphics) options throughout the schematic, but there are many,manychanges needed; here's some of what would need to be done to convert the hardware from one to the other option:Remove RN33Remove R481Add C528, C536, C540, C526Remove R215, R483, R216, R472Remove R205Remove R441Add R432, R440, XTAL25, C486, C485Add RN12, R181, R175, RN8Remove R153Remove R264, R533, R225Add R224Remove R238, add R239Add R186, C192, C196, C215, R198, U33, C467, C486Add RN48, RN47, R429Remove RN42, RN43, R427Remove RN2, add RN49Remove RN45, add RN51Add R347, remove R340Remove R330, add R337Remove RN46, add RN50Remove RN44, add RN52Remove RN72, add RN71...Add U40 (buck converter for GPU_VCORE) and its support components.........and then even if you manage to do all the above and not screw up, you'll probably need to change the BIOS too. My advice is to buy a new mobo and if you really want to then you can get yourself a hot air station and try hacking the old one like above.

author: TheGenesis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 07:10:07 pm
content: Quote from: SandunDhammika on May 06, 2014, 10:17:15 amIts not that hard. Get yourself a cheap chinese temp probe on eBay and a small bottle of flux.Then try the following procedure:1. Place the temp probe on the dye (touching it!) of your gpu. Fix the cable with capton tape beside the bga.2. Take your hot air gun and start with a distance of 20cm-30cm above the bga. While rotating your air gun slowly move it down and warm up (max 3°C/s) the complete bga to about 80°C3. Turn the Board vertically and apply flux above the bga to flood to the balls below. (avoid flooding the capton tape)4. Lay the Board down and continue heating up (like Step 3.) to 235°C. Avoid higher temps (especially dont pass 250°C)!5. Once you reached the peak temp hold it for about 30 seconds.6. Slowly lift your gun (while still circling) until the temp drops down to about 170°C and take the gun away.7. Let the Board/BGA cool down to ambient tempsThe steps from 4 to 6 are critical (RAMP -> PEAK -> COOL). Try not to heat up the bga/board to fast (will crack) and dont touch the board until it has cooled down.Prior to my first "repair" I trained myself on an old Mainboard.If your hot air gun is for houseworking you should protect the surrounding area of the bga (e.g. with capton tape) because their "nozzles" are not very accurateIf it produces to much air and will move the components you should consider to buy a hot air "rework station".P.S. The chinese "temp meters" are only "accurate" the first 3-5 uses ... after that, use a new probe

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 07:17:54 pm
content: Have you tried powering it up on external video (if it supports that) some are not reliant on the GPU to power up external video.You may be able to then test the board properly for other faults.

author: TheGenesis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2014, 07:30:24 pm
content: Quote from: SandunDhammika on May 05, 2014, 08:10:48 amOuch ... haven't reviewed your gpu model. These 4741er using a 310M, right?The 310M is NOT a candidate for the flexing bug ... only the older 8000-Series have problems with the substrate (and btw not with the balls).Do what Shock said and test the external connector.