laptop Distorted screen on laptop

[toastyv]

Hi everyone,

 

I was given an old laptop and I'd like to repurpose this with Linux. It's an old Acer 5940G with an i7 720QM processor, Radeon HD 4650 graphics and 4gb of RAM. It boots up fine although there is something odd with the display; it's terribly distorted! Refer to the image attached.

 

Originally I thought this was a hardware issue with the display; hooked it up with an external monitor and it produces the same thing even in the BIOS. This leads me to think that the GPU is the issue.;

 

I don't have any spares hard drives around so I used a bootable USB stick with Windows 10 on it so that I can install drivers from here https://www.acer.com/ac/en/ID/content/support-product/1337;-;. Even tried to update the Radeon 4650 graphics drivers and still no luck.

 

On a completely separate note, the Blu Ray disc drive is absent and I'd like to fill the void. What else can I use in place so that dust can't get in?

 

What is the best way around this?

 

[Anghammarad]

My tuppence, 

 

the GFX unit in your laptop is broken. Drivers won't fix that. 

 

With that, if you don't have an IGPU which isn't the gfx unit, you are out of luck and may forget about the empty bluray bay, because you need a new laptop.

 

Sorry to bring the sad news.

[toastyv]

Hi @Anghammarad,

 

Thanks for your reply and comments! Damn so the laptop's GPU is completely cooked? That really sucks.

 

Is there a way to replace the GPU or are most laptop graphic cards soldered on?

 

Would love to repurpose this laptop still given that it works. Can anyone suggest anything? Am thinking of a NAS server such as OMV.

[BetteBalterZen]

48 minutes ago, toastyv said:

Hi @Anghammarad,

 

Thanks for your reply and comments! Damn so the laptop's GPU is completely cooked? That really sucks.

 

Is there a way to replace the GPU or are most laptop graphic cards soldered on?

 

Would love to repurpose this laptop still given that it works. Can anyone suggest anything? Am thinking of a NAS server such as OMV.

Can't replace GPU's in laptops unfortunately

[toastyv]

Hi @BetteBalterZen,

 

Thanks for your comment. No worries, will probably try to make this a home NAS server using OMV since this laptop can't be used properly.

[toastyv]

In a really strange twist of events... the GPU on the laptop magically fixed itself! Laptop was on for almost hours until this happened.

 

Is it safe to say that the laptop is now back in working condition and the issue was a once off? Or because of the display issue previously it will likely occur again?

 

 

[zulc22]

1 hour ago, toastyv said:

In a really strange twist of events... the GPU on the laptop magically fixed itself! Laptop was on for almost hours until this happened.

 

Is it safe to say that the laptop is now back in working condition and the issue was a once off? Or because of the display issue previously it will likely occur again?

 

 

i wouldn't give it to someone else unless it stays fine for like a month, and even then i would give it to someone i know so that i can be responsible for it failing. i've had intermittent issues that aren't as bad as this before and sometimes that just DOES happen; all you can do is just wait and see if it breaks again. maybe cold solder, loose metal inside, or something else physical caused this?

[toastyv]

Hi @zulc22,

 

Sorry for the late reply; yes I agree with what you say. My luck ran short because the GPU issue returned.

 

Managed to salvage the laptop still and using it as a NAS server with OMV.