Sony video, where is the chip/card?

net_coma · 04-13-2008, 09:51 AM

I have a Sony PGC-GRV550 and have a problem I am sure is the video hardware. The problem is somewhat random and varies from lines in the display to pixel distortions at random. Yesterday I connected to an external monitor and as I switched from one to the other the problem remained the same on both. It teases me now and then when it reacts to movement of the LCD panel.

I have looked for an ATI Mobility 7500C card for a Sony and find nothing. I found some information yesterday that indicates mine has a chip on the MB but no info on configuration, replacement or if it is plug in or soldered to the board and where on the board is the dang thing located. I did some disassembly yesterday and could not find it.

Any insight into what I am looking for as replacement hardware is greatly appreciated. I bought this thing new several years ago and it is perfect for what I want out of a laptop, use in the garage, patio, angle viewing of the display is great and it is still fast enough for what I want a laptop to do.

Thanks a ton for any info.

**TriggerFinger** · 04-13-2008, 09:55 AM

hi net_coma,

if it is integrated, it should be on the board with a big 'ATi'. try to remove the heat spreaders, i am guessing it might be located under them. the video chip is almost always near the CPU.

net_coma · 04-13-2008, 10:05 AM

I removed the speaker panel and keyboard and was able to find the two video connections but did not see the video chip. I will open it again and take another look.

04-13-2008, 09:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
net_coma Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 47 OS: xp, 2000	Sony video, where is the chip/card? I have a Sony PGC-GRV550 and have a problem I am sure is the video hardware. The problem is somewhat random and varies from lines in the display to pixel distortions at random. Yesterday I connected to an external monitor and as I switched from one to the other the problem remained the same on both. It teases me now and then when it reacts to movement of the LCD panel. I have looked for an ATI Mobility 7500C card for a Sony and find nothing. I found some information yesterday that indicates mine has a chip on the MB but no info on configuration, replacement or if it is plug in or soldered to the board and where on the board is the dang thing located. I did some disassembly yesterday and could not find it. Any insight into what I am looking for as replacement hardware is greatly appreciated. I bought this thing new several years ago and it is perfect for what I want out of a laptop, use in the garage, patio, angle viewing of the display is great and it is still fast enough for what I want a laptop to do. Thanks a ton for any info.

04-13-2008, 09:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,853 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: Sony video, where is the chip/card? hi net_coma, if it is integrated, it should be on the board with a big 'ATi'. try to remove the heat spreaders, i am guessing it might be located under them. the video chip is almost always near the CPU. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

04-13-2008, 10:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
net_coma Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ft. Worth Posts: 47 OS: xp, 2000	Re: Sony video, where is the chip/card? I removed the speaker panel and keyboard and was able to find the two video connections but did not see the video chip. I will open it again and take another look.