Sony Vaio VPCEA1S1E dead display system

[geo3geo3]

Nothing at all on laptop display and using external HDMI display doesn't work either - pressing  Func+F7 to select.
I've removed hard drive (in case it's faulty) and I'm booting off a DVD system disc which sounds like it's loading but with no video I can't progress.
Any ideas?

[Thalamus.]

Hi geo3geo3,

welcome to the Sony user community..

From what you say this doesn’t sound good, I suspect there is a problem with the graphics chip.. 

[geo3geo3]

Yes, that's what I was thinking, but hoping I'd missed something.

[TheRealOG]

Hey there, maybe it's time to send for inspection, here's the location:

https://locator.sony/en_GB/servicecenters/?zoom=5&latitude=54.29088&longitude=-2.37305&categories=pe...

[Thalamus.]

Hi geo3geo3,

Yes, sorry it was not the answer you were hoping for..

Unfortunately the graphics chips in  VAIO’s are not economically replaceable as they are part of and soldered to the motherboard..

Maybe it is time to look for a replacement laptop .. 😉

[geo3geo]

Already have a replacement laptop, this one I gave to my daughter. I'm looking for a replacement motherboard if anyone has one -:

Noticed the fan was switching on within about 10 seconds so stripped out the cooling system &   both chips are dry so I suspect the graphics chip overheated and a solder joint has melted. Put a blob of heat conductive paste on both chips, reassembled and the fan now doesn't come on.  Interesting but a bit late in the day!

[MaggieGreene]

@geo3geo3 You need to contact Sony to see what they can help with.

[Thalamus.]

Hi geo3geo,

Happy New year, sorry for the delay in getting back to you..

Another option that you could consider is a solder reflow of the graphics chip, etc have a search for reflow repairers in your area..

However as mentioned before it might not be economical viable to spend too much money on this..

Or as two others from the Sony Community team have mentioned you could try contacting Sony for a repair but this is not a route I would recommend due to the costs, etc, nor do I even know if Sony repair VAIO anymore. 

[geo3geo]

Thanks for advice, but I've already excluded those possibilities, as you say not worth it. And the reflow may not work anyway!

Also, while everything points to the graphics, it could actually be the display.

I'll hang on in case the same model comes up anywhere really cheap  as 'not working - for spares' than I could swap the motherboard. But I fear my lovely Sony is destined for scrap.