Here’s how I fixed a Compaq Presario V6000 motherboard with “no video” issue. Not sure if this fix will last forever but it works and the laptop is back to life.
Also, this fix might work for the following HP/Compaq laptop motherboards: HP Pavilion dv2000/dv6000/dv9000, Compaq Presario V3000 and probably some other models.
WARNING!
This repair might be harmful for your health and baking motherboard in an oven could be a bad idea. It could be toxic. I don’t know if it is or not. I did this repair for myself, at my own risk. I’m just sharing my experience. If you decide to fix your motherboard the same way, please do it at your own risk.
Again, proceed at your own risk. Otherwise, close this page and take your laptop to the professional repair shop.
FIXING “NO VIDEO” ISSUE BY BAKING THE MOTHERBOARD.
Problem description: I had an abandoned Compaq Presario V6000 laptop. The laptop was turning on when I press on the power button but after a few seconds turning off by itself. There was no video on the laptop screen or external monitor. I tried another AC adapter, new memory modules but it didn’t help. I was pretty sure this is motherboard related failure.
Research: After I did some research on the Internet, I found that this is a known problem with Pavilion dv2000/dv6000/dv9000 and Presario V3000/V6000 motherboards and most likely related to the graphics chip failure. The graphics chip (aka GPU or video chip) is soldered to the motherboard. Apparently, there are bad solder joints between the graphics chip and motherboard. Overtime the graphics chip separates from the motherboard causing all kind of different video problems.
Possible solution: One guy suggested baking the failed motherboard in a conventional oven preheated to 385 degrees Fahrenheit for exactly 8 minutes. This process should reflow the graphics chip solder joints and give the motherboard a second life.
I had nothing to lose and decided to give it a try. Here’s how I did it step by step.
First of all, you’ll have to disassemble the laptop and remove the motherboard.
STEP 1.
Remove all peripheral components installed on the motherboard (memory, cooling module, CPU, etc…). Remove all protective films from the motherboard. The motherboard will be baking at a very high temperature and all that can burn has to be removed.
Tip: Make lots of pictures while stripping down the motherboard. They will help you to put all removed protective films back in proper locations.
STEP 2.
Here’s how the same side of the motherboard looks without protective plastic films.
You can see the problematic graphics chip, it’s on the right side from the CPU socket.
STEP 3.
Remove all protective plastic films from the other side of the motherboard. Disconnect the audio cable.
STEP 4.
The motherboard will be seating in the oven on the baking pan. In order to elevate the motherboard above the baking pan I’ll use a few screws.
STEP 5.
I installed screws in four corners of the motherboard. There are plenty holes for screws.
STEP 6.
You can see there is a 3/4 inch gap between the motherboard and desk surface. By the way, I positioned the motherboard so the graphics chip seats on the top.
STEP 7.
Place the motherboard on the baking pan. Make sure it’s not touching anything.
Preheat the conventional gas oven to 385 degrees Fahrenheit and place the motherboard in the middle of the oven for 8 minutes. You’ll smell some burning plastic in about 6 minutes. 
After that remove the baking pan with motherboard and let it cool down for about 30-40 minutes.
Install the motherboard back into the laptop, assemble the laptop back together and see if it works.
This fix worked for me! After I assembled the laptop, it started properly right away taking me to the BIOS setup menu. I didn’t have the hard drive, so I tested my laptop with a Knoppix live Linux CD. The laptop video works great!
RELATED POSTS:
In the next post I’ll show a much safer way to fix same problem using bubble wrap. Which requires no laptop disassembly.
Here’s another way to fix failed NVIDIA graphics card with a heat gun.
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July 7th, 2010 at 9:13 am
I fix computers. Yes, I know there’s a lot of dead HP / Compaq laptop going around, and this “fix” might be a cheap way for people to get a few more months out of their laptops. However, it doesn’t fix underlying problem.
Whether you have an Intel ATI or nVidia model makes little difference, the type of motherboard HP uses in their laptops is always going to dissipate a LOT of heat. It’s thinner than most boards, and heats more quickly. Overheating doesn’t just make solder brittle. Overheating damages the CPU, GPU and memory controller chips all at once. If something is revived, there always a chance some other part will fail next…
@author Please edit this article to include a WARNING about toxic fumes.
There’s a lot of debate, but the lead in solder can burn off, especially above 400° and lead fumes are a known cancer-causing agent in the state of California. The plastic fumes might be just as bad, I don’t know, but at the very least, clean your oven afterward. Ok, everyone?
July 5th, 2010 at 8:54 am
I heard this fix only works on nvidia chip. What about ati or intel gpu?
July 4th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
wow! it worked for me! total pain in the ass though. hp…what a bunch of chumps. anyone had this problem re-occur after the oven fix?
July 4th, 2010 at 10:03 am
I could not believed this actually worked.
I tried it once and put the mobo in the oven for 8 minutes at 385 degrees but still no video. I was dissappointed but the following day I decided to give it another shot. This time I put it at 400 degrees and for 9 minutes and I cant believe it worked. So if it doesnt work the first time, try doing it a second, and maybe even a third, but dont give up.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:38 pm
That’s an ingenious solution for a bad solder joint. Only do something like this when you have nothing to lose. Again, very impressive.
July 2nd, 2010 at 6:06 am
I did exactly by baking my HP dv9000 mother board and after fixing it .The VIDEO came back to life. Though i don’t know how long it will serve, but my Video problem is resolved. I really thank you for your online service.
July 1st, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Picked up a used V6000 for cheap with no video and tried this. Took some time to post which had me worried but then I got video and it works great!
I would really like to find or make a shim for the thermal pad over the GPU. I would think something like that might help it out a bit.
Thanks for the guide and all the good comments.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Hi i have a Dell Inspiron 5100 motherboard which is dead have put in oven when i took mit out there is a little battery that has come off, does any one know what this does.
Thanks Colin
June 29th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I’ve heard you can use a blow dryer. Would that work without having to disassemble the laptop?
June 28th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I bought a persario v6000 off Craigslist about a month ago. After two weeks the wifi stopped working, then about a week later I went to turn on my laptop and it would just keep trying to reboot every 20sec or so and nothing would come on the screen. I read this posting and thought, what do I have to loose? I’m not a computer guy by any means, never taken one apart. Last night I was up until 3am taking the thing apart and puting it back together. I put the mobo in the oven for 8mins at 385 degrees. I’m now posting this comment with my Persario. I can’t believe this worked. Hopefully it will last, don’t want to go through that process again LOL!! Thanks so much for the info.