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    8920G - no BIOS, no video, no beeps

    Discussion in 'Acer' started by ugly_bear, May 30, 2011.

  1. ugly_bear

    ugly_bear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Pretty much like it says in the thread title - the fans all come on and hard drives whirr, but the laptop doesn't POST, and there is zero video output. It's not a case of a bad backlight/inverter, because then you could at least see stuff under a strong light. The screen is just blank now.

    I tried removing both sticks of RAM and HDDs but still the same. Tried holding down the power button with and without the battery, not use. There are no BIOS beeps either, which sucks cause I can't diagnose what it could be. I'm afraid it's a bad video card, even though the GPU fan spins up.

    For the record, this happened after I installed Office 2010 (most likely unrelated) and hit restart. Never had any video artifacts show up even under gaming to support my broken video card theory though.

    Any ideas? I appreciate any input, thanks.
     
  2. .NetRolller 3D

    .NetRolller 3D Notebook Deity

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    Remove the MXM video card, and try to boot.
    If it is a video card issue, you should get a white screen, and hear Windows booting in the background.
     
  3. ugly_bear

    ugly_bear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks, any guides on that? Will give it a shot later.
     
  4. tuηay

    tuηay o TuNaY o

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    It should be easy and pretty forward actually..
     
  5. ugly_bear

    ugly_bear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Looks like I have to remove the heatsink/fan to disconnect the GPU. Can someone confirm that? Unfortunately I don't have any thermal paste on me, so I'd rather not bother then, and just take it for repair :(
     
  6. mookill

    mookill Notebook Geek

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    just replaced my vid card a few weeks ago.

    all u need to do is remove the FAN - 3 screws.

    remove the VGA card - 2 screws

    gently pull the card out of the PCI slot with the heatsink attached.
     
  7. ugly_bear

    ugly_bear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well damn. It is the GPU - like you said NetRolller, I can hear Windows booting in the background now that I've removed it (Mookill, thanks for the instructions, it was a breeze.)

    Thanks to both of you guys - now, I don't suppose anyone knows how much a replacement 9650M GS goes for? :D

    edit: NetRolller, you're a genius, I just saw this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/acer/575866-possible-fix-acer-x920g-vs-geforce-9600m-gt-issue.html

    I'll see if I can get my hands on a 9600m GT myself and test it with the 8920g.
     
  8. Vivianvo

    Vivianvo Newbie

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    i have acer 8920 but the laptop doesn't POST, and there is zero video output...i try memory, cpu, lcd, lcd cable still didn't help, i removed GPU card still same problem...NO Windows booting in the background. PLEASE HELP!

    Thanks,