GPU reflow guide
All VAIOs equipped with a NVIDIA 8000 series GPU suffer from a very unfortunate issue, called Bumpgate. This is caused by the tiny bumps connecting the GPU die to the substrate breaking due to a faulty underfill material used by NVIDIA during that time. This is also the same issue that affects every other laptop equipped with these chips, as well as the fat PS3 consoles. Some AMD GPU equipped VAIOs also suffer from GPU failures, although for a different reason unrelated to bumpgate.
There are 2 ways to fix this issue; the most ideal and longest lasting repair being a chip replacement, as the chip is the problem. However, if you do not get a fixed revision of the chip, there is a possibility of the failure occuring again, and you might not want to spend the money or have the expertise to remove and replace the GPU.
However, an alternate fix is to reflow/reball the chip (this guide will only cover the reflow process). Reflowing is when the chip is heated up to "reflow" or remelt the solder balls, ensuring a solid connection with the motherboard. Consequently, this heating up also shifts the bumps on the die back into position, allowing the GPU to work again. "Reballing" will do the same thing, although instead of heating up the solder balls, you are removing the chip from the motherboard, cleaning it and applying new solder balls to it, then reinstalling the chip back on. This fix is only temporary, and you shouldn't expect the laptop to last more than 1 or 2 months before requiring another reflow and eventually a chip replacement.
Symptoms of GPU failure
Your VAIO may experience the following symptoms that indicate a failing GPU:
- Artifacts on the screen
- Power but no display
- 1 long 2 short beep code - GPU error
- Crashing when loading in to Windows (when the GPU drivers are loaded, may work in safe mode)