Dead HD6950 how to troubleshoot?

[jimbobcress]

Hi have a HD6950 that mysteriously stopped working one day. Fans spin when turning on pc but it prevents pc from booting even with an intergrated graphics on the cpu. What steps can I take to troubleshoot the fault? I have basic electronics skills but always want to know more.
Any help even how small is appreciated.

[piernov]

Re: Dead HD6950 how to troubleshoot?

Very likely dead GPU.

[dicky96]

Re: Dead HD6950 how to troubleshoot?

Hi jimbob
Start by checking for short circuits on the voltage supply rails. All graphics cards a similar in this respect.

Watch this video - completely different card but yours will have similar layout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc3E4oR_o_Q&t=573s


Post some good guality pics of your card with the heatsink removed

Rich

[jimbobcress]

Re: Dead HD6950 how to troubleshoot?

Hi Rich,

Here are some photos of the card.

Thanks for any help

[momaka]

Re: Dead HD6950 how to troubleshoot?

Very likely dead GPU.

I suspect the same as well. Large die ATI/AMD GPUs are just problematic (not that nVidia ones aren't.)
That's not to say I discourage any troubleshooting. The steps that dicky96 suggested in the video are a good start. But just keep in mind that it might be another unrepairable card... so use that to meter how much time and effort you want to put into this card.

I'd personally chuck it for a quick reflow/re-heat and see if it comes out alive. If yes, you know the problem was GPU. If no and you didn't go over-board with the heat, then no harm to the GPU really and you can continue troubleshooting normally. I just prefer the reflow/reheat method, as it saves me time troubleshooting on these big GPUs.