HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

[davg]

The hp v6000 has had a wireless problem identified and HP had a program up until Jan to do a free repair on some models. The problem is not with the wifi card but is with the mother board. My question is has anyone here experience this problem and if so can anyone offer a fix? Without replacing the mother board or using a usb adapter? I have done some searching but have not found a fix. I have seen one post where the tech over stressed the cpu and claimed to have fixed the problem? Any help from the experts.

[amirbassim]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

hello!
can you describe your problem exactly?

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

hello!
can you describe your problem exactly?

Ya the V6000 has had a problem where the wireless connection just disappears for no good reason. The WiFi light is red even if you turn the switch on or off. The device do not show up in the device manager so installing a device driver is not an option. I understand that it may be caused by overheating?

[T[0]P [0]NE]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

If your laptop is AMD based, there's a huge chance the GPU (Graphics) is going out,this is one of many issues of result of failure GPU, non-functional WiFi, sound...and finally it goes a time you the screen stay black when you try to power on your lappy, google HP laptop failure GPU WIFi

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

If your laptop is AMD based, there's a huge chance the GPU (Graphics) is going out,this is one of many issues of result of failure GPU, non-functional WiFi, sound...and finally it goes a time you the screen stay black when you try to power on your lappy, google HP laptop failure GPU WIFi

Thanks T(0)P (0)NE yes it is an AMD and you did give me a source of some good reading. I may try the re-soldering trick. Nothing to loose.

[amirbassim]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

hello!

that I understand, your only problem is with wireless?
the icon disapears in windows? and you can't see it in device manager?
if this is? in the bios, the wireless is actived?

[amirbassim]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

maybe, you haven't the wireless card plugged in the laptop?

[mattbrad2]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

It's the nVidia GPU/northbridge. You'll need to reflow it to make it work again. This is one of the initial warning signs that your GPU is dying. Economically, you are much better off just cleaning out that heatsink and installing a nano-USB wireless for $10-$20

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

It's the nVidia GPU/northbridge. You'll need to reflow it to make it work again. This is one of the initial warning signs that your GPU is dying. Economically, you are much better off just cleaning out that heatsink and installing a nano-USB wireless for $10-$20

I know a USB is an option as a mater of fact I am using one now. I understand that eventually I will loose the video? Already I have two vertical lines on the screen. I am not sure if these are related to the problem? I am thinking of re-flowing if I can get enough info to build my confidences.

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

How long should one hold the heat to this chip and is there a way to determine if the solder has re-flowed?

[mattbrad2]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

How long should one hold the heat to this chip and is there a way to determine if the solder has re-flowed?

Well, this depends really. The better you can actually reach ~220C the better and longer it will last. Of course you will need professional tools to pull this off. In my experience, you're probably better off doing nothing until it actually dies (no video). This could be months or years. Doing anything DIY at this point could do more harm than good. I'd stay with the USB wireless and wait it out OR take it / ship it to a professional who can reball the GPU.

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

Well, this depends really. The better you can actually reach ~220C the better and longer it will last. Of course you will need professional tools to pull this off. In my experience, you're probably better off doing nothing until it actually dies (no video). This could be months or years. Doing anything DIY at this point could do more harm than good. I'd stay with the USB wireless and wait it out OR take it / ship it to a professional who can reball the GPU.

By professional tools I assume a good heat gun? I have read some forums where they have revived the wireless by this method?. I also assume that re-balling is rather expensive and I am not even sure if it is even available in Eastern Canada? So all in all it is cheaper to purchase new than to repair???

[mattbrad2]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

By professional tools I assume a good heat gun? I have read some forums where they have revived the wireless by this method?. I also assume that re-balling is rather expensive and I am not even sure if it is even available in Eastern Canada? So all in all it is cheaper to purchase new than to repair???

The problem is you stand a far better chance of ruining the GPU than actually fixing it (even with a decent heat gun). No heat gun is going to get you a permanent fix - even re-work stations costing thousands won't be a permanent fix. A properly done reflow will only net you another 6-8 months tops. Your still getting video which is a good thing. The other option is to purchase a refurbished motherboard from a reputable source on ebay and outright replace the motherboard. I've seen dv6000 boards for $60-70. In fact now that I think about it, this would be a far better option for you. Like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/431364-001-C...ht_1487wt_1163

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

The problem is you stand a far better chance of ruining the GPU than actually fixing it (even with a decent heat gun). No heat gun is going to get you a permanent fix - even re-work stations costing thousands won't be a permanent fix. A properly done reflow will only net you another 6-8 months tops. Your still getting video which is a good thing. The other option is to purchase a refurbished motherboard from a reputable source on ebay and outright replace the motherboard. I've seen dv6000 boards for $60-70. In fact now that I think about it, this would be a far better option for you. Like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/431364-001-C...ht_1487wt_1163

Thanks mattbrad appreciate your input. Still cheaper to purchase new than to repair. 65.00 for the board 40.00 shipping and taxes? but I agree with you that it is the better option. How trustworthy are these refurbished boards? What are the chances of this problem reoccurring even with a replacement board? Is there something I should do or can do to prevent the video from going or is the damage done. I do have two vertical lines down the screen but I am not sure this is one of the symptoms?

[mattbrad2]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

I'm thinking the lines are a separate issue. Does your model have dedicated video ram? If so, then the problem could be there; if shared memory then its probably just an LCD issue.

Yes - the boards you find online are usually reworked boards and will probably fail again eventually. Considering the DV's had near 100% failure rates your chances of finding one that will work for an extended period are going to be slim. What I would do is email the people selling these and ask if they've been reworked. I would try and find one that hasn't had problems "yet". Keeping it cool is the only thing you can do to help. Keep the heatsink clean and dust free. Flash ads, playing videos online (again.. flash) and games will cause the most stress on the GPU so keep these to a minimum. These laptops were billed as a multimedia machine and as such got put through the ringer by consumers. They just aren't cut out for it though.

[999999999]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

^ The chances of it reoccurring again with a replacement board are high, it's somewhat a mystery why this laptop has even lasted as long as it has unless it wasn't used very often.

Screen corruption can be a symptom, or it might not be. Depends which solder balls break first, what goes out before the whole thing stops working. FWIW, I had a DV6000, it failed under warranty and I had HP repair it by putting a new mainboard in. Got it back, confirmed it worked and sold it to a friend cheap with him knowing the history of the system. It still works for him at the moment but his wifi has already failed (again).

I'd get any valuable data off, keep using it with a USB wifi dongle, then when it dies someday part it out and sell everything but the mainboard on ebay. It should last longer if you don't let the northbridge/GPU get very hot, for example not playing 3D games or watching GPU accelerated video (movies, youtube, adobe flash, etc).

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

I'm thinking the lines are a separate issue. Does your model have dedicated video ram? If so, then the problem could be there; if shared memory then its probably just an LCD issue.

Yes - the boards you find online are usually reworked boards and will probably fail again eventually. Considering the DV's had near 100% failure rates your chances of finding one that will work for an extended period are going to be slim. What I would do is email the people selling these and ask if they've been reworked. I would try and find one that hasn't had problems "yet". Keeping it cool is the only thing you can do to help. Keep the heatsink clean and dust free. Flash ads, playing videos online (again.. flash) and games will cause the most stress on the GPU so keep these to a minimum. These laptops were billed as a multimedia machine and as such got put through the ringer by consumers. They just aren't cut out for it though.

Thanks again and to 99999.. What about the penny trick that some have used does that increase cooling? Of course my model has a pad rather than thermal grease and silver tape on the cpu could this have contributed to the problem and is there something that needs to be done in that area? I noticed that the silver tape was torn where the heat sink sets on my unit so I added thermal grease to the top of it?? Is this good or bad?

[999999999]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

^ I doubt that will matter, sub-optimal heatsinking of the CPU could slightly REDUCE the problem, if the CPU were to get hotter then the fan would ramp up in speed sooner and the northbridge would be cooled better. It is ironic that this is the situation when so often we think a cooler CPU is better but not when the same heatsink is used for both chips and fan RPM is determined by CPU temperature.

The penny trick or equivalent improvement in heatsinking could reduce the chances or degradation rate, of further damage but with there already being signs of damage present, it seems a bit futile. It is certainly something you could try if the system is valuable to you but I would assume it will be dead within a year either way.

[999999999]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

Also, if you have not updated the bios, HP released a BIOS that ramps up fan speed sooner to cool the northbridge better. Of course it will be a bit louder. Be sure the system is 100% stable if you attempt to update the bios.

[davg]

Re: HP Presario v6000 wireless problem

Also, if you have not updated the bios, HP released a BIOS that ramps up fan speed sooner to cool the northbridge better. Of course it will be a bit louder. Be sure the system is 100% stable if you attempt to update the bios.

Thanks 9999... I did take the BIOS up grade, didn't notice any problems. I will just take your advise and wait for it to die completely.