On Board Graphics output broken - Is repair feasible?

[veritasffg]

I have a custom built PC - about 4 years old, running XP home.  The system centers on a Gigabyte motherboard, with on-board graphics.  The graphics unit apparently took a hit from a surge or something, and now does not output a signal.  Do any of you hardware folks out there know whether it is feasible, or perhaps too expensive, to replace the graphics module?  The module is soldered to the motherboard, and is located immediately behind the VGA output port.  Thus, there are no cables to be checked/replaced, and no other connections to be responsible for the lack of output.  It just appears that the module is not working.  The PC and all its other components appear to be in good shape.  Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.

[patio]

It's normally not cost effective as you need above average soldering skills to do this...
Coupled with the fact that A) a replacement chip may be hard to find and
B) Onboard video doesn't come close to the quality of video cards i would say no...

[veritasffg]

Patio:

Thanks for the reply.  Am I correct in thinking that, if I can find a PCI graphics board for the one empty slot I have, all I need to do is plug in the card and forget the onboard graphics thingie?

[JJ 3000]

You have to disable the onboard graphics in BIOS. Then install your GPU's driver.

[veritasffg]

Well - I figured it would be necessary to disable the onboard graphics output - but I will first have to put the new graphics board in, then boot up, using the new card, BEFORE I can see the BIOS to disable the onboard stuff.  If I can see to do so, I'll disable the onboard graphics before I install the new board's driver.  Anything else?

Thanks.

[JJ 3000]

You should be able to do that.

[veritasffg]

Thanks JJ 3000.  Wish me luck.

[Broni]

You have to disable the onboard graphics in BIOS

Most newer video cards will do this automatically.

[patio]

You wouldn't know it for how many times it gets recommended here.

[veritasffg]

Broni:

That's reassuring - and what a logical thing to do - cutting off the onboard graphics automatically. 

Thanks to all who posted.

[veritasffg]

Well - I have a brand new Radeon 9250 PCI card installed.  Trouble is - it apparently does NOT automatically switch off the onboard graphics, nor does it activate graphics from the PCI bus.  I get no display at all - so I can't get to the BIOS to set the necessary switches.  What a catch 22 - can't get a display without setting the BIOS; can't set the BIOS without a display.  Does anyone out there have any suggestions as to a way out of this mess?

[Broni]

it apparently does NOT automatically switch off the onboard graphics

I doubt, this is correct diagnosis. I think, you may have some other problem (mobo?), since it "took a hit from a surge or something".

[veritasffg]

That's a VERY discouraging thought, Broni.  Since the machine appears to actually boot up in every respect I can discern (non-visually of course), I have assumed that the problem was just the graphics module.  The PC (including the onboard graphics) worked perfectly a couple of days ago.  It was disconnected, transported back to its owner, hooked up, and, ta-da, no display whatever.  No prior warning or symptom of any hardware problem.  Is there any simple way to isolate the problem without a display?  Anyone?

[patio]

Unplug all power to the machine and remove a side panel...
Make sure you are grounded by touching/holding the case.
Re-seat the RAM and any add on cards that are connected,
Double check all drive connectors.
For now leave the side panel off...re-connect power and boot up,
Any change ? ?

[Broni]

That's a VERY discouraging thought, Broni.

It was simply a thought. I hope, I'm wrong.
See, what happens with patio's advice...