I don't suppose you know any tricks to get a gfx card working again? My flatmates laptop has died, definitely the vid card but I think it's onboard. Admittedly I've not opened it yet! Dell vostro 1510.
The most common laptop fault around unfortunately, as I'm sure you probably already know it's to do with fractures in the solder beneath the chip.
Anyone who says they reflow them - its a complete waste of time and NOT a permanent repair. A guy at Newcastle (shop is called Staffordshire computers) has the kit to do a professional reball and uses leaded solder balls for a more likely to be permanent repair and charges £85 - but still only gives a 90 day warranty. There are people who reball for less via eBay, but then DO THEY REBALL or just reflow?? I've never had the confidence to try them.
If you want a temporary repair that should get it going again but probably only last a few weeks or so then you could do a self reflow. There are many methods online including oven baking your motherboard for several minutes, candling the chip using a tea-light candle tin full of burning spirit sat on top of the chip until it burns out etc. I've had limited success with these methods.
My chosen TEMPORARY repair method is usually to open up the case and disconnect the fan power then power up the machine and allow the chip to cook itself for 25 to 30 minutes or (only if sooner) until it switches itself off. Whichever method you use DONT MOVE THE BOARD until it has fully cooled.
This is one of those problems that laptop manufacturers SHOULD take the blame for but never do. Admittedly it happens because they are no longer allowed to use leaded solder,but instead they should start focusing on more reliable cooling methods. When they produce these laptops, they KNOW it will happen sooner or later. Of course the best preventative measure is regular cleaning of the fan in addition to never blocking the bottom vent by using on legs /bedding etc.
ANYONE READING THIS PLEASE TAKE NOTE
My advice is to never use laptops on fabric unless sitting it on a tray etc in order for the air to circulate. Also NEVER use "Shake& Vac" as the stuff is lethal to computers!!!!