hi Nigel
You are the only helpful guy around??
btw...know you for years thank you for
your advices all this time.
I don't think graphics cards and mainboard schematics are readily available as it happens with other commercial products.
so I guess I couldn't get my hands on the schematic of XFX's implementation radeon 6870.. i have some schematics though from some laptop motherboards etc.
now about the issue with the graphics card I've noticed if I heat certain areas of the PCB the resistance in the short circuit rails drops, after alot of effort I believe the problem is in the area in the following picture.
but still I cannot detect the specific component because after i reflowed the GPU the heat seems it stressed more the affected component and now the resistance is almost not measurable ( few mOhms)
also freeze spray proved handy to locate the problem area..but now neither that can be useful to isolate the specific component.
how can I find it inside this mess of tiny SMDs??
P.S what I'm doing for most computer service shops in my area either they don't know (can't do it), or its not worth the working hours spent, so they only replace the graphics card for their costumer.
for me its outside my job matter..I'm just trying to help a friend in difficult economic situation to save a graphics card once costed 170 EUR.
me I wouldn't spent so much for a graphics card my onboard covers my needs perfectly, but gamers its different story, they need these extra FPS!