No, I didn't take the card out. from what I researched, the main reason why video card is out is because between the GPU video chip and the cooler thing is not sticking together anymore. it is dried out. Need to remove the old metal glue by alcohol and put the new metal glue on it then it will work great. It happened to all the HP laptops. I can send the pics if you are really interested. I have a phone number that will do resolider (whatever that spell) for around 100, but other business you can find will do 100 or less. I found one will do 100. it is easily $500 laptop because 2 GB video card.