Sometimes, your GPU's will just decide to stop working:
 

 
So, instead of throwing them in the garbage, try baking them in the oven. 
 
Now for the guide:
 
NOTE:  I am not responsible if you break something following this guide.  This is not guaranteed to work, but is an option.
 
Things you'll need (other than the oven; can't fit into the picture):
 
 

 
A verbal version:
 

• The GPU's
• Some thermal paste
• A bowl to keep the screws in (optional)
• A baking tray
• Some aluminum foil
• rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls
• Assorted screwdrivers
• Nintendo DS (for keeping occupied during the baking and cooling; optional)
• Timer (very useful)

 
first, preheat the oven to 385 F.  you can work on other things while it is preheating.
 

 
second, disassemble the GPU however you need to:
 

 

 
Remember to check for hidden screws under the backplate (if needed;  mine have 2 each)
 

 
Now pull the cooler off of the card.  remember to unplug the fan cord (it is on in this picture):
 

 
You can leave the IO plate on the card.
 
now, clean the thermal paste of of the GPU and cooler. you want it nice and shiny.  KEEP THE THERMAL PADS ON THE COOLER.:
 

 
now, to prepare the baking sheet:
 
Put some foil on the sheet:
 

 
Also, make some foil balls, and slightly flatten the top and bottom.  I was able to use two per GPU, but you may need more if you took the IO plate off:
 

 
 
Place the GPU and foil balls onto the tray:
 

 
I am using the fan header and the power connectors to support the GPU.  DO NOT directly support the PCB.  components can come off, and that is bad.
 

 
 
Repeat these steps for however many GPU's you need to bake  I needed to bake two:
 

 
Now, put the GPU's into your preheated oven:
 

 
Set the timer for 9 minutes, and now wait.  This is where the DS comes in:
 
]
 
Camera glare is annoying.  note that I did come in 1st in that race.  bad start.
 
I also took the opportunity to open the coolers and clean them:
 

 
^^^
The inside of a GTX 280 cooler.  There are SEVEN different heat pipes in it.  I also found a char-grilled moth in one of them.  It was gross.
 
When the 9 minutes is up, IMMEDIATELY turn off the oven and open it.
 

 
Let it cool a little, and then move the tray CAREFULLY to a cooling area.  Be safe.  Use oven mitts.
 
Now kill 15 more minutes, while the GPU's cool.
 
Yay, now you can re-install the coolers, remembering to put fresh thermal paste on the cards.
 
Install the cards in the computer, and get folding
 
Happy Baking!!
 

NICE!

I believe this is too reflow the solder warthorn. Like you said there may be a separation in the solder causes the issue and heating it like this makes the solder to reflow.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflow_soldering

I have done this on my 8800gtx ko 3 times and it works but it isnt a permanent fix.  The first time lasted the longest with 8 months and the second shorter.  The third time was the last time and the last time I used it it was still working but I recently upgraded to a new card.

warthorn

Nice guide and lol @ the DS. This is a great option for people who have cards that are clearly out of warranty.

WD, I think the logic is that some types of failure are caused by small microfractures or separations in solder/circuits/etc. When you heat the cards, those materials soften and expand, sometimes pressing back against one another. As they cool the new bonds harden and it's "like new".

thanks

i have a dead 8800GTX bought at the other forum, the buyer said i could bake it if i want to so he sold the card for $10.00 shipped and i dared to bake it, re-TIMed and viola!!! up and running for a couple of months before i gave it to my brother's and till now still alive and kicking :)

Sorry, hard to hold the camera and the HSF at the same time.  It was gross.
 

meanwhile, here is one of the cards I baked today running furmark:

Very nice guide! Nice to see exactly what you do, hope I never have any problems that I would need to do this. 

Oh no his card got burned up!

Someone had to!

tedster59

meanwhile, I got one of the baked cards up to 1566 shaders, giving 8.2k ppd with the current 494's

Cool

tweak them and you'll need to bake them soon again :P

700_up

Cool, I thought this only worked with a certain card, glad to see it works with all.  It doesn't void warranty does it?  

 
Not sure if it voids warranty (my guess is yes) but if a GPU fails under warranty, RMA it lol

Thank you for posting this. I just purchased a used geforce 9600gt and this worked perfect...and to think I was ready to throw it in the trash.

I hope it does. I was going to sell my Sli setup, but I think I will hold onto them for a bit to see how this one works out.