Dell issues update for Nvidia graphics chip glitch
Update on July 27 at 10:00 a.m. with additional information
Dell has issued a system update for a well-publicized problem with Nvidia chips.
The company said Friday it has posted BIOS updates for an Nvidia graphics chip glitch affecting laptop computers. Citing Nvidia information, Dell said the "affected GPUs (graphics processing units) are experiencing higher than expected failure rates causing video problems."
"The issue is a weak die/packaging material set, which may fail with GPU temperature fluctuations. If your GPU fails, you may see intermittent symptoms," the Dell blog said.
Dell said the symptoms include "multiple images, random characters on the screen, lines on the screen, no video." But added this caveat: "if you are already experiencing video-related issues like the...points above, updating the BIOS will not correct them. Dell will provide support for customers who have experienced GPU failure according to the terms of the system warranty."
Dell laptop systems potentially affected by Nvidia glitch with update file name
(Credit: Dell)Dell is recommending that users flash their system BIOS. "Each of these BIOS updates...modifies the fan profile to help regulate GPU temperature fluctuations," Dell said.
New systems are shipping with the BIOS update, according to Dell.
On July 2, Nvidia said it would take a one-time charge of between $150 million and $200 million to cover "anticipated warranty, repair, return, replacement, and other costs and expenses, arising from a weak die/packaging material set in certain versions of its previous generation GPU and MCP (multi-chip package) products used in notebook systems."
Brooke Crothers has served as an editor at large at CNET News, an editor at Dow Jones' Asian Wall Street Journal Weekly, and a senior editor at InfoWorld. His CNET blog covers chip technology and computer systems, and how they define the computing experience. He also contributes to The New York Times' Bits and Technology sections. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure. Follow Brooke on Twitter @mbrookec. 
Anthony Kraudelt
6897 Apache Trail
Wixom, MI 48393
If I had one of the affected laptops I would put the crysis demo on a loop until it burned and then get it replaced. If you use this patch all you are doing is helping Dell to rip you off by helping them to keep your defective laptop going until your warranty runs out so you get stuck with the bill DO NOT FALL FOR IT!!!!!
On a laptop system board, there is very little room at all for cooling. These units all use thermal heat pipes that extend out and are shared with the CPU's. That is then cooled by the CPU fan, but that small fan is already working hard to keep up.
Here's the typical problem: Air is drawn up through vents in the bottom of the laptop. This air is drawn across the system board by the CPU fan which then is closecoupled with the CPU heatsink fins. All air is pushed through that heatsink. After six months or so of use, that heatsink builts up dust to the point where it looks like a fine layer of felt on the fins. It can in some cases get so thick that it becomes plugged. Anything on those fins that covers them reduces the cooling capability. That means the fan has to work harder. When the heatsink is blocked no air can get out of the machine. You've got all that hot air inside the laptop and the GPU is the most temperature sensitive of the components.
Canned air blown through the heatsink can help as preventative maintenance. However if it is already too clogged, the only solution is to have the system torn down and cleaned out by a certified service authority to maintain your warranty.
Yes but at least MS admits the problem and extened the warranty 3 years.... sooo can nvidia do the same and admit it.... I think a company that stands by it products and helps out the consumer should be applauded.... who else stands buy there product like this? ???
In Vista's defense... Even thought I do not use it for other reasons unrelated to stability. Most of the issues that Vista has is related to companies complaining that they are being locked out of the Kernel. (ie: mcaffee, Symantech, the virus scanner of your choice) and device manufactures that did not have drivers ready for the OEM's (you know microsofts real customers) This forced Microsoft to keep holes open for older drivers to talk to the kernel. If you want a real vista experience... you will not be able to run many programs or use as many devices.
I don't know who is worse, Dell or Nvidia.
You can check out the status of your Dell system by going to:
http://support.dell.com
You will need your Dell Service Tag / Serial number located on the bottom of the laptop.
BTW, this is the same issue that affect Toshiba Portege M4, M400, Tecra M5, HP nc8430, and much of the Lenovot X/T 60/61 series. Those OEM's are working on their own solutions for this known issue with the GPU overheating.
I was experience intermittent video glitches about 4 weeks ago so I called Dell service who determined that the mother board needed replacing (they did not mention any particular problem with video chips or otherwise). Since it was premium on-site service for which I paid they said a service tech would be out the following Monday (this was on Thursday) to replace it. Monday they informed me that the mother boards were out of stock. Long story short, it took over a week during which I explained that this was my work computer and they apologized like crazy (super sophisticated corporate speak) and told me that defective mother boards and out of stock replacement parts were "beyond their control". Really, they did say that, a supervisor no less!
The mother board was replaced 10 days after the complete failure of the machine. That mother board started exhibiting the same symptoms in exactly one week. The chat service tech wanted me to restore the system to original settings and when I question this he literally disconnected (and no I was not being abusive, I was just not following along like a sheep). So I phoned Dell support and it was determined that the mother board was failing again but this time I had to send the computer back to Dell for repair which would take up to 2 weeks. I explained that it was a work computer and that I could not be without it and asked if they could send me a loaner. They apologized like crazy again and told me "no" because I bought it as an individual rather than as a company so they "couldn't" (I think "wouldn't" a better word) send me a loaner.
So I sent it back and went to Office Depot and bought a Vaio on which I am typing this very comment. The Dell is too unreliable for travel so I've replaced it. It's back of course, sitting on my desk, a really expensive paper weight.
What Dell is good at is corporate speak. What Dell is bad at is truly understanding a customer problem and rectifying it. I'd not pay for premium support again. Indeed, I'll never buy another Dell computer.
I was experience intermittent video glitches about 4 weeks ago so I called Dell service who determined that the mother board needed replacing (they did not mention any particular problem with video chips or otherwise). Since it was premium on-site service for which I paid they said a service tech would be out the following Monday (this was on Thursday) to replace it. Monday they informed me that the mother boards were out of stock. Long story short, it took over a week during which I explained that this was my work computer and they apologized like crazy (super sophisticated corporate speak) and told me that defective mother boards and out of stock replacement parts were "beyond their control". Really, they did say that, a supervisor no less!
The mother board was replaced 10 days after the complete failure of the machine. That mother board started exhibiting the same symptoms in exactly one week. The chat service tech wanted me to restore the system to original settings and when I question this he literally disconnected (and no I was not being abusive, I was just not following along like a sheep). So I phoned Dell support and it was determined that the mother board was failing again but this time I had to send the computer back to Dell for repair which would take up to 2 weeks. I explained that it was a work computer and that I could not be without it and asked if they could send me a loaner. They apologized like crazy again and told me "no" because I bought it as an individual rather than as a company so they "couldn't" (I think "wouldn't" a better word) send me a loaner.
So I sent it back and went to Office Depot and bought a Vaio on which I am typing this very comment. The Dell is too unreliable for travel so I've replaced it. It's back of course, sitting on my desk, a really expensive paper weight.
What Dell is good at is corporate speak. What Dell is bad at is truly understanding a customer problem and rectifying it. I'd not pay for premium support again. Indeed, I'll never buy another Dell computer.
I have (had ) a Vostro 1400, before I was really happy with the machine until it starting getting hot and exhibiting problems like vertical lines, crashing (ie read Graphics card). Had a technician come through on the warranty (thank god for onsite support) thought it initally was a driver issue mistakenly, then was told it was graphics card problem with motherboard. Anyway techie formatted hard drive before crash ,had no motherboard. next time came (3 days later, after the problem was not reported) with motherboard, told they weren't told to reinstall OS!!! Came with new Motherboard, then toggle Wifi switch wouldn't work. Another 2 days later came with yet another Motherboard, still same problem with wifi switch. ...Bottom line, have now hotline email address to supervisor in technical support. now have a replacement Vostro 1310 coming. I'm definitely extending my warranty, as it comes with the same chip!!! Still now worried that my motherboard is going to continuously be replaced (and out of warranty now with the "fix", I'm of the same opinion, it's to shaft the consumer so that Dell won't need to send a technician to replace the MB all over again)
PS I first reported the issue the first week of July. am only getting replacement 8 AUG! ( having parts in stock is out of their control apparantly).
PPS Sorry for the longwinded comment .
Replacement motherboards for everyone?
On the other side, so far they have shipped me a desktop card (I let them look up the part number) now my computer has been down almost a month because they keep on changing my order and setting the delivery date back another week or two! (This is a cash order, not warranty- and the Dell parts person told me that they have 1,004 cards in stock!)
Their Customer service is terrible, all they will do is repeat over and over exactly what you can look up yourself online, they interupt you when you are talking, and hang up or transfer you to sales every chance they get. I am to the point that i don't care if they ever send the new card, i am going to make it my personel project to call them every day and give them hell, just like their junk computer has given me the past two years (BTW- third HD, second battery, and a flaky power supply- all the hard drives were refused under warranty- one they said they would replace, but I had the wrong address, (?????) so they refused to ship it!!!!)
Makes me want to buy a Mac....
Dell had only after hours of arguing down the phone replace me with a new laptop with a weaker graphics card 3450 ati. I was dissapointed, so more nagging and complaining (2 weeks infact) they gave me a 1555 studio with 4570 ati. UGH!! They FINALLY HELPED!!
- by scottthesculptor July 7, 2009 7:52 AM PDT
- I've got a precision M4300 - same quadro 360M nvidia card as the M2300.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (31 Comments)Not on the list of effected models.
But I have to use it propped up on a fan so that the video doesn't slow down.
Or keeping the CPU from going into thermal throttle-back (shows 27% CPU usage with no programs running)
Repeatedly tried re-encoding a blu-ray movie and watching HDTV at the same - BSOD after an average of 20 minutes even with the fan. One out of five gets a thermal shutdown code from the mainboard. Does one or the other with no problems (as long as it's on the fan).
yup, WUXGA.
Have to admit that it's an extreme use of a laptop. Still aggravating and a caution towards buying another Dell laptop.
Faster and faster computers in thinner and thinner chassis - one step to far?