Dell xps m1530 display problem

[electrog90]

I have a two and half year old DELL XPS M1530 laptop with the following con-fig:
Intel T9300 processor, 320gb Western digital HDD, Nvidia 8600M GT 256mb graphic card, 15.4" 1280 by 800 LCD screen.

About a week back my display (laptop screen) stopped working (no back light, nothing on screen) all of a sudden, but if i connect an external monitor, my computer works fine.

Other problem i had over the last 2 months was, high temperature shown by my graphic card (average of 78-82 degree Celsius, under normal usage and no hope with games like fifa 10, just gives up in 2 minutes, but every other component (HDD, processor etc) shows the right temperature). The reason which i found out was one of the graphic card heat sink screws (2 in total) had come off from the base of the computer, leaving a small air gap with the graphic processor, could be the reason for heat.

What could be the possible problem?

I have tried the following:
- Static discharge (by removing power cable and battery, hold the power button for a minute and then boot), failed.
- opened up my laptop to check my video cable from graphic card to monitor, but no luck.

So following this, i took my laptop to a service center who works on component level, claims the Nvidia Display IC is dead and the cost of replacement is 120 USD. He also confirms that there is nothing wrong with the display, sounds fair. Is this a valid reason, if yes is the cost mentioned right?

What could have lead to the failure of IC, can it be the heating problem?

Need a quick reply. I live in India, filled with crooked service guys, who can rip off any component.

 

[sam9999]

I have a two and half year old DELL XPS M1530 laptop with the following con-fig:
Intel T9300 processor, 320gb Western digital HDD, Nvidia 8600M GT 256mb graphic card, 15.4" 1280 by 800 LCD screen.

About a week back my display (laptop screen) stopped working (no back light, nothing on screen) all of a sudden, but if i connect an external monitor, my computer works fine.

Other problem i had over the last 2 months was, high temperature shown by my graphic card (average of 78-82 degree Celsius, under normal usage and no hope with games like fifa 10, just gives up in 2 minutes, but every other component (HDD, processor etc) shows the right temperature). The reason which i found out was one of the graphic card heat sink screws (2 in total) had come off from the base of the computer, leaving a small air gap with the graphic processor, could be the reason for heat.

What could be the possible problem?

I have tried the following:
- Static discharge (by removing power cable and battery, hold the power button for a minute and then boot), failed.
- opened up my laptop to check my video cable from graphic card to monitor, but no luck.

So following this, i took my laptop to a service center who works on component level, claims the Nvidia Display IC is dead and the cost of replacement is 120 USD. He also confirms that there is nothing wrong with the display, sounds fair. Is this a valid reason, if yes is the cost mentioned right?

What could have lead to the failure of IC, can it be the heating problem?

Need a quick reply. I live in India, filled with crooked service guys, who can rip off any component.

I also live in India and facing the same issue. Were you able to find any solution to this ??

 

[electrog90]

the only way out is to change your motherboard as the graphic card is soldered onto the motherboard, get a warranty extension from dell, works out cheaper. I got a 2 year extension (full parts) for 15k, if you go about changing your motherboard will set you back by 11-12k.

 

[sam9999]

the only way out is to change your motherboard as the graphic card is soldered onto the motherboard, get a warranty extension from dell, works out cheaper. I got a 2 year extension (full parts) for 15k, if you go about changing your motherboard will set you back by 11-12k.

But to get extended warranty u need a 100% working laptop not with faulty graphics card. So the total expense is ?? can you please post detailed steps you took

 

[electrog90]

Not a problem if your laptop already has a problem.

I called dell to diagnose my problem, after few diagnosis tests they said the solution is to change the motherboard.

They offered me two ways to go about solving,
- change the motherboard, which will cost around 10-12k
- Extend my warranty for an year which will cost about 15-20k

Then I tried hands with third party repair shops, who i found to be not genuine or very average servicing.

Finally I called dell again pursuing them give me a better deal, then i was offered 2 year extension for 15k, which if found to be reasonable. As this is one laptop which gives very good performance at expense of reliability, as previously i had few issues as well, like dvd drive failing twice, speaker shot by itself and then this Graphic Card issue which is mainly because of heating problems caused by poor design.

Hope this helps

 

[ragncajun80]

Well first off let me say that you already know more than Dell Tech Support. I've studied your symptoms carefully, Your getting video from the Dsub port right well your the Nvidia chip processes that information so your video chip isn't the culprit. I highly suspect some cable issues, most troubleshooting starts with the simplest things first. as you mentioned the retainer screws came off of the heatpipe for the graphics chip, well that certainly could cause a premature failure of the chip. I would recommend that you focas on the LCD display as your primary cause hence your getting video through an external source I.E. your Dsub connector.http://img.tomshardware.com/forum/uk/icones/smilies/ange.gif

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey