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"Horizontal Rain" problem

post #1 of 38
2/6/04 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Damn it. I know that something might go wrong.

Well I have the "Horizontal Rain" problem with my Ati 9600.

3D mark 2003 looks weird.

What should I do? DellMachina said, the video card needs to be replaced, can I use the Home Service Warranty and let someone from Dell coming and replace the card?

Or did I forget a device driver? I don't think so.

How do they test this machines? I mean they can just run for 30 sec a demo and see if this problem occurs or not.

HOumi
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post #2 of 38
2/6/04 at 12:52am
Houmi,

Would it be possible for you to take a picture of the horizontal rain effect in action? I keep reading about it, but since I don't have my 8600 yet I have no idea what it looks like *lol*

And as far as I know, based on this forum at least, there hasn't been a solution to it. And quite frankly, if replacing the video card has fixed it for others, my guess is it is probably the video card that is causing it. (Although just a suggestion, could it be the card isn't sitting properly and overheading? Just a though.)
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post #3 of 38
2/6/04 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 
Sure.

I tried to make directly screenshots, but then there is a short pause and the problem fade away. Thats why I had to use my digital camera.

enjoy, but do not forget that I am suffering.

http://www.houmie.com/media/DSC00895.JPG
http://www.houmie.com/media/DSC00896.JPG
http://www.houmie.com/media/DSC00898.JPG
http://www.houmie.com/media/DSC00900.JPG

Houmi
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post #4 of 38
2/6/04 at 1:27am
Have you tried uninstalling/reinstalling video drivers? What drivers are you using?
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post #5 of 38
2/6/04 at 1:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kre8tvt12
Have you tried uninstalling/reinstalling video drivers? What drivers are you using?

The current driver from Dell. Laptop Bios is A04.

If I change the performance in POWERPLAY Settings to balanced, the problem is solved. But I don't pay almost $3000 for lowering the performance, thats not the way it should be.

Houmi
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post #6 of 38
2/6/04 at 1:59am
Have you had this problem playing any games or just the using 3D mark?

Also Try Dell tech support using email, I found it very easy to get my screen replaced.
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post #7 of 38
2/6/04 at 2:03am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alittlefly
Have you had this problem playing any games or just the using 3D mark?

Also Try Dell tech support using email, I found it very easy to get my screen replaced.
No not yet. But the result must be the same since the problem is solved when I lower the performance; it's a sign of Video card problem.

The Email idea is very good. I will try that.

Thanks
Houmi
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post #8 of 38
2/6/04 at 2:17am
Houmi, was just about to suggest the DellTalk forums... and lo and behold the first post I find on there is yours One option I found though was to try it with an external monitor, just to ensure it is the video card, not the LCD. (Just a suggestion.)
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post #9 of 38
2/6/04 at 6:08am
From what I read at Dell forums It IS the card!! Don't do anything . Contact Dell and get it replaced......There are threads regarding thaT issue as well as the UXGA and Overheating issues with that card in some machines chances are it's overheating. .
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post #10 of 38
2/6/04 at 2:08pm
Ive gone thru the problem your gonna get hell from dell the best thing to do is if your handy with a screw driver im putting up pixs soon in the upgrade aspect ssticky board on how to replace your video card have them MAIL you the part by claiming the system works fine using your friends 9600 pro but then th eproblem occurs with his system and then they might warn you your warrenty will not cover any damages regarding the video card for 24 hours after you put in the new one. if you wanna play it safe have a tech come over and demand the video boar dupgrade since you "just trie dswapping with your friend) once the tech sees the problem he will be confused as hell but th eproblem will go away after he switches the card and be surprised.
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post #11 of 38
2/6/04 at 2:15pm
One question, what should be the temperatures of the cpu, gpu, ram?
using office etc,
using games,

Thanks
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post #12 of 38
2/6/04 at 7:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ravenq
Houmi, was just about to suggest the DellTalk forums... and lo and behold the first post I find on there is yours One option I found though was to try it with an external monitor, just to ensure it is the video card, not the LCD. (Just a suggestion.)

Dell does not reply to me. I have already a track number and sent them a second email, why it must be the video adapter.

How long do they need before they answer?

Houmi
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post #13 of 38
2/6/04 at 10:11pm
Call them the wait is long but on email they have the option to ignore you for up to 48 hours and sometimes they will use it it took 20 days to fix th eproblem here they insiste dit was the screen so it was a good excuse for me to ditch a dirty sharp screen i had for a refurbed samsung no dead pixels though
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post #14 of 38
2/7/04 at 3:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DELL-Machina
Call them the wait is long but on email they have the option to ignore you for up to 48 hours and sometimes they will use it it took 20 days to fix th eproblem here they insiste dit was the screen so it was a good excuse for me to ditch a dirty sharp screen i had for a refurbed samsung no dead pixels though

They answered me today; I should install the newest driver and make an BIOS update. LOL I already told them in my first email, that I already did that.

Do they read the emails or at least the Web system analysis of the laptops?


Houmi
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post #15 of 38
2/7/04 at 7:03pm
Thread Starter 
OK Guys,

Dell ESupport seems to work now.

They wrote me:


Houman, to get the issue resolved, i would like you to connect to an external monitor and check for the issue. If the issue persists then i would like to have the following information to set the service

Based on our troubleshooting, you have a failing or failed LCD / video adapter and I need to replace it. To get this started, please provide verification of the following information:
- Name of person to contact:
- bla bla

As far as I remember two days ago, I tried it with an external monitor. And everything seemed to be alright on 1024*768. Perhabs I should run the 3D Mark longer to see if the problem persists or not.

What if it doesn't persist anymore? Does it mean the LCD is failing? But it cant be, since when I lower the performance of the video card, the horizontal rain disappears.

I am afraid of a false replacement of my good LCD for nothing.

What do you think?

Houmi
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post #16 of 38
2/7/04 at 7:06pm
I will vote for the video controller replacement rather than the lcd. Any more votes?
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post #17 of 38
2/7/04 at 10:36pm
Same problem im tellign you its the video board no matter how many motherboards or lcd screens i had replaced one video card replacement works tell them your friend with service tag HBW5241 has the same problem and after 3 lcd replacements the problem persisted until he had his Video card replaced.
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post #18 of 38
2/7/04 at 11:08pm
check the dell sight, they had a thred that talked about this prob and how it did not show up on the ext monitor. Even the dell mod agreed.
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post #19 of 38
2/8/04 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DELL-Machina
Same problem im tellign you its the video board no matter how many motherboards or lcd screens i had replaced one video card replacement works tell them your friend with service tag HBW5241 has the same problem and after 3 lcd replacements the problem persisted until he had his Video card replaced.

Thank you my friend. Actually I managed it yesterday to not answer them the question with the external monitor but refer to the performace settings which affects the problem. This is indeed a proof that the video card is the problem and not the LCD.

They said, they will send the technician a new video adapter and a button for the touchpad ( http://www.houmie.com/media/mouse.JPG ) which doesn't click very well.

The technician will call me the next business day for an appointment.

I hope everything will be fine. I love the screen and Video Adapter. You have to watch 'Finding Nemo' on a WUXGA. Its just amazing...

Houmie
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post #20 of 38
2/8/04 at 3:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alittlefly
check the dell sight, they had a thred that talked about this prob and how it did not show up on the ext monitor. Even the dell mod agreed.

This was exactly the point what scared me. I tried it on an external monitor and the problem didn't appear. In this case it's hard to believe that this might be the video adapter. But I think it can be the internal connection between the video adapter and LCD (e.g. AGP) since the external monitor is plugged from outside which can be a different case.

So I am happy that it's the Video adapter and not the screen.

Actually Do you now where this thread in Dell Forum is, where even the mod agreed with that? This would be a good proof for the technician who is coming tomorrow.

Thanks
Houmi
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