I just sent this email to Sager, I hope they do something about the issue.
Sager Support-
I recently sent my notebook computer to Sager for a motherboard replacement. This work was completed under RMA# XXXXXX.
After I received the notebook back it worked fine for approximately 1 week. Now there is a problem where the video will blank out. This can happen during bootup or after bootup during any task. I usually have to hard reboot the machine by holding down the power button. Sometimes it will boot back up, other times it will come on to a bright white (grey) screen. Other times it will simply remain black although the power light comes on and the DJ clock is turning on. If I open the video card cover and apply pressure to the front of the heatsink then it will usually boot up properly and run for a short time before the screen goes black again.
After reading some threads on notebookforums.com I determined that this was probably caused by a loose connection with the video card or the memory. I have removed and reseated the video card and cleaned & replaced the thermal compound. I have also removed and reseated the memory.
After reseating these items the laptop again seemed to be working for about a week and the problem started again. I have determined that there is a faulty connection between the motherboard and the video card on the front, smaller connection.
My motherboard is revision 6.2N. My video card is the ATI Mobility X800. Is there an incompatibility or known problem between the new Mobo revision and this video card? There was never any problems with my video card until after the mobo replacement.
I really love this notebook and I just want it to work reliably. I purchased it in May of '05 and it worked great until the mobo problem in June '06. This notebook hasn't worked correctly now for almost a year. Please advise if this problem is something that would be covered under the warranty of the new Mobo or if I should simply replace the video card.
What are my options?
I really wish this $3k notebook was more reliable... it's such a love/hate relationship I have with it right now. I'll post again after I receive word back from Sager.
Sager Support-
I recently sent my notebook computer to Sager for a motherboard replacement. This work was completed under RMA# XXXXXX.
After I received the notebook back it worked fine for approximately 1 week. Now there is a problem where the video will blank out. This can happen during bootup or after bootup during any task. I usually have to hard reboot the machine by holding down the power button. Sometimes it will boot back up, other times it will come on to a bright white (grey) screen. Other times it will simply remain black although the power light comes on and the DJ clock is turning on. If I open the video card cover and apply pressure to the front of the heatsink then it will usually boot up properly and run for a short time before the screen goes black again.
After reading some threads on notebookforums.com I determined that this was probably caused by a loose connection with the video card or the memory. I have removed and reseated the video card and cleaned & replaced the thermal compound. I have also removed and reseated the memory.
After reseating these items the laptop again seemed to be working for about a week and the problem started again. I have determined that there is a faulty connection between the motherboard and the video card on the front, smaller connection.
My motherboard is revision 6.2N. My video card is the ATI Mobility X800. Is there an incompatibility or known problem between the new Mobo revision and this video card? There was never any problems with my video card until after the mobo replacement.
I really love this notebook and I just want it to work reliably. I purchased it in May of '05 and it worked great until the mobo problem in June '06. This notebook hasn't worked correctly now for almost a year. Please advise if this problem is something that would be covered under the warranty of the new Mobo or if I should simply replace the video card.
What are my options?
I really wish this $3k notebook was more reliable... it's such a love/hate relationship I have with it right now. I'll post again after I receive word back from Sager.
