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E1705 with major video issues - need return/repair advice

post #1 of 4
8/18/07 at 9:45am
Thread Starter 
It looks like my vidcard just died or is in the process. Similar to this thread here but always corrupt, even in bios.

The screen refused to turn on after resuming from standby after being on just moments before. After many reboots i finally got a garbled image to appear on an attached CRT but the image is very garbled and corrupt. When i can get the LCD to turn on it is the exact same image, including corruption, as the CRT. The system passes all off the standard Dell preboot tests as shown in the attached images. The card was running hot before (68-72C idle) but i wasn't doing any gaming or 3d so it didn't go much beyond that. The vents were cleaned about 5-6 months ago.

I'm in the process of finding out where I'll need to send it now. I live in northern Thailand and I don't have any extended warranties and the machine is about 6 months past the one year warranty (Please resist the urge for an "I told you so!" reply.) The nearest repair center is Malaysisa iirc.

So my questions:
  • Based on this, should i return to Dell knowing that I'll be fully liable for all repair costs?
  • Should I buy a card off ebay and have it shipped here and just install myself? I'm confident doing that if needed. I'd rather not have another 7800 Go because of the heat they generate btw.
  • Is there anything i should test/clean/wiggle/reseat/exorcise before doing the above?
  • Am I forgetting another question to ask?

Thanks for any help or advice.

Inspiron E1705
2GHz Core Duo / 2GB 667
nVidia 7800 Go




LL
LL
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post #2 of 4
8/18/07 at 9:55am
Yea, it looks like your card is a goner.

If you are out of warranty (you said it expired 6 months ago) then you should not send it to dell for repair as they will overcharge you a TON.

Your cheapest bet right now would be to buy a new card (from ebay, private seller etc...) and install it yourself.
You could even buy yourself a 7950GTX or 3500M for a kicking upgrade from the 7800go.
I put a 2500M into mine (basically a 7900gtx) and it rocks.

Good luck.

D.
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post #3 of 4
8/19/07 at 4:10am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the reply.

I was considering the 2500m/7900gtx but i had concerns about modding the chassis for the 2nd heat pipe, is it difficult? Also, is the original 7800 worth anything broken or should it be disposed of?
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post #4 of 4
8/19/07 at 4:32am
It is really easy to mod the chassis to fit the dual heat pipe.
Do a search and you will find a tutorial with pics (but it's just using some pliers to break off a tab to fit the heat pipe)

As for the 7800, some people are willing to buy the broken one and the heatpipe can be useful for some people as well.

I would list it in the FS/FT forum once you get your replacement vid card and verify it works.

D.
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