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Dell XPS 1710 laptop, dead GeForce go 7900 GTX Video Card

post #1 of 55
9/14/08 at 2:42am
Thread Starter 
I bought my XPS 1710 dell laptop about 2 yrs and some months ago at about ~$4, 150. About 3 weeks ago my GeForce go 7900 GTX died... I've never OC'd any device on my laptop and its been used in normal conditions..

Has anyone else had any problems with their GeForce go 7 series video cards?


did a clean install of Windows XP and this is what I get...

1. when my laptop boots up the bios screen comes up with a bunch of vertical lines...
2. when windows boots up there is a bunch of vertical lines...
3. simple vga mode works... no vertical lines...
4. when I try to install the drivers for the 7900 GTX I get a BSOD...


Warranty...
So far the video card has been backordered twice... when I get called again
and if its for the same reason I'm going to ask what the next course of action will be...

I doubt there are any remaing Geforce Go 7 series video cards...

what should I do?

Thanks, and I appreciate the help.
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post #2 of 55
9/14/08 at 3:40am
Escalate the issue, and ask for a replacement system.
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post #3 of 55
9/14/08 at 8:12am
Well you can click on my username and check out my previous posts but I will try and sum it up as best I can...Had 2 7900gtx go bad with vertical lines on boot (one on my brothers laptop)...got 2 7950gtx from ebay and one went bad again. My 7950 is still good after being OC'ed but my brothers cards went bad and he never overclocks.

Want to get a new laptop soon so probably in a few months I am gonna buy another laptop other than dell cause 3 cards going wrong for the same model of laptop is just bad.

Not trying to post negative stuff about dell cause I had the XPS gen1 and thought it was a great machine which is why I purchased dell again....but now I think it is time to try something new.
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post #4 of 55
9/17/08 at 1:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Atticus View Post
I bought my XPS 1710 dell laptop about 2 yrs and some months ago at about ~$4, 150. About 3 weeks ago my GeForce go 7900 GTX died... I've never OC'd any device on my laptop and its been used in normal conditions..

Has anyone else had any problems with their GeForce go 7 series video cards?


did a clean install of Windows XP and this is what I get...

1. when my laptop boots up the bios screen comes up with a bunch of vertical lines...
2. when windows boots up there is a bunch of vertical lines...
3. simple vga mode works... no vertical lines...
4. when I try to install the drivers for the 7900 GTX I get a BSOD...


Warranty...
So far the video card has been backordered twice... when I get called again
and if its for the same reason I'm going to ask what the next course of action will be...

I doubt there are any remaing Geforce Go 7 series video cards...

what should I do?

Thanks, and I appreciate the help.
I would doubt that Dell is out of GeForce 7 Series cards seeing as they are still selling the M1710 with 7 Series cards on their Ireland site despite the laptop being replaced a year ago...
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post #5 of 55
9/23/08 at 6:26pm
Yes, the 7900GS in my 1705 took a dive a few weeks ago.

After a little research, I snagged a FX2500 off of the e place, modded the frame and I'm good to go!
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post #6 of 55
9/23/08 at 6:40pm
Dell just replaced my 7900GTX that died with a 7950GTX. When I say just I mean today.
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post #7 of 55
9/24/08 at 2:36am
ya, i had a 7950 replaced a month ago
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post #8 of 55
9/28/08 at 9:18pm
If your machine is under warranty then yes pursue that. And yes, they still have cards in stock. They are refurbished and they're asking $700 for them.

If your machine is no longer under warranty you could pick up a refurb GTX card on ebay and it will fit right in. But, you have to upgrade to the latest bios.

On the Nvidia video cards there are two chips on the top of the card. If you remove the cover plate you can see them. Usually the failure is a solder joint on the second chip. The solder joint can be repaired > if you know what you're doing...
there are also some documented issues with the memory chips on the cards but, 9.9 times it is just the solder joint.
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post #9 of 55
10/1/08 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Atticus View Post
I bought my XPS 1710 dell laptop about 2 yrs and some months ago at about ~$4, 150. About 3 weeks ago my GeForce go 7900 GTX died... I've never OC'd any device on my laptop and its been used in normal conditions..

Has anyone else had any problems with their GeForce go 7 series video cards?


did a clean install of Windows XP and this is what I get...

1. when my laptop boots up the bios screen comes up with a bunch of vertical lines...
2. when windows boots up there is a bunch of vertical lines...
3. simple vga mode works... no vertical lines...
4. when I try to install the drivers for the 7900 GTX I get a BSOD...


Warranty...
So far the video card has been backordered twice... when I get called again
and if its for the same reason I'm going to ask what the next course of action will be...

I doubt there are any remaing Geforce Go 7 series video cards...

what should I do?

Thanks, and I appreciate the help.
As others here have pointed out, availability of replacement cards will vary by your location (not just country but by location within the country). Since you're still under warranty and they won't (or can't) replace the card for you, do as achilles suggested. Escalate the issue and if they still say they can't replace the card (back-ordered) request a system replacement.
I would also point you to Richard, the Dell Customer Advocate that surfs this forum. I think his Handle is DellCA_Richard. Send him a PM. He has been very helpful to people on this forum seeking replacement parts/systems, and is usually able to cut out the BS and get things going.
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post #10 of 55
10/1/08 at 8:56pm
Thread Starter 
I just got a replacement GPU installed... It's a refurbished GeForce go 7950 GTX... And it took about a month to get it.
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post #11 of 55
10/3/08 at 5:55pm
7900 died after 2 month out of 1 year warranty, called my credit card company up for their free +1year coverage for credit card purchase, replaced with 7950 gtx. That suddenly makes me in love with credit cards.

Still running now.
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post #12 of 55
10/4/08 at 10:49am
I'm in this exact position at the moment. My 7900GTX died 2 days ago with vertical lines on BIOS and windows boot screen. Had about an 18 month lifespan, and was overclocked for about 12 of those. Currently running without any graphics drivers (or the system won't even boot) and still have checkered red lines all over my desktop.

My warranty expired long ago so am expecting dell to charge some extortionate fee to have it replaced - they're sposed to be calling me on Monday with the precise figure.

If only I trusted myself to fit a new card myself I could probably save a bomb. For those who have done it - is it a long process of dismantling the entire system? I've already had my graphics card replaced once and I remember the technician completely going to town on my laptop, which put me off a bit.
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post #13 of 55
10/4/08 at 3:41pm
You need to take off every single part of the notebook to replace it. If you read the guide 3 times and have another notebook to read the guide while doing it, it should be ok. And don't drop the screws.

First time doing it very slowly and carefully is about 30. second time is 10 minutes.
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post #14 of 55
10/4/08 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airwalker View Post
I'm in this exact position at the moment. My 7900GTX died 2 days ago with vertical lines on BIOS and windows boot screen. Had about an 18 month lifespan, and was overclocked for about 12 of those. Currently running without any graphics drivers (or the system won't even boot) and still have checkered red lines all over my desktop.

My warranty expired long ago so am expecting dell to charge some extortionate fee to have it replaced - they're sposed to be calling me on Monday with the precise figure.

If only I trusted myself to fit a new card myself I could probably save a bomb. For those who have done it - is it a long process of dismantling the entire system? I've already had my graphics card replaced once and I remember the technician completely going to town on my laptop, which put me off a bit.
Where are you located? If you're anywhere near Southern California drop by and I'll do it for a 40!
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post #15 of 55
10/5/08 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Airwalker View Post
I'm in this exact position at the moment. My 7900GTX died 2 days ago with vertical lines on BIOS and windows boot screen. Had about an 18 month lifespan, and was overclocked for about 12 of those. Currently running without any graphics drivers (or the system won't even boot) and still have checkered red lines all over my desktop.

My warranty expired long ago so am expecting dell to charge some extortionate fee to have it replaced - they're sposed to be calling me on Monday with the precise figure.

If only I trusted myself to fit a new card myself I could probably save a bomb. For those who have done it - is it a long process of dismantling the entire system? I've already had my graphics card replaced once and I remember the technician completely going to town on my laptop, which put me off a bit.
it is not hard, just pay attention and take it very slow. it is just tedious
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post #16 of 55
10/7/08 at 12:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wfor1pilot View Post
On the Nvidia video cards there are two chips on the top of the card. If you remove the cover plate you can see them. Usually the failure is a solder joint on the second chip. The solder joint can be repaired > if you know what you're doing...
there are also some documented issues with the memory chips on the cards but, 9.9 times it is just the solder joint.

You stated that there are other documented issues with the memory chips on the cards...can you tell me where I can find that? Also any documentation on how to correctly repair the solder joint?

Thanks!
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post #17 of 55
10/7/08 at 12:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snow2k5 View Post
Dell just replaced my 7900GTX that died with a 7950GTX. When I say just I mean today.


I was able to convince Dell to send me a new 7950GTX replacement since they just replaced it 3 months ago when it was still in warranty. Do you think I have any chance of having them pay for a tech to install it? Sounds like a nightmare to install...

Thanks
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post #18 of 55
10/7/08 at 9:45am
actually it is not that bad,

Take your time is the Key.

I believe the sticky in this forum has the tear down guide

but essentially you remove all the screws on the bottom of the laptop so you can separate the top base/palm rest from the bottom base assy.

When you remove the keyboard there are a few more screws to remove to get the top assy off the base, you disconnect the Keybaord ribbon cable, and CMOS battery and it should lift off.

There are 4 screws holding the GPU remove them and gently lift it off.
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post #19 of 55
10/7/08 at 11:11am
Yeah, installing the graphics card is in no way a nightmare. I think it's fun .

About that solder joint, or whatever it is that causes them to fail, if its already dead, we have nothing left to lose. Is that the same in all 7 series card, since I have a 7800 gtx? Thx
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post #20 of 55
10/7/08 at 9:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kipp View Post
I was able to convince Dell to send me a new 7950GTX replacement since they just replaced it 3 months ago when it was still in warranty. Do you think I have any chance of having them pay for a tech to install it? Sounds like a nightmare to install...

Thanks

Dells outsourced techs called today, it looks like Dell made good and is going to have the card installed as well!!
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