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Inspiron 9400 - Video Card Just Died

post #1 of 34
9/3/09 at 3:01pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys,

I haven't posted in a LONG time so I hope everyone is good. I got a problem come up though and I thought of this place to come to first for info/advice.

So I woke up today to do school work and my Inspiron 9400 just decided to break! I'm pretty sure it's the video card. Again. I have a Geforce GO 7800 in there, which is what it came with and by the severe artifacting on the DOS screen, I'm guessing it is indeed the video card. This happened to me under a year ago and I got a replacement, I was still under my Dell Care. The problem is now, I am not. Since I got this last replacement, I haven't even taxed the system much, I just use it for desktop stuff, web, etc. I don't think I've even gamed on it since I got the card replaced, so I was shocked today when it died again.

So being out of warranty and it probably being too late to renew it (It expired in Febuary.) I wanted to come here and see what my options are...if any. Money is tight with me and my wife right now so I might not even be able to fix it, but I still wanted to see what might be done about it. The computer Gods were kind enough to let me boot it up once more and get a few important files real quick but I should probably consider it out of commision for awhile.

I wanted to add although I am farily positive it is the video card, the laptop was doing a few odd things as well that I'm not sure are a product of the card going bad. When I boot it up, that white line that fills at the bottom when the BIOS is loading was filling extra slow, and it's never ever did that before. Also the one time it did boot into windows, the Wi-Fi Card didn't intialize. Can all that be a byproduct of the video card failing?

Thanks for your time and help. What a thing to start the day with. Like I don't have enough going on already!
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post #2 of 34
9/3/09 at 9:33pm
Some options are as follows

1. you can try this http://www.notebookforums.com/thread229404.html

2. Replaement GPU's are
ATI x1400
7900GS
7900GTX
7950GTX

FX1500
FX1600 - with the latest BIOS update
FX2500
FX3500

I found the FX series cards were more stable and tend to last longer.

The Boot up sequence you mentioned can be attributed to the GPU faults, but it is possible it is something else. Typically it reacts slowly when a change in the laptop configuration happens, and it is trying to detect it.
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post #3 of 34
9/3/09 at 9:59pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the input Dave.

Would all these be compatible in my machine without me having to do anything special, besides install it of course? I know my way around a desktop with my eyes closed, but never did much work on a Laptop. I watched the Dell guy when he replaced my last 7800 and I know I have 2 heat pipes and that I have to take alot of crap apart, but that's all I can remember. I'm sure I can follow a guide and do it.

How do those "Lesser" cards like the FX series fit into my system? The opening will accommodate them?

Anyway thanks again, I'll have a look at your link now. =)
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post #4 of 34
9/3/09 at 10:04pm
Thread Starter 
Wow I just read the link you sent me. I replied before I did, figured it was a link to a post on buying video cards or something.

People...bake their cards to fix them? A: Who the hell thought of that? and B: How could that possibly work?

Got any info or a good link to how to try that?
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post #5 of 34
9/3/09 at 10:27pm
Thread Starter 
After reading that link Dave, I went ahead and took my laptop apart. I have nothing better to do. =) I got my card out no problem, but am still hazy on the directions. The card is still sandwiched between the casing it's in, do I remove it from that? It has these 6 point star shaped screws I've never seen before.

i'm willing to try this, I don't have anything to lose, I'm just not sure how to proceed.
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post #6 of 34
9/4/09 at 12:19am
I have not done it myself, I would post this question in that thread and ask

The screws are a Torex Bit if I recall.

I would think removing the heat sink assembly would be best

Also does your GPU card have single or Dual heat pipe

I ask because if it is a single, you may want to try to get hold of a dual heat pipe and upgrade - assuming the baking works that is.

last sas far as the baking the card goes, the principle is basiclly heat it up to the point where the solder reflows - and if your failure was a reult of over heating which can cause a bad solder joint, could be possibly fixed with the baking

From what i read the sucess rate around 50 % or less, but as you state there really is nothgin to loose.

last

There is a member here in the for sale section who is buying the dead cards, you may also find some working cards there as well should you not have any sucess withj your 7800
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post #7 of 34
9/4/09 at 5:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeonstar View Post
Wow I just read the link you sent me. I replied before I did, figured it was a link to a post on buying video cards or something.

People...bake their cards to fix them? A: Who the hell thought of that? and B: How could that possibly work?

Got any info or a good link to how to try that?
I guess that you checked out this NBF Dell half bake thread?

http://www.notebookforums.com/thread229404.html

cheers ...
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post #8 of 34
9/8/09 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeonstar View Post
Hey guys,

I haven't posted in a LONG time so I hope everyone is good. I got a problem come up though and I thought of this place to come to first for info/advice.
Uncanny! Same story for me too!

Check my thread here:
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread229621.html

... and I thought I was the only unlucky one!
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post #9 of 34
9/9/09 at 3:39am
Thread Starter 
Hey again.

Wow Dman, happened to you too huh? I chickened out on baking my card, at least for now. Sorry for not getting back to this thread sooner, was out of town. I think I may see if I can find a card somehow, maybe used, as long as it works. I'll check out the for sale thread!
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post #10 of 34
9/9/09 at 4:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeonstar View Post
Hey again.

Wow Dman, happened to you too huh? I chickened out on baking my card, at least for now.
Same story, mate. I too chickened out with baking my card. I am just waiting for my new 17" Apple MacBook Pro to arrive, and will think about it then. Most likely, I will just buy the ATI X1400 video card from Acclimated.
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post #11 of 34
9/9/09 at 4:27am
Nothing chicken about not "baking". I would only do it when the comp is completely dead - nothing to lose, as they say.

cheers ...
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post #12 of 34
9/9/09 at 4:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
Nothing chicken about not "baking". I would only do it when the comp is completely dead - nothing to lose, as they say.

cheers ...
Agreed. At the moment, the card is now working again without glitches or BSODs. I hope I won't jinx myself by saying this though. I am also running I8kfanGUI (which I wasn't running before). Do you know why the I8kfanGUI app is not picking up the GPU temperature?
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post #13 of 34
9/9/09 at 4:39am
Utilities only pick up devices temp only if it is being made available by chipset, BIOS. Saying that, try different tools like NHC or RMClock also.

cheers ...
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post #14 of 34
9/9/09 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dave-p View Post
Some options are as follows

1. you can try this http://www.notebookforums.com/thread229404.html

2. Replaement GPU's are
ATI x1400
7900GS
7900GTX
7950GTX

FX1500
FX1600 - with the latest BIOS update
FX2500
FX3500

I found the FX series cards were more stable and tend to last longer.

The Boot up sequence you mentioned can be attributed to the GPU faults, but it is possible it is something else. Typically it reacts slowly when a change in the laptop configuration happens, and it is trying to detect it.
Hey again,

Dave if you dont mind me following up on this post of yours, are all of those cards you mentioned compatible with my 9400 without me needing to alter anything? I just have to open them up and install them basically? Going to head over to eBay and see if I can't price a few.

Of all those, can they all do resolution of 1920 x 1280? That's the res of my screen on my i9400 so natrually I'd like a card that can still display that res.

thanks for any info. You can PM Me if it's easier.
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post #15 of 34
9/9/09 at 10:20pm
Zeon,

The 7900GS and ATI1400 are "drop in" cards.

The 7900GTX and 7950GTX have dual heat sinks and require some modification to the base of the 9400. I've don it to a couple of mine and it's not difficult at all. However, it is best to feel completely comfortable working with the computer disassembled. It involves either breaking off a tab or using a dremel to cut the tab off (that's what I did).

All of the FX cards are dual heat pipe and would require case modificaiton.

I personally own machines that have the ATI X1400, 7900GS, FX2500M, and 7950GTX. The ATI will more than handle Internet surfing, word processing, spread sheets, You Tube video, etc.

The FX1600 can handle DirectX 10, but if you are running XP, that won't make a difference anyway.

The big question for you is what do you want to do with your machine and how much do you want to spend...

Good Luck!
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post #16 of 34
9/9/09 at 11:09pm
pretty much agree with Acclimated,

The Mod to add the dual pipe cards (which do run cooler) is very easy to do.

if you were not going with the X1400, Iwould strongly suggest a dual pipe card and I think the FX series cards have a better record as well.
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post #17 of 34
9/9/09 at 11:27pm
Thread Starter 
I am sure I could handle installing a dual pipe card if i really wanted to. That is the one that would require me breaking off something or using the dremal right? (which I admit I have never used or owned a dremal, not even 100% sure what they do, but I've heard the name alot.

When I first got my 9400 2 years ago I was all excited it could run WoW, but now I don't play Wow anymore and I just do all my gaming on my Desktop PC, so my laptop doesn't need a powerhouse video card really, I just want something stable and good. I do school work on my laptop at cafes sometimes when it's too distracting at home, and I use Maya, so I only need a video card good enough to handle that. The 7800 Go was just perfect, so an equivalent is all I really need. Are the FX cards a step up or down from the GS, Go, GTX, etc series? I am not familiar with the FX series of Laptop cards.

It sounds like an x1400 might be what I need. Do they run at resolutions of 1920 x 1200? That's my screens native res so I just want to make sure whatever I stick in there is still optimal for my laptop's screen.
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post #18 of 34
9/10/09 at 12:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by zeonstar View Post
It sounds like an x1400 might be what I need. Do they run at resolutions of 1920 x 1200? That's my screens native res so I just want to make sure whatever I stick in there is still optimal for my laptop's screen.
They can definitely run at that resolution. However, from what I have read there are some performance issues when driving an external LCD panel. I am not to sure as to whether it will run Maya all that well.
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post #19 of 34
9/10/09 at 12:27am
Zeon,

If "I" were you, here's what I would do...

I would shop for a good deal on a T2600 (SL9JN) processor on ebay. There are several for sale at about $115 right now. You would see a huge boost in your computer's performance and you'd think you got a new machine. I'd also put in an ATI X1400 video card. They can be had for approximately $150 on ebay. I offered to sell an ATI X1400 to a guy in Australia yesterday. He hasn't decided if he wants it and I'm not certain I want to sell it. That way, you would boost performance and have a video card capable of doing what you need it to do.

A 7900GS is probably going to run between $150 ~ $300 on ebay.

I've seen the FX1600M's for about $289.

The FX2500M's are gonna run $250 ~ $350.

The 7950GTX is going to be closer to $400.

I "think" the

ATI X1400 (128 MB) is much better than integrated M/B graphics

FX1500M (256 MB) is approximate to the 7800 (256 MB)

FX1600M (512 MB [128 bit]) is approximate to the 7900 GS (256 MB [256 bit])

FX2500M (512 MB) is approximate to the 7900 GTX (512 MB)

FX3500M (512 MB) is approximate to the 7950 GTX (512 MB)

The case mod is easy to do. A dremel is similar to the drill machine the dentist uses to drill your cavities, but instead of a drill bit, it has a round cutting disc. You would want to borrow one, unless you want to drop $50 for the tool. If you do use a dremel, completely remove the M/B prior to cutting. I think some people have just used a pair of pliers and "snapped" the tab off.

Good Luck!
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post #20 of 34
9/10/09 at 8:38am
The only correction I will add to above is the following

the FX1500 = 7900GS
the FX2500 = 7900GTX
the FX3500 = 7950GTX

all three if these cards can be flashed with each other BIOS, it is in fact the only thing that differes from them.

The FX series cards have been optimized for openGL apps.

It should also be noted Dell has updated some of the NVidea base laptop BIOS files to provide a Cooler profile with the GPUs by running the fans @ higher speeds at lower temps,

I do not think how ever they done this with the 9400/E1705 m1710 laptops, although they probably should
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