it always helps to know what Dell model you have and what OS you are running. And in your case your current graphics card and the model of the ones you are looking at.

If this is a laptop then the chances are fairly high that you cannot replace the video card as it part of the motherboard. If it is a desktopthen you have to know what type of video bus your system has,,,, AGP. PCI, or PCIe and the size of your power supply.

What does a Knoppix 5.3 DVD do?

What does a Windows PE DVD do?

Thanks for your reply.

Dell Inspiron E1705 (Laptop)
Dual-Boot Windows XP & Ubuntu

Graphics: NVidia Go 7900 256MB Video Card - This is what it came with and I would like to replace it with the same thing if I can.

Here is the full list of specs of my build when I bought it.  The only thing I have upgraded is the RAM, which is now 2GB(1GBx2).

It appears that the video card is replaceable, I'm just not sure if they will do it or how much they will charge me for the service out of warranty.  I could just buy the part and do it myself, but if they'll do it for $300 I'd rather they did.

Thanks again.

SpeedStep, Thanks for your consideration, but given my experience with it on both Windows and Ubuntu, I really don't think that checking out other OS's or Live sessions will change the way that the video card outputs to the display.  My question isn't so much a work around for bad graphics, but rather if Dell will service my machine...

Thanks again.

They will service it out of warranty, but they won't do so for free.  Attach an external monitor -- if it shows the same fault, replace the video card.  You can find the card at parts-people.com or impactcomputers.com - all cards will be used, with a 90-day maximum on the warranty.

ejn63, Thanks for checking it out... I've checked out the graphics card online and it looks like it will run me any where from $250~$400.  I was really hoping that some body would be able to tell me how much Dell would charge me to replace it so I can weigh my options.

If they'll do it for $300, then I'd rather do that than purchase one online and install it my self.  But if they're going to charge me $500, then its definitely not worth it to me, and I'll do it myself.

I was really hoping that this thread would get some attention from a Dell customer service rep who likes to hang out in the forums in his off-time, who could do a quick check with his employee account and toss me a number.

Calling Dell Customer Service out of warranty will cost me $50 just for them to go through their checklist, come to the same conclusion I have, and read me a number off their dynamically generated price sheet...

Can you see where I'm coming from?  Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree...

Can anyone tell me the difference between Dell Part # 0T238G vs Dell Part # DG008.  They look identical to me.  My Dell parts list  listed DG008, but if they are interchangable, then that would expand my search slightly...

Any ideas?

They're the same card - the 7900GS.  As for the price, you'd have to call the out of warranty people for a quote - expect it to be higher than purchasing the card and installing it yourself.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/expired_warranty?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

https://www.parts-people.com/serviceform.php

The  ATI x1400 is the card I recall being offered with the E1705 but there were also models with NO GPU that used intel video which would mean a new motherboard to fix the issue.

Given the track record of failures with this series I'd just as soon get a newer laptop than try to fix that one.

The nvidia option seems to fail often also.

http://www.impactcomputers.com/yf209.html

Well then I guess that's as good as it gets....

Thanks, you guys, for you help.