I've had this same problem, on multiple Dell machines.
First off was a Dell Inspiron 5150 - it happened for a while before I got someone in to look at it, they replaced the motherboard and the graphics card. It was OK for a couple of days, then started happening again. In my case it didn't seem to be to do with 3d apps, more to do with using software that used the processor for prolonged time. For me, rebooting didn't sort out the problem (as it was often there after rebooting), but putting the machine in the 'fridge for 10 minutes then turning it on again seemed to do the trick
As the problem kept on happening, I decided to get a new machine. Had a nice new shiny Inspiron 9100 delivered last week, and have already had this problem occur on the machine, despite not doing anything intensive on it yet (mainly because I can't seem to play games in "windowed" mode, but that's another story for another thread). The issue continued for a couple of hours, I tried re-installing video drivers to then discover that it still had the problem in "Safe Mode" then, all of sudden (and whilst the computer was idle) the problem vanished. I expect it will come back (probably whilst I'm using the machine for a presentation or something), but Dell were certainly perplexed by the problem on the 5150, so I'm expecting the same again.
This might sound a bit odd, but I'm glad that someone else is having the same problem as me - hopefully someone from Dell can help us both.
I have the same problem on my Dell Inspiron 8200. Initially I had geforce 4 go 32mb. The problem occurs when the laptop gets hot. After a few weeks, the problem getting worse. I replace the video card with a geforce 4 go 64mb. The problem disappeared for a few weeks until recently its coming back again. I have no idea what is wrong. In fact I am browsing the forum right now to find the solution to this. Well I didnt find any, but I know that I am not the only one who has this problem. Let's hope dell know how to fix this problem.
I called tech support, and this time they are coming out to replace both the motherboard and the video card. From what happened the last time, I expect that this will fix the problem, the question is for how long will this solution work?
Has anyone had any experience with replacing both the motherboard and video card? So far I have heard that many people are getting their video cards replaced and having the problem return.
I have the same problem on my Dell Inspiron 8200. Initially I had geforce 4 go 32mb. The problem occurs when the laptop gets hot. After a few weeks, the problem getting worse. I replace the video card with a geforce 4 go 64mb. The problem disappeared for a few weeks until recently its coming back again.
Mine did come up with an failure when I ran the Dell diagnostics on the video memory. It came up with an error code 5300:0119.
Dell finished with replacing the motherboard and video card, which worked for about 12 hours (Or until the tech left the building). First it claimed it had a 32Mb video card; The original equipment was 64Mb, and the part number on the new one confirmed that it was supposed to be 64Mb. After that, the whole screen became unreadable. I would have snapped a picture for the forum, but I wasn't even able to see what the screen was displaying. Right now Dell has recalled it to their repair facility for "Further testing".
Same here, I have the 32/64mb confusion too on my inspiron 8200 with geforce4 440 go 64mb. This is what I observe:
When the system boot at 64mb, usually I will see the problem in Windows. The problem now is slightly different. When the problem appears, I either get a blank screen (my monitor doesn't seem to get any signal from video card) or the screen has the similar artifacts but at the lowest resolution and color (that is 640 X 480 and at 4 color).
When the system boot at 32mb, the system is stable.
I don't have this problem when I first use this geforce4 440go 64mb (it works fine for about 1 1/2 months). Before I use this geforce4 440go 64mb, I used a geforce4 440go 32mb and had same screen problem.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone that has this problem uses ati radeon video card?
Tedulrik, I just did the dell diagnostic test on my old Geforce4 go 32mb. It gives me this error message:
Test Errors VESA SVGA Video - Video Memory Test : Fail Status: Fail Status Code: DOS DDG-D VIDEO 010 025 Device: VESA_SVGA_Video Test: Video_Memory_Test Release: 1096 Module(s): Video Msg: Detected a failure while writing and reading video memory. Video mode: 4h (320x200x4). Address BA1E8h, expected to read 0h, but read FFh instead.
I guess I am having the same problem as yours. My geforce4 go 64mb doesn't fail during the diagnostic test. However I am seeing the same problem though less frequently. I suspect that when the problem occurs, it will fail the diagnostic test as well. I think I am going to return the 64mb one since it is still under 3 months warranty.
Does anyone know how to fix this problem? Will getting new video card fix this problem permanently? I do not want to buy a new video card that works only for 2 month just like my previous geforce4 go 64mb :(.
The problem on my laptop has finally gone away, after about five video cards, and a new motherboard. What Dell eventually did was to replace the heatsink. I noticed the new one was a copper heatsink, rather than aluminum. So far the computer has been running at least 10 degrees centigrade cooler than before. It seems that the problem may be that the laptops with aluminum heatsinks may not be able to sufficiently cool the CPU/video card (Both run off the same heat exchanger) when they get dirty. Hopefully this new heatsink along with regular cleaning should solve the problem.
cademetz
2 Intern
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1.3K Posts
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July 30th, 2004 04:00
MilesJ
4 Posts
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August 1st, 2004 23:00
I've had this same problem, on multiple Dell machines.
First off was a Dell Inspiron 5150 - it happened for a while before I got someone in to look at it, they replaced the motherboard and the graphics card. It was OK for a couple of days, then started happening again. In my case it didn't seem to be to do with 3d apps, more to do with using software that used the processor for prolonged time. For me, rebooting didn't sort out the problem (as it was often there after rebooting), but putting the machine in the 'fridge for 10 minutes then turning it on again seemed to do the trick
As the problem kept on happening, I decided to get a new machine. Had a nice new shiny Inspiron 9100 delivered last week, and have already had this problem occur on the machine, despite not doing anything intensive on it yet (mainly because I can't seem to play games in "windowed" mode, but that's another story for another thread). The issue continued for a couple of hours, I tried re-installing video drivers to then discover that it still had the problem in "Safe Mode" then, all of sudden (and whilst the computer was idle) the problem vanished. I expect it will come back (probably whilst I'm using the machine for a presentation or something), but Dell were certainly perplexed by the problem on the 5150, so I'm expecting the same again.
This might sound a bit odd, but I'm glad that someone else is having the same problem as me - hopefully someone from Dell can help us both.
Laper
11 Posts
0
August 3rd, 2004 02:00
I have the same problem on my Dell Inspiron 8200. Initially I had geforce 4 go 32mb. The problem occurs when the laptop gets hot. After a few weeks, the problem getting worse. I replace the video card with a geforce 4 go 64mb. The problem disappeared for a few weeks until recently its coming back again. I have no idea what is wrong. In fact I am browsing the forum right now to find the solution to this. Well I didnt find any, but I know that I am not the only one who has this problem. Let's hope dell know how to fix this problem.
twester
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
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August 4th, 2004 00:00
I called tech support, and this time they are coming out to replace both the motherboard and the video card. From what happened the last time, I expect that this will fix the problem, the question is for how long will this solution work?
Has anyone had any experience with replacing both the motherboard and video card? So far I have heard that many people are getting their video cards replaced and having the problem return.
Thanks
MilesJ
4 Posts
0
August 7th, 2004 12:00
tedulrik
10 Posts
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August 7th, 2004 12:00
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=119616
Have you run the Dell diagnostics CD when the artefacts show up? What result does the video card test give?
twester
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
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August 7th, 2004 16:00
Mine did come up with an failure when I ran the Dell diagnostics on the video memory. It came up with an error code 5300:0119.
Dell finished with replacing the motherboard and video card, which worked for about 12 hours (Or until the tech left the building). First it claimed it had a 32Mb video card; The original equipment was 64Mb, and the part number on the new one confirmed that it was supposed to be 64Mb. After that, the whole screen became unreadable. I would have snapped a picture for the forum, but I wasn't even able to see what the screen was displaying. Right now Dell has recalled it to their repair facility for "Further testing".
Did I get a lemon computer?
tedulrik
10 Posts
0
August 7th, 2004 17:00
Laper
11 Posts
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August 8th, 2004 15:00
Same here, I have the 32/64mb confusion too on my inspiron 8200 with geforce4 440 go 64mb. This is what I observe:
When the system boot at 64mb, usually I will see the problem in Windows. The problem now is slightly different. When the problem appears, I either get a blank screen (my monitor doesn't seem to get any signal from video card) or the screen has the similar artifacts but at the lowest resolution and color (that is 640 X 480 and at 4 color).
When the system boot at 32mb, the system is stable.
I don't have this problem when I first use this geforce4 440go 64mb (it works fine for about 1 1/2 months). Before I use this geforce4 440go 64mb, I used a geforce4 440go 32mb and had same screen problem.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone that has this problem uses ati radeon video card?
MilesJ
4 Posts
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August 9th, 2004 06:00
twester
1 Rookie
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10 Posts
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August 10th, 2004 16:00
Fourth video card, second motherboard, third AC adapter, but so far it seems to be working.
How much has Dell spent on repairs for this one problem, I wonder.
Thanks to anyone who gave suggestions.
Laper
11 Posts
0
August 17th, 2004 04:00
Tedulrik, I just did the dell diagnostic test on my old Geforce4 go 32mb. It gives me this error message:
Test Errors
VESA SVGA Video - Video Memory Test : Fail
Status: Fail Status Code: DOS DDG-D VIDEO 010 025
Device: VESA_SVGA_Video Test: Video_Memory_Test
Release: 1096 Module(s): Video
Msg: Detected a failure while writing and reading video memory. Video mode:
4h (320x200x4). Address BA1E8h, expected to read 0h, but read FFh instead.
I guess I am having the same problem as yours. My geforce4 go 64mb doesn't fail during the diagnostic test. However I am seeing the same problem though less frequently. I suspect that when the problem occurs, it will fail the diagnostic test as well. I think I am going to return the 64mb one since it is still under 3 months warranty.
Does anyone know how to fix this problem? Will getting new video card fix this problem permanently? I do not want to buy a new video card that works only for 2 month just like my previous geforce4 go 64mb :(.
twester
1 Rookie
•
10 Posts
0
August 17th, 2004 16:00
The problem on my laptop has finally gone away, after about five video cards, and a new motherboard. What Dell eventually did was to replace the heatsink. I noticed the new one was a copper heatsink, rather than aluminum. So far the computer has been running at least 10 degrees centigrade cooler than before. It seems that the problem may be that the laptops with aluminum heatsinks may not be able to sufficiently cool the CPU/video card (Both run off the same heat exchanger) when they get dirty. Hopefully this new heatsink along with regular cleaning should solve the problem.
I hope this helps other people