XPS 1330 Graphics problems - AGAIN!

Question

I've had my xsp 1330 for about 9 or 10 months now. In December last year I started getting display driver errors and my screen was going blank with coloured lines that sort of move across the screen slowly from left to right. The problem started slowly then eventually the laptop would not work at all. Dell was not sure at the time what the problem was (or it seemed that way) but eventually sent someone out. He replaced the motherboard. I do love home tech support!

Now, the VERY SAME PROBLEM AGAIN! Yesterday I got the display driver error. Today I have the coloured lines and I'm unable to use the laptop.

2 friends who purchased the same model xps have had identital problems and they have new motherboards also.

So....Dell is replacing mine again. But I am concerned about the ongoing life of my laptop. My warranty runs out in a few months. If the same problem happens again in 6 months time (which now seems likely) I am told that it would not be covered under warranty. I would need to purchase additional warranty time. Dell do not warrant the individual new parts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can they wash their hands of any responsibility like that for selling me a defective product?

Has anyone else had the problem re-occur? I am most concerned that I have purchased myself a very expensive lemon, and horrified to hear that Dell will not protect me if this faulty part continues to cause problems.

Message Edited by rae70 on 06-21-2008 09:54 PM

anakin1 · Answer

I have the exact same problem here but after 7 months. I had to replace both motherboard and HD. I've been told the problem comes with the N-Vidia graphic card - which the cooling system cannot cool fast enough. My Question is dose DELL aware of the problem,

Which I understood to be repeated again and again with the N-Vidia configuration globally and, how they are treating it – or should I just keep replacing motherboards every 6-7 months

tuxedo_black · Answer

there are multiple forum posts about this problem and still no solution from Dell. what do they take their customers for? don't they think they're wasting too much money replacing motherboards over and over? why don't they just spend that money on improving the quality of the parts?

anyway, some guy named KenHT found the problem and it has something to do with the cooling system, sort of, that the fan accumulates too much dust and so it can't cool the nvidia device. yeah, something like that. he has suggested a new cooling system, maybe you should try it out.

sorry i already lost the link. i'm sure you'll find it.

Ghost_Boxer · Answer

Dell wont comment on the overheat issues with the 8400GS.. they know the problem exists but wont do anything. They released a new BIOS (A11) which increases the fan speed when the heat gets too much. But really this isnt enough as the problem is to do with the heat disapation.

sol7789 · Answer

I've had the issue three times now. Dell customer support is unhelpful and seems oblivious (or like they're playing dumb) to the issue. All they do is replace mb's... its very frustrating : (

KenHT · Answer

Does it look anything like what these people are experiencing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkw47rprZU8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HedG0xrYKB8&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCAyUGxTzc4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euEKCLuYyfc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MohFVdzQHDc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgTDXgFbHvk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II23pavSeLI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TG8qVv1g9c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmtLKwATC1Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21i3H4PFCTM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0_dN0HLY5g&feature=related

mirker · Answer

I had my del xps 1330m for 6 months now and i have the same issue. It looks like the links yeah.

KenHT · Answer

@mirker wrote:

I had my del xps 1330m for 6 months now and i have the same issue.

It looks like the links yeah.

GPU overheat and burn out... call Dell to change the motherboard again. It'll happen again... I had mine change 4 times already...

Ghost_Boxer · Answer

question.. if the 8400GS is sooo poor why have it installed???

KenHT · Answer

@rae70 wrote:
Yes Ken - that is exactly what my problem looks like! I can't believe so many people are having the same problem. Horrified to think what will happen after my warranty runs out.

Have a look at another thread I started. A few of us did our own fix for it. It's good that Dell replaces the motherboard to rectify the damage. I don't find it practical to have a tech dropping over so often. Its nice to have a chat and tea with the fella. But, we all have our lives to attend to.

Also, what happens when the warranty expires?

Anyway, I'm still hoping that Dell would implement a permanent fix, rather than having us resort to our own mods.

That said, I made my own fix for the time being. You can find more link that may interest you further below.

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS_Laptop&thread.id=19301&view=by_date_ascending&page=1

Message Edited by KenHT on 06-23-2008 06:50 PM

rae70 · Answer

Yes Ken - that is exactly what my problem looks like! I can't believe so many people are having the same problem. Horrified to think what will happen after my warranty runs out.

rae70 · Answer

Wow, Ken - you're obviously very clever! I don't think I'd have any hope of making a modification like that myself. It is a shame the Dell techs aren't able to make a more long term fix like that, rather than continually just sticking in new boards.

Where does that leave the rest of us then when the warranty runs out???

KenHT · Answer

@mirker wrote:
Do you have a pic of that mod? :)

Have a look at the first post. Someone else took pictures. It's quite easy if you're reasonably capable with screwdrivers. No cutting or filing involved.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=250129&page=9

mirker · Answer

Do you have a pic of that mod? :)

mirker · Answer

The post discusses a recurring graphics problem with the XPS 1330 laptop. The user experienced display driver errors and colored lines on the screen, leading to the motherboard being replaced. However, the same problem has occurred again, and the user is concerned about the ongoing life of the laptop and Dell's warranty coverage. They ask if others have experienced the same issue and express frustration with Dell's lack of responsibility. The answer to the post is unrelated, discussing the purchase of chopper sheets for the graphics processor and chipset.

KenHT · Answer

@mirker wrote:

Hello! :)

I just got my new motherboard from dell, really phast service! :D

Now i am searching for some store where i live to go buy some chopper sheets.

I saw that you used a 1.5mm thickness sheet for the graphics processor.

I'm thinking of getting a sheet for the chipset too, what dimentions do you think would make a fit for that?

Message Edited by mirker on 06-26-2008 10:07 AM

I can't say for the northbridge/chipset. But it's not really producing much heat. So I left it alone. Also since the whole length was held down by 1 spring loaded screw. I was concerned that the copper for the chipset may not seat well in between. You needn't worry about the chipset really. The culprit is the GPU burning out. All we're trying to achieve is not to have it burnt again.

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XPS 1330 Graphics problems - AGAIN!

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