XPS m1730 video problem

The mainboard has been replaced to fix the battery not charging! Of course, that didn't fix that problem, a new battery did. My LCD screen has a couple of dead pixels, so I want it replaced. The BSOD error message said the display driver failed so the tech replaced the video drivers. Hopefully replacing the GPU will fix this. It probably would have been cheaper to replace the whole laptop in instead of piece by piece! Thanks for the response.

Now, I'm glad I purchased the extended warranty protection. The computer is a little over a year old and this will be the second on site service call. In the first service call, replacing the mainboard was probably not necessary because the battery was the problem, but , until someone checks out the system you never know what is wrong. Overall, I have good luck with Dell even though there have been problems. My Dell desktop system has been working for over 6 yrs.now with only the cpu fan needing replacement.

On Friday, the Dell tech replaced the video card and the LCD screen. The problem looked like it was fixed. I used my laptop Fri night and all of Saturday until about 11:00 pm. I was listening to music, and the screen went black like it was in hibernation, but when I went to turn it back on, nothing!  Now, it looks like it is booting but no Dell screen, no Windows splash screen. I get HD activity, but no picture. This is really starting to get annoying!

I just spent an hour and a half on Dell Chat and the solution is to replace the whole system since they can't figure out the problem.

I have been recently going through the same thing with my M1730.  I reported the problem two weeks ago with a promise from tech support of a three day in home replacement.  I was also promised a follow up call from Dell to make sure I had been contacted by a field support representative within the same three business days.  One week later, with no word from anyone one, I called Dell and was informed of a parts delay but was again promised a new three day in home replacement.  I called back to Dell today after again not hearing from anyone for a week.  I was told the parts delay story again with an in stock date of November 2nd.  I am the IT resource for my company and I have been down this road often enough to know when something is not right.  I took only a few additional questions directed at the level 1 tech support before I was politely asked to hold for a supervisor.  After 15 minutes of hold music I was connected with someone whom I was hoping could finally help me.

Well rather than try and help resolve the issue I was instead treated to 30 minutes of “Let’s Make A Deal”.  This is where it really got interesting.  I was offered a brand new replacement laptop!  But, when I asked what kind of laptop the details got very vague…   After a little digging it was revealed that I would be getting an XPS1640.  Great!   My excitement was quickly dosed when it was explained to me that the new XPS 1640 would not be configure to match or exceed my current machine.  It would be a base model with a integrated video card, no SLI, a slower processor than my 18 month old 1730, less RAM, and …. wait for it… Windows 7!  So not only do I get a pre-configure paperweight of a laptop, I also get to be an early adopter of new operating system.  And I would only have to wait 3-4 weeks to get it! 

Then, like Ricardo1978, I was offered the replacement 9800 video cards.  Again, after a little digging I was dismayed to learn that not only would the 9800 be a performance down grade but it would not be replacement at all.  It was simply a loaner to get me by until the original cards come in.  So now my choices are

1.       Sit here with a dead $3000.00+ laptop with highest, most expensive level of ineffective Premium support offered by one of the largest computer manufactures on the planet and hope that they get around to fixing it one day.

2.       Give up my custom configure rig and all that comes with it for a pretty new paperweight of a Laptop with an untested OS that will only take a month to get.

3.       Let a local support tech crack open my rig twice.  Let them twice change the configuration all the way down to the Bios.  And then hope everything works out before I have to do a complete system restore.

If this is the way that Dell wants to handle the customer experience of their Flagship product line than I can say with 100% of certainty that neither I nor my company will ever be buy another Dell product again.

I was offered the same deal, an xps m1640. When I inquired about hard drive bays, I was told the 1640 only had one. I explained to the tech that I need at least two drives because I use one for a scratch disk for Photoshop. He put me on hold while researching the options, when he came back I was offered an Alienware M17x with similar or better specs. I'm still waiting for the new computer as it is "in production". Dell said it would take between 10-15 business days to get the replacement laptop. I'm looking forward to getting this laptop.

Two weeks ago my XPS M1730 stopped recognizing the power adapter.  A tech came and replaced the power adapter and the motherboard.  Now, the NVIDIA graphics card will not recognize my external monitor.  After talking with tech support, which was actually quick and helpful, I was offered the same deal, XPS M1640, or a full refund.  I looked and it does look like a downgrade.  Maybe I should have taken the $3900 refund and just reinvested it another computer?  I will call back and ask for the Alienware M17X.

I'm also having the problem with the red,blue, green, white, black alternating screen on start up.

I called dell...about 7 times and transfered about 6 times each...and they kept telling me that it was out of warrantee and i'd have to pay to have them tell me my videocard was bad and then have them tell me i'd have to purchase a new videocard through them that cost $1100...oh and they dont have any...but they do have a 8700gs card that would work but it's about 1/4 the performance of a 8800m GTX Sli card.

Ever since i've been trying to find a vender that sells these cards...with no luck...i'm so glad i spent over $3000 on a paperweight...

Same story as other - XPS m1730 screen flashing : red - blue - green .

Was wondering as mine is way out of warranty if anyone has found root cause before i throw the thing away .

If it is 8800mGTX card im certainly not replacing it - far as i found out it is likely to happen again.

Also seen a solution for fixing the card if that is the issue by baking them in the oven to re-solder connections - seriously !

Poor excuse for a Laptop and Product !

2nd XPS lappy with issues .

Flagship model - what a joke .

By far a sad statement for the company - poor support - bad product , hard to even contemplate buying another Dell product ever.

Travis

Can anyone tell me if the 9800GTX SLI will fit in a XPS born with Dual 8800M GTX?

Yesterday my system came out with the same color-flickering issue :(

The 9800m GTX SLI works with the 1730m XPS laptop. Problem will be getting your hands on one. I spent a good hour talking to a Dell sales rep and they sell the 9800m GTX for almost double the cost of the 8800M GTX. Biggest problem is they haven't had either of those cards in stock for a very long time. So finding one from a different supplier is the only option at this point...and let me tell you...have fun trying to find one.

http://pinnacledata.co.uk/

If you're having trouble finding one, might try this company. I just got one from them and at a reasonable price...with free global shipping. Got here in a couple days. They have really good customer support also.

thnx alot...The reason I asked is I did find one, and the price is ok...I just dont want to buy it and then find out, it wouldnt work :)