New Gfx card install!

So my GFX card fried the day after I got my Alienware m15x 8800GTX. Was just watching blue-rays then started skipping and then tottally stopped tried everything. Went throught all tech support etc. FRIED!

So their sending me a replacement GFX card. (was hoping it was drivers)

My question is:

Does anyone know of a install guide for the GFX card online. Or just a Guide to remove the case? Links would be helpful Thanks!

 

wow that's something new.

 

Here you go

http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...nBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9bTE1eA**&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

Wow. Take pics of the install

 

And of the fried graphics card..


I bet that's not something the tech support people hear everyday. How would they know you're not just trying to get another graphics card when your old one is fine? Did they connect to your laptop through that myHive thing?

 

I don't believe this. GFX fried after just getting it? Smell something fishy...

 

The guides great but, i noticed that when you remove the heatsink, although the guide tells you how to put it back (align the same screws you took off lol) nowhere mentions re-applying the thermal compound.... Is it me or is this necessary? Especailly when you're changing the GPU, it will be clean...

OB

 

If the gfx is fried I doubt he could turn on the computer to setup access with AW support through myHive.

@Oodle-bear I'm guessing they supply the thermal paste when they ship the card but... who knows .

 

I wouldn't hold my breath on the thermal paste. When Alienware sent me out a set of replacement video cards, there wasn't any paste in the box. I would call and confirm that it's coming.

Gabe

P.S. - Correct proceedure indicates that new thermal paste should be applied everytime the bond is broken between the heat sink and its corresponding chip. However, as long as the machine is fairly new, and the paste isn't dry or flacky, you can just re fasten the heat sink down.

 

did you email them a picture of the card at all? i didn't think they sent out replacement cards if you just told them it doesn't work.

i don't think a movie caused it to fry. it could have shorted from somewhere and fried it that way. but do indeed post pictures.

 

so, if you do the fix, does it void the warranty?

 

a seriously fried gfx cards.... THAT IS FREAKING WEIRD MANnn....

 

He fried it by watching a Blue-ray movie.

Maybe he was covering up the vents or something.

 

Ya..I was on the phone with tech support for about 4 hours before they made the decision to send me out a new gfx card. Ill take pics of the card and of the install. They connected to my computer many times... FRIED! Maybe.... it was from covering the vents? I norm on my laptop in bed(sitting on the covers, but try and give it some air.)

 

I used to do that but i used a lap-tray with a bean-bag attached to the bottom. It's for eating from you're lap but made a great notebook stand and it meatnt that i could alter the angle of the screen without moving it, just tilt the tray a little lol

I hope your new one works ok, once you get it of course?

Are you nervous about fitting it?

OB

 

Yeah, that very well could have done it, especially given the fact the m15x's air intakes are on the bottom & its general difficulty with removing heat.

 

Not really worried about installing it, built a few computer before, never done a laptop though... part could come towmarrow or sat.

 

I'm sure it will be fine, there's the guide on the AW site that's pretty good.

At least your not a beginner and never touched a pc before (",)

OB