G1S fried GPU

Hi, I have the same problem everyone else seems to be getting sooner or later with their nvidia GPUs. In my case this happened 6 months after the Asus 2 Year Limited Global Warranty went out.

I bought an ASUS G1S-A1 from GenTech Computers 06/26/2007. It came with the GeForce G8600M GT 256MB graphics card. A couple of days ago my laptop wouldnt start up (hard-drive sounds, ASUS logo on OLED display, start-up "kaboom", but nothing on screen and it never comes any further).

Has anyone tried claiming for a refund/replacement from the retailer where they purchased it? If so, how did things go? I am really annoyed by the fact that a $2000 laptop stops working a couple of months out of warranty, and then you have to pay for the repair when there is a known issue with the video card.

 

I am sorry for your bad luck. Unfortunately, I know EXACTLY how you're feeling. This is exactly what happened to my 8600m gs (Sager NP2090). Everything booted up but blank screen. And this was 6 months after my warranty ended as well.

I RMA'ed it back to Sager and they quoted me $400 for a new 8600m gs with a 6 month warranty. I fought hard with Sager and the reseller but no luck. I am now selling off the working parts to my $1600 laptop.

Asus might handle the situation better though. Sager's CS was so rude and unprofessional to me that I'll never go that route again.

If you're bold enough and already made the decision to buy another laptop, you could try baking your motherboard. Here's the guide:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=437683

Good luck!

 

had the G1S as well. Big problem with it as a ton of people have experienced the same including myself. You will need to call asus and if your warranty has expired they will replace your laptop with the G50Vt-X5. Price wise, its only about 750 but the specs are better than the G1S except for the CPU (2.13 but you can overclock it using direct console) and the screen resolution is significantly lower. I've heard that if you're out of warranty you will need to pay 250.

I took the G50 and its a good laptop. Would've liked it if they actually gave me a 2000 laptop since that's what I paid, not 750.

 

Technology is oh-so bittersweet.

 

Many have received a G50V(t) replacement for the G1S due to the faulty 8600M GT GPU, however it might be different in your case since your warranty has already expired. I would try either contact Asus directly or Ken at GentechPC and go from there.

 

Indeed, as David suggests -- first call should be to Ken.

 

I've never heard of baking a motherboard to try to fix the connections, but I don't know if thats the problem in the G1S. Even if it is, I don't think I would risk it!

I actually got a reply from Ken at GentechPC, but he said I would have to replace the motherboard at own cost via ASUS, about $350. I find that expensive, especially if they will simply put in another faulty 8600gt which will die on me again. I am also annoyed by the fact that the replacement laptops many have been offered has such a lower resolution. Well, since my warranty is out maybe I'll be so lucky I don't get any compensation at all.

 

Asus will most likely put in a G1Sn mobo with the 9500M GS GPU. These GPUs will not be subject to premature overheating, but they will run a tad slower than the 8600M GT.

 

Well that doesnt sound too bad. Does anyone have experience with ASUS customer support in Norway or the Czech Republic? I bought my laptop in the US, and have family who live there, but I am currently studying in Europe. Is it possible for me to have my laptop repaired in Europe, and for the same price? I have a relative who can bring it to the states after christmas, the problem would be getting it back again.

 

So, I ended up sending it from Iowa to ASUS in Indiana. I sent with a problem description also noting I wasn't interested in a gpu that overheats and burns out on people.

I was told they would contact me when they knew the problem and could tell me the costs. Instead I got it back yesterday with a note saying the part "G1S MAIN BD._0M/AS" was replaced (I'm guessing this was the motherboard). When I turned it on it still says its the 8600m GPU (so they didn't replace it with a G1Sn).

What will happen if it crashes on me again in 6 months? Will ASUS be out of responsibility if the laptop was bought 3 years ago? What if it crashes 4 years old? I don't expect a laptop to last eternally, but I would like to keep it for another couple of years at least. The problem is, I am studying in Europe at the moment, so its not like I can send in my laptop to ASUS U.S. the second it fails again. I will be back again this summer but still..

I hear these "repaired" laptops when they simply replace the 8600 with another one have a tendency to crash within months. Or am I mistaken and is there actually a "fix" of the 8600 now (i.e. it no longer overheats)? If not, what do you suggest I do? Send it back to ASUS now (it just came back from repairs), or use should I use Irathi's guide ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=146088) to modify the cooling and hope it'll last a couple more years (voiding warranty)?

 

Yes. Why did u send it to Asus across the world when they have a ASUS Service station that repairs here in Oslo? I damaged my motherboard on the M50vm, and i called ASUS Norway and they replaced it in Oslo. But if they fix ur laptop in Iowa and it gets destroyed for some reason after 1 year, You still have a 2 year warranty on the part they fixed and they are forced to repair it 4 free .

 

When you get it back, check if it's overheating. If it is, even in the slightest, make sure you contact them and tell them about it.

That's what I did, and I got the G50 replacement my second time around (250$ total). Mine was idling at 90c, I can't see yours being much better.

The G50 is a real gaming notebook, the G1S was similar performance of a geforce 7 series, while the g50 is similar to the geforce 8. We all know how kickass the 8 series was =p

I swear, a thread like this pops up every day....it's terrible

(also, you can successfully sue your reseller if you run into trouble. There's an entire forum dedicated to it, just google "nvidia defect")

 

I had only heard bad reports from people sending their ASUS laptops to repair in Europe. I was thinking I might get a better deal in the states. However, now I am not so sure.. Are you sure there is a "new" 2 year warranty on repairs? I thought is was only 30 days..

Okay, maybe Ill do that. How exactly do you check if it overheats though? Is there some build-in thermometer you can access somehow or do you have to use whatever thermometer you have lying around the house? In that case, where do I measure to get the best result? Do I have to screw off some lid?

 

If i remember correctly all the bad reviews was from the Service center in Netherland. I recieved good service and repair from the one in Oslo. And im pretty shure you`ll get the same warranty on the "repaired" part as you get from a new product

 

Seems like I can use RivaTuner to measure cpu and gpu temperature. Was your GPU idling at 90c? What are normal rates for a 8600m card?

 

Yeah GPU and GPU have built in temp sensors that you can read through software. Riviatuner works, I would download HWMonitor though.

A rule of thumb for GPU's is that under 90c is considered safe. Anything higher and you run the risk of your hardware aging prematurely. 85c and lower is safer though (depends on the chip), and I really like staying in the 70's, but that's just me (it requires some mods too). Take these number with a grain of salt, it may a few Celsius different from what I'm telling you, but not too much.

Mine was idling at 90c, and while gaming I went up to about 105c

hope this helps

 

After a long time sending my laptop back and forth I was finally offered a replacement:

G71GX-RX05
Size: 17.1"
Weight: 8.8 Lbs
Processor: Intel C2D P8700 2.53 GHZ
Ram: 6GB DDR2
Video Card: Nvidia GTX 260M 1GB
Screen: 1440x900 LCD
Hard Drive: 500GB dont know rpm
Optical Drive: DVD Burner
Wireless: B/G/N
Battery: 8-Cell

Can anyone tell me anything about this laptop performance-wise? Are there any issues with it so that Id rather keep my old "repaired" G1S (still with 8600 GPU)? I would assume the screen is worse than the G1S..

 

Well only the screen is not as good (resolution wise) all the rest is much superior.

 

The GTX260 is the current best Asus has for the 15.6" which is your G1S, I would suspect is considerably better.

The lower res might be better to be able to play the latest games at those native resolutions and still look good?

 

I bet if you offered them $350 more you could get an G73.......

 

I bet they would ask for $1,599

 

good system, go for it. Only thing to watch out for is that the laptop will be huge. Its a 17 inch but widescreen so its pretty big. I got a G50vt and its supposed to be a 15 inch but its more like a 17 inch.

 

All you have to do is complain enough,say that you payed $2000,Say that they are not holding up the restrictions on replacements....

 

Dude they are not going to give you a deal on their current flagship. Especially when the original was a 15.6" midrange laptop.

Maybe in dreamland, but Asus would be stupid to do this.

 

The G1 at $2000 was hardly midrange.....
I'm just saying they are offering him an $1300 machine right now so.....