Diagnose this! (M170 video problem)

My XPS M170 has developed some sort of video artifact - a repeating pattern across the screen. A quick search online has me thinking my video card is dying because there are several similar posts I have found. The laptop hasn't been abused or overclocked and really hasn't even been used that much. Its been in a temperature controlled room on a desk and even during use hasn't felt hot.

Even at cold boot its showing artifact in the bios and in windows:



specs: M170 2ghz, 2048mb ram, 7800gtx.

Is there anything I could try to fix this: reseating the card, cleaning hsf, use AS5 paste?
The laptop is out of warranty, so I'm assuming calling Dell is a waste of time.
Is this problem even worth trying to fix? a new 7800gtx on ebay is around $250 minimum.
Do you think I should just part out the laptop on ebay?
How much could I make selling the remaining good parts?

 

Have you tried an external monitor for testing purposes? I'm kind of assuming you'll get the same display, but it'd be worth a test.

I'm not sure I'd bother trying to fix it if it's out of warranty. Maybe if I knew for sure what the problem was and was 100% certain that the replacement card would work...but it'd be a bummer to spend $250 on a card and find out that it didn't fix it.

You might just try to sell it as is, as opposed to actually parting it out. You might run across a buyer who already has a suitable replacement card and might like to buy your notebeook and fix it.

 

Hi, I haven't tried an external monitor yet, but I will. I'm still thinking this is probably a card problem since there seems to be quite a few posts about xps video cards dying.

any chance this could be a mobo problem? anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

Looks like your GPU is fried, well at least the Ram on the GPU. I have the samem problem, though not as extreme. But I know for sure it is my GPU since I ran the Dell Diagnostics.

 

Your GPU is gone. I had the same thing happen with my M170 twice now and im currently on my 3rd GPU. Pretty soon it will stop booting up at all. Goodluck finding a new card as there rare and cost allot.

 

Try a external monitor first and hope for the best.

Because if its not the LCD then your GPU memory is fried. It will be a pain to replace.

 

If you are interested in keeping your machine running a little longer, I have a spare Quadro 1400go I could sell you for $75. Its essentially a 6800go with CAD drivers, so it is slower but might be cheaper than buying a new laptop altogether.