The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Pls Help...... Dell Inspiron 9400

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by muzzy001, May 10, 2009.

  1. muzzy001

    muzzy001 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi there,

    I have a Dell Inspiron 9400 laptop/notebook which recently has started to get green pixels throughout the whole screen. Have also tested external monitor and get the same result.
    I have searched, googled and even called dell and the response on all cases was that i need to replace my graphics card.
    The graphics card i originally have in it is a Nvidia Geforce Go 7800 graphics card 256MB. Model number is P494 (if that helps makes it easier)
    Could someone pls advise me or any compatible cards where i can get the same card or any other card which is compatible and a reasonable price.
    I am also after a WLAN card. WLAN Dell part number 0KC501 and also require the 2 cables for Main and Aux or the connectors which click on them as mine are completely damaged and need to be replaced.

    Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated

    thanking you in advance

    muzzy001
     
    muzzy001, May 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

    Reputations:
    3,833
    Messages:
    8,209
    Likes Received:
    16
    Trophy Points:
    206
    If you're under warranty, Dell should take care of all of that for you.

    EDIT - apparently I'm an idiot.
     
    Mastershroom, May 10, 2009
    #2
  3. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

    Reputations:
    5,855
    Messages:
    8,609
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    206
    The 9400/E1705 is one of the few laptops that has a replaceable/upgradable GPU. Since its a propriety slot, you can only use what Dell offered with that laptop, which is the 7800, 7900GS, 900GTX, and 7950GTX(I believe that requires a mod).

    Notebook check has a guide on how the change the graphic card to a 7900GTX(pay attention to all the warnings/precautions).
    http://www.notebookcheck.net/Case-Study-Replacing-the-Video-Card-of-a-Dell-Inspiron-E1705-9400.4187.0.html

    Quick check shows that the GPUs are available on Ebay for a couple of hundred...IDK if Dell has them in stock.

    As for the wireless card, I believe the Dell 1390, Dell 1490, or Intel 3945 miniPCIe Card should work assuming the port/terminal on the motherboard isnt damaged. Google search on part number 0KC501 suggests that you have the Intel card installed...also Google the names for more info/product links.
     
    Kdawgca, May 10, 2009
    #3
  4. josh001

    josh001 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I was about to play my game on my laptop when all of a sudden it froze, so i rebooted (ctrl-alt-del) and when it came back on again it asked me if I wanted safe mode or to start windows normally. I picked normally.

    So it takes me to the usual windows xp loading bar that moves across but the screen is pixelated, coloured pin points in windows logo as well.

    Then I get a blue screen with writing and then the computer re-started. This time I tried last known good configuration, but same thing again. It let me get into safe mode after a while but it does not let me in to regular mode. Having tried all sorts of things I finally took it to a local repair shop technomart and it was a faulty video chip. All that time wasted looking for a software problem. So hope this helps.
     
    josh001, May 10, 2009
    #4
  5. muzzy001

    muzzy001 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    My Wlan card is a WM3945ABG ROW. I had a look on ebay for the WLAN card with the cable connectors and could not find one i also looked for a PCI Express video card as an alternative to Nvidia Geforce Go 7800 which are the 7800, 7900GS, 900GTX, and 7950GTX as stated in previous post by Kdawgca however all the cards I am finding are for towers not for laptops. If anyone can pls post me a link where i can find it on ebay for the correct video card and WLAN that would be so much appreciated.
     
    muzzy001, May 13, 2009
    #5
  6. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

    Reputations:
    5,855
    Messages:
    8,609
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    206
    To search on ebay for your card, type the vc you want and then E1705 after that. So, for the 7900gs you would type '7900GS E1705' in ebay...for the 7800, it would be '7800 E1705'

    You should find stuff like this:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-Inspiron-E1705-9400-256MB-Video-card-7900GS-DG008_W0QQitemZ370198536789QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Video_TV_Cards?hash=item56318d6255&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

    If you can't find cable connectors, you may have to get an exterla WLAN ExpressCard.
     
    Kdawgca, May 13, 2009
    #6
  7. muzzy001

    muzzy001 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    thankyou so much for that Kdawgca. could you pls advise me where i can get the cable for the antenae wireless for the wlan card and what is the exact name for it . Is it available as a seprate standalone item or do you have to buy it complete with the lcd screen case. If i can find it with the wlan card complete it may be easier i don't know. The screen i have on dell inspiron 9400 is a UXGA i 17 inch widescreen 1920x1200 resolution
     
    muzzy001, May 13, 2009
    #7