Oficial Dell defective laptop models.

Download and read about the updated bios at Direct2Dell blog

NVIDIA GPU Update for Dell Laptop Owners
Fri. Jul. 25, 2008

Earlier this month, sites like Ars Technica and ZDNet blogged about NVIDIA’s statement regarding a potential issue with some of NVIDIA's Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) used in notebooks. According to NVIDIA, these affected GPUs are experiencing higher than expected failure rates causing video problems. Though this issue is not unique to Dell, some of these affected GPUs are used in certain Dell laptops. That's why I wanted to take a few minutes here to explain the issue and to let customers know what to do next.

The issue is a weak die/packaging material set, which may fail with GPU temperature fluctuations. If your GPU fails, you may see intermittent symptoms during early stages of failure that include:

* Multiple images
* Random characters on the screen
* Lines on the screen
* No video

Dell recommends that you flash your system BIOS (see links in the table below). Each of these BIOS updates listed in the table below modifies the fan profile to help regulate GPU temperature fluctuations. Note: if you are already experiencing video-related issues like the bullet points above, updating the BIOS will not correct them. Dell will provide support for customers who have experienced GPU failure according to the terms of the system warranty.

These BIOS updates will help reduce the likelihood of GPU issues. New systems are being shipped with the updated BIOS revisions. Here's the list of the latest BIOS versions. Click on the links below to download them.

Dell Product Name

XPS M1530
XPS M1330
Vostro Notebook 1710
Vostro Notebook 1510
Vostro Notebook 1400
Vostro Notebook 1310
Dell Precision M2300
Latitude D630c
Latitude D630
Inspiron 1420

 

I think if I see one more thread about overheating GPU's and defective Dell computers ... I just might throw up ... but thanks for the links anyways.

 

I couldn't find any post with the bios update, but if there is another one, I'll have a mod delete this thread.

 

so nvidia paid 200 millions to manufactures like dell, but dell are giving us 2 cents worth BIOS update?

 

Theres about 10 of these threads in the Dell section but none here in gaming.

Its the GDDR3 cards that are affected. Thats why the Inspiron 1520,1720 and Vostro 1500,1700 isnt on the list

 

Which ones are using the 8600m gt ddr2 model, because I thought it was just the ddr3 models that aren't working like the 8400m gs and the 8600m gt ddr3?

 

I think what he meant to say was GDDR3 because the other models don't have that version. But I don't think that its the memory thats the problem it's the graphics core and a lot of over exaggerating people.

 

Flip , you may want to edit that. It`s GDDR2 that are not affected

 

Why would you not think it's the memory? If only the DDR3 are affected, that means it most likely has to do with the memory modules.

Some people are just in denial...

 

Woops yeah my bad

From the looks of it, the affected models are GDDR3 8600GT and 8400 GS (they only came in GDDR3 afaik)

 

I thought it was the graphics core that was the problem, not the memory.

 

We don't know for sure, but if the GDDR3 are the only affected cores... I think it has to do with the memory.

OR... they are using a different core with the GDD3's...

 

my ddr2 8600m gt went bad though i had crazy lines going up and down on my screen and i also got a very strange cloud effect. lucky best buy is going to junk my laptop and let me pick out a new one.

 

God bless for 3 year complete care lol.

 

Different memory type = different core speeds = different build?

 

Nvidia paid Dell? I thought it was the other way round.

I actually do agree with Ttime20 that some of the fuss is due to users exaggerating or being overly sensitive, similar to the grainy screen issue.

 

The GPU core has to support the different memory (GDDR3 is different in speed and voltage), so it makes sense to assume the GPU core will be made at a different point/time to the DDR2 cores and from a different material.
Quote from Wiki: "It has much the same technological base as DDR2, but the power and heat dispersal requirements have been reduced somewhat, allowing for higher-speed memory modules, and simplified cooling systems.".
Maybe here is a clue as to why the GDDR3 versions are effected with a poor heat capability-This is just speculation, but educated speculation. nVidia upgrades from DDR2 and uses GDDR3. They realize they can "save" a little from weaker/cheaper material for the substrate. This weaker/cheaper material cannot handle the temperature changes going on in laptops and thus fail early. As I said this is just speculation, but as I work in the sub-contract PCB assembly industry I know what sort of tricks are used to try and save a few £/$.

 

ALL HAIL NON DEFECTIVE 8600mGT DDR2's!!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOO!

 

Don't take my word for it. I am just speculating/summizing.

 

The older A1 revisions for the 8600m GT (like my card) don't seem to be affected, it seems every model dating from the XPS1530 onwards has the GPU problem so I agree with the memory being a possible cause.

 

The guy a few posts before you said his 8600m GT with gddr2 failed on him ... no one is safe

 

However, that could be an unrelated failure. It could be he overclocked it far too much and it died, or it could be that it was just a faulty GPU. Might not be related.

 

Just hope for the best

 

nvidia should fix it's issues