Nvidia GPU Settlement - Free Repair or Replacement For Defective Graphics Cards

I am posting this here because it concerns hardware, namely graphics cards. I write to alert readers to developments concerning defective NVIDIA graphics cards and a potential solution. This was a problem affecting many of us and was widely reported in the media.

Around a year and a half ago, there were several threads, and one was quite long, about defective NVIDIA graphics cards. These NVIDIA graphics cards were primarily in Dell, HP, and some Apple notebooks. The NVIDIA graphics cards were overheating and/or failing at a high rate, resulting in distorted graphics, malfunctioning screens, and occasionally system lockups.

A class action lawsuit was filed against NVIDIA over the defective graphics cards. The lawsuit was recently settled.

Some of the good news is consumers may be entitled to a free repair, or perhaps even replacement, if they have an affected computer model that is suffering from the defect.

You can visit NVIDIA Settlement and get a list of affected models. It's a large list, including Dell Latitude, Inspiron, Precision, XPS, Vostro, HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario, and Apple Mackbook Pros. The list includes "product identification numbers" so you can see whether you have an affected notebook included in the list. The list of affected models is here.

If you have one of these malfunctioning computers, you may have several options. You can send it in for free to get the defective NVIDIA card replaced with a working card, at no cost -- even shipping is free. If you've already spent money to repair or replace the NVIDIA card, and you have a receipt, you may be able to get reimbursed. And in the case of some HP Notebooks, you may be entitled to a replacement computer.

So if you suffered with one of these computers and a failing card, it really makes sense to visit the settlement website and register. If your notebook is still broken, send it in. And if you have an HP, you may even be able to get a replacement. Well worth it.

 

I could be curious what their repair procedure is, the materials that the cards are made with is the fundamental problem, so the way to repair it would be to hot-solder (using the correct solder) a new chip on, and I'm not sure nvidia is going to pay to have that done to the tens of thousands of cards that are effected.

 

I think they are going to pay to have the computers repaired. They took a huge charge against earnings, to the tune of $193 million, to pay for this settlement. Nvidia Profitability. That's not chump change.

At a miniumum it makes sense to register and go through the process, since it costs no dollars and will take only a little bit of your time.

 

i agree with formfactor. i have however sold my old dv9470, but if i had it definitely go through the proceedure