DV9000t Laptop Video Card is dead! Can I replace it or should I try to sell?? HELP!!!

Hey everyone, I've got a DV9000T 17" HP laptop with 2GB RAM, 2 100GB Hard Drives (7200RPM), nVidia 7600go (I think this is broken), Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2000MHz, Vista Ultimate x64 (still have the recovery disc), and all batteries/chargers and stuff.

It turns on and runs anything that don't use the display drivers fine. BIOS and POST screens are discolored and have lines through them, leading me to think that the graphics card (nVidia 7600go) is just malfunctioning. BIOS still works fine, it just has strange markings on it. Markings are NOT on the screen itself, they are part of the software - not the laptop screen. There are also moments when the discoloration stops and everything loads fine. But usually about 10 mins into loading, things will start to act up graphically. I have run a hard drive and RAM test - both are working 100%. When Vista was installed, it ran perfectly under safe mode with no graphics drivers, but when I ran the HP recovery disc, the install was unable to finish because it tried to automatically load the drivers. This is where it is stuck, it can boot into CD's but if they use graphic drivers, the discoloration and lines show up. I know the screen itself is fine because it works perfectly if graphic drivers aren't being used. I have taken perfect care of it and there is no other damage to the machine

Do you think anyone on ebay would buy this? I paid $2200 for the laptop and I don't just want to sell it for like $500 if you guys can think of any better ideas - like is it possible to replace the card? I bought the nVidia 7600go instead of choosing onboard intel graphics; does this help?

 

Sounds like you'll need a new motherboard to fix the Graphics card problem. It shouldn't cost 500 dollars to replace the motherboard, though I could be wrong

Have you checked to see if its covered by some extended warranty that some of the other models have?

 

It's not... HP said it will be $400, I guess I will have to pay it then :X

 

Unfortunately the graphics chip is soldered on the motherboard, it cannot be replaced.

I had similar kind if breakdown on my own dv9000 few months back, HP took it for out-of-warranty repair without any costs. Originar warranty has been out almost a year now. Right after that repair, my display hinge broke and now that laptop is again in service...

Get the service manual from HP website and check the model number of your motherboard. You can search ebay for that model# to find a replacement.

Other possible solutions is finding a used laptop of similar configuration and use it for spare parts. Getting a one with broken LCD screen could be cheaper than buying just a replacement motherboard. And you could sell rest of the parts away later.

(I'm going to sell my dv9014 away as soon as it returns from service, I'm afraid it explodes next...)

 

How'd you get the replacement without cost out of warranty?? Yeah the laptop is cool but it seems a little unstable lol

 

From your spec's you could easily get this much just for the main bits and pieces of your laptop on EBay and if you put that with the $400 they want for repair yours, you could buy a DV5. These estimates are on the down side,think of it as a $400 upgrade?
Battery $25
power adaptor $15
LCD $70
HDD's $110
Ram $30
CPU $100
Heatsink/fan assembly $20
WLAN $8
Keyboard $18

 

The magic is where I live. Consumer laws are different here... Here the manufacturer is responsible for design defects such as dv9000 -series overheating and problems it creates. They just cannot leave computer owners without service after original warranty period is over. Too bad that doesn't apply to you.

Original HP repair took only 2 weeks but while doing it the repair shop broke my laptop in several other ways... That repair has taken 5 weeks now and I made rather not-so-friendly phonecall to the repair shop yesterday, today the manager called and said my laptop is fixed and it will be sent to me asap.

I know this later mess wasn't HP's fault but I'm seriously considering other brands as my next laptop. If Fujitsu-Siemens only made laptops that looked good...