DV9500 and Nvidia 8600M GS

First let me say this: A ~$1700 notebook should not fail twice in little more than one year.

Hello. A little more than a year ago, in June 2007, I purchased an HP DV9500. In April 2008 the Nvidia 8600M inside it failed and HP replaced it under warranty.

Now, in September 2008, my 2nd Nvidia 8600M GS has failed. Symptoms include artifacts, texture corruption in 3D apps, and a complete and total system lock up which can only be fixed via a hard reboot. Artifacts persist unless I leave the laptop off for an around 20 minutes, at which point I can boot it into safe mode without fear of locking up. I have already reinstalled Direct X and installed the latest drivers for the video card. I spoke with (edit: woops, HP, not Nvidia) and they want me to pay $400 for a new motherboard and 8600M GS. I've seen on multiple sites* that there is a major problem with the 8600M GS failure rate.

Dell has instituted a plan to provide an extended warranty to effected users ( http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/18/dell-offers-1-year-limited-warranty-enhancement-for-nvidia-gpu-i/)

Is there any word of HP doing something similar? I attempted to bring the issue up with the technician I spoke with but she ignored it. I spoke with her for around an hour and got nowhere. Any advice any of you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

I saw at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01087277&lc=en&cc=us that HP is offering replacement parts for a number of notebooks, but the 9500 is not listed, even though I have the same problem...


http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_852573C4006938808825747A007A1944.html?ref=technology
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/31/figuring-out-which-nvidia-gpus-are-defective-its-a-lot/
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/10/all-nvidia-8400m-8600m-chips-faulty/
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080716-nvidia-denies-rumors-of-mass-gpu-failures.html
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/31/hp-pays-half-nvidia-problems
http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208802249
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

 

33 views and not a single thought? If I sound like I'm being unreasonable please let me know.

 

I brought my dv9500t on Aug 10-11, 2007. I place the order by phone cause the CS agent was pushy plus he told me about the APP so I save 100 dollars on a 1650 dollar configuration online (1502 dollars paid). I had them expedite my order cause I was leaving for college in 2 weeks (Aug 25, the same day it was expected to arrive from the online order). Needless to say it came on Aug 20 (I was telling the agent repeatedly that it must come by Thursday Aug 23 and he said okay, it will, I'll expedite the order, repeatedly) So anyway my warranty just ran out and I have no problem with my laptop. Plus I worked the gpu pretty hard with my games. So far no failures. Though the blade has a lot of dust (the sticky kind that air can wont be able to blow lose.) So if anyone has a guide to unscrew the back cover please PM it to me.

The issue for the dells doesnt state what GPU was installed on it mainly.

 

On another note, I'm able to use the laptop in 2d mode fine for short periods of time. After a while the video response becomes sluggish and artifacts appear so I have to turn it off for a bit.

@Netkiller: There's a service manual floating around somewhere. Be ready for quite the ride though - there's no easy way to the fan assembly. You'll have to strip the laptop.

As I scroll down the screen right now my video is acting as if I don't have drivers installed, but it's refreshing the window at a much slower rate. I was watching a movie when artifacts started popping up on the screen = \

If I try to load a 3d app the computer right out bluescreens or locks up.

edit: The Dells are equipped with 8400Ms or 8600Ms.

 

I am sorry you have these problems but I don't see much that can be done now since your warranty is over.

This is a good lesson to buy extended warranty. I guess this is the luxary you have to pay for enjoying the price you paid for it (not purchased the warranty).

Notebooks are complex machines that will fail sooner or later. The manufacturer is obligated to repair the failures within the first year and they have done so according to you.

I don't think you can demand much from the manufacturer anymore. It's like going to a restaurant, eating a meal, and then saying I didn't like it, I want something back from you.

Have you tried to extend the warranty? Try to look for parted out laptops on e-bay or through your local computer repair services.

For 500 you might as well buy a new laptop or put it towards one, and make sure to buy a good warranty this time.

Again, sorry to hear about your problems.

 

omg im having the same problem as the OP!!! i thought i was the only one in the world!

i have the dv9500t with 8400M GS. same EXACT problems that the OP stated. i am currently awaiting my box to send in my laptop. im reallllly nervous about this repair. they had me pay $290 ($322.22 with tax) for the repair. i did buy extended warranty, but the time period ended.

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OP, cant you get a replacement now? i was told that the laptop gets a 1yr extended warranty after repair... not sure what the terms are.

 

@Mujjuman: I spoke with an HP rep online at length and she made no mention of an extended warranty after repair. I'm probably going to hang on to the laptop in the event I can get a DV95000 motherboard cheaply somewhere along the way.

@Mikhail: I'm miffed primarily because of the astounding failure rate among the GPU type inside my laptop. If it was just me.... whatever... I'd write it off as a loss, but it's not just me. These GPUs are killing themselves like lemmings. edit: HP is offering an extended warranty on many DV9xxx products. Just about every product but the 9500 is listed there, even though they share the same principal parts, and have the same video problems.

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Now its bluescreening shortly after the windows loading screen. I can still get into safemode for the time being... looks like its time to finishing backing everything up. Oh, and here's a fun video I found that demonstrates 3 more people with this same failure:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbnDsl7aWFU
edit: Hey, this error looks familiar... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzSI4plyq28&NR=1 ... it's almost like it's widespread.

 

if thats true, then ill be very very angry.

 

Actually, if you are just over the warranty period, frequently when you contact HP they will allow you to extend your warranty prior to sending the computer in for repair; I suggest you try that approach.

I got my dv9700 as a result of a different HP snafu with the zd7000 and nVidia GeForce FX5700 GPU and was most unhappy to hear there may be widespread issues with the 8400/8600 series.

 

Lol wow, this just happened to me last night... AGAIN, second time (saddest thing of all i was playing spore while it happened ) THIS SUMMER. There was a thread a while back of people that purchased the hp dv9543cl at costco and pretty much all of them failed at the same time, i did not expect them to merely replace a already known faulty board with another. I really don't know what to do as i am heading back to school in 11 days, hopefully the repair process will take as short of a time as last. Im just soooooo turned off from hp, even laptops in general, from this experience. Sadly i was more calm this time around, the first complete failure i had i almost smashed it with a bat over pure principle...

 

Just got done *****ing at hp, I dont think they understand that sending in a laptop more than once is bad for both of us, as it most likely costs more than the laptop to replace the parts, and if this happens 2 more times this year they will be in the negative for the sale. The hardware technician said that this would not happen on the new board i would receive, but my faith is not very strong... Might have to beg my father for the desktop i built myself and gave to him in exchange for purchasing the laptop, worst decision i ever made

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by netkiller
(the sticky kind that air can wont be able to blow lose.)
-------------------------------------------------↑ [to cause the loss of]

Where exactly did you say your going to be in two weeks time?

 

Well, 13 months into owning my DV9500, it's fried. No video. External monitor doesn't work. I do have a 2-year warranty, but this is unbelievable! I thought I was purchasing a quality laptop. I took care of this machine, no scratches, I keep it cool, never on carpet or bedding, I extended the feet to give it better air. However, the fan kicks on ALOT. I did do the BIOS update a few months back. Also, I don't do any gaming.

You are correct, this model should be covered along with the models under the ,"Limited Warranty Service Enhancement". Unbelievable. I will think twice before I purchase another HP, if you don't get covered.

 

Even if you get the motherboard replaced ,only the motherboard will be getting the 1 year warranty and not the laptop itself.

 

..............and the GPU will be fried a few months later again.

 

i hope not

 

Looks like I'm getting the same problem on a dv9520TX that's just out of warranty... and HP don't want to know about it.

This will be the last HP computer, I or any company I am associated with will ever purchase.

This is a known, reported problem that other companies like Dell and Sony have acknowledged and are repairing systems with.

I have to take it down to a repair center shortly, but its going to cost more than its worth to fix.

Never again... HP.. never again Nviida.

Very very pissed off ...

Peter.

 

i feel your pain

what nvidia card do you have?

 

Okay, if I've read correctly, nVidia is giving OEM's Millions $$ to cover this problem. Is HP pocketing the $$ by refusing to cover models that have this card?

 

Yep, I have a dv9500 with the 8600m gs, failed after 13 months.

Where the hell is all of nvidia's cash going?

 

i want to know as well.

yeah my GPU failed in 13 months too! between 12.5-13.5 months
it seems as if the majority of failures are with the 8600M.... but i had the 8400M

 

Does anyone have first-hand knowledge with other OEM's and how they are handling this? Obviously, my laptop won't be alive in 13 months. I will not go back to HP or nVidia. What's the alternatives?

 

either you can pay to get your laptop fixed... or you can buy something else.
i had to dish out $300 or so to fix mine....
waaay better than spending another $1000 or so to get a whole diff laptop from a totally diff company

 

Hi everyone, old time reader, first post though.

Same problem here, deep fried 13 month old DV9500t with a 8600m GS inside. The screen gets really really weird after 2-3 minutes after log on is complete, whether I do something or not. Safe mode works, but screen has blue dots everywhere, it's like every window that opens up and the I close or minimize leaves behind a trace of blue dots.

Contacted HP through the chat thing in their support website, and the girl guided me through a BIOS flash process, Chipset driver update, and finally, graphics card uptdate (should I call it outdate, since they offer the 'latest' Nvidia drivers from 1996....)

All that with no results, so she said I could send it back for repairs, looking at a 700 dollar bill for me, or take it to Radio Shack here in NYC to see what they say.

Should I wait to fix it, do you guys feel that HP will include the 9500 series in the extended guaratee plan? I mean, should be, right! Nvidia already said all the 8400/8600 are fried, isn't it?

I just don't know what to do...............

I share the pain with all the 9500 owners. What a piece of $4lT!

 

i agree with you, hp should include this laptop in extended warranty but they dont.
$700 is a bit much.... try calling them and see what they say.
they charged me around $300-$400 for 9500t and 8400M GS.... (i forgot the price)

 

I am on about the 13th month of ownership of my dv9575ep,till now no problems,are there any "number" or something we can check to feel more free of this problem or not?
I even opened my laptop,changed the thermal paste (both on cpu and gpu),but broke something that stopped my usb and they fixed it (after some "talk") lol..

 

im approaching the end of my warranty in Febuary.

I hope mine does not fail. - Ive never gone over 90C while gaming

Everything dies right after warranty expires...

 

You guys are probably very unlucky with your DV9500's... These machines are very reliable and I consider them as one of the best came off HP. I still remember my 9500, many of my friends have same machines and they are very happy having them for well more than a year.

 

I think they are the best thing from HP. The GPu problem lies with nVidia though. Im very happy with my dv9700 though.

Just hoping everything will stay ok.

 

they fail after about 1 year. right after the warranty expires

 

Yep, i agree with you there.

 

official word from HP (I called last night):

Since my DV9500 actually boots and AFTER login into vista the problem pops up, it is a video card problem, not a motherboard one. They are effectively extending warranties for all those models listed in that official thread (the link is in the first post of this thread), from the DV2000 all the way to the DV9400 (lucky us, ah?) because of the aforementioned motherboard issue, NOT the video cards.

The guy gave me a complete quote for the repair, a total of $431.33 including shipping both ways from and to NYC.

I do have to say I like the people in their help desk. He understood really quickly that I knew what I was talking about. I just don't know what to do next, should I fix it, or wait until HP acknowledges Nvidias are faulty as Sony and Dell did.

 

They understood quickly because they see so much of this problem. Shame, any repair is being completed with the same faulty model.
Also, do you have an AMD chip? They are covering mobo's with AMD chips. I suppose because not many people that them and now they can have a press release saying they are 'covering' this problem.
Look on nVidia's forum, for overheating. And look here, this is HP's!!! forum: http://forums11.itrc.hp.com/service...47626+1226420272733+28353475&threadId=1274587

 

It's a DV9500t, with Intel Duals 2.20 GHZ.... Its seems to be your same config, except for 2 Gigs of ram and dual 120 HDs (5400 of slo motion though)
I will sing up for the HP forums and post.... One more un-F*&*ING-happy costumer added to the list...

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

My dv9500t has failed, yep exactly right after the one year mark. I sent it in to replace the backlight. got it back and about a week later it went blank again. tried to connect an external monitor and that was messed up too so it appears be a more serious problem. Service told me to call a case manager the next day and they might give me a new computer. I do have the extended warranty by the way. I'll let you know how this turns out.

update: will not replace wants me to send it in again and says he's not familiar with this widespread problem and if it fails again when i get it back(within a reasonable amount of time) he will replace it

 

I have been having all the same issues on my dv9580us with the 8600m GS card, and of course my warranty ended in Aug. I spent about an hour with HP support via chat. Their first recommendation was to take the notebook to a service center for repair, which of would have been an out-of-pocket expense. I then referred the person I was chatting with to their own and nvidia's support pages regarding the issues with 8400 and 8600 cards. After a few minutes of "Let me look into that issue" I got a response saying he was going to foward my issue to the appropriate department and will be contacted within 24-48 hours.

Well, yesterday evening I received an e-mail from HP support saying they have shipped out a return box via FedEx, that my dv9580us will be covered under a warranty, and will not cost me a thing to repair.

So, for those needing to get their HP's fixed, just refer the tech to HP's own support page and that should get the ball rolling.

Good Luck!

 

WOW. You are very lucky.
I have a dv9500t and it was not covered under warranty

Oh btw, can you please post links to those pages? please

 

You were indeed very lucky. My DV9500t is in HP's hand right now for repairs, for a price. I unloaded 430 dollars for the repair, and also mentioned the fact that one could easly see faulty reports on this specific model, both laptop and video card, with no results. Please post the links that helped you get yours covered.

 

Its also much easier to use the chat program in support to give them the links

 

Hmmm, i guess my 8600M will fail every moment now, 12 months. My dv9500 has been in raipers three times now(defective cooling, unable to reinstall from HP recovery twice). And i guess it will go back soon... Yesterday i tried to turn on the blody thing 10 times !!!! Press power lights on screen and buttons work, fan is on too, screen is just blank and i can turn it of only by holdong power button. And today 4 BSOD in a row
This laptop is making me sad, it costed almost 2 grand when i bought it, thanks God i hade intuiton to by 3year waranty. Don't thin it will ever work so long. Left hinge is starting to sound strange left palm rest is having cracking noise. It's full of problems

Thats really a shame .I like very much how thin it is for 17'' laptop display is good no dead pixels. But i think I'll never buy anything from HP again.

 

Yeah man i understand how it is... you spend close to $2,000 on something like this and this is what you get.

I accept the fact that these thing happen, I just wish hp covered it under warranty.

I want those links mentioned above!!!

 

It is really a shame.
For the part of defective cooling,what do you want to say with that?
I realized thatthe dv9500 was mainly too hot because of the "thermal paste" after I put artic ceramique it is almost noiseless..with undervolt and even gaiming it's rare to be hot like it was when it came new..and with the gpu overclocked.
It is really a shame..3times is a lot,can't you ask for a new laptop?

Those numbers make my laptop have warranty lol.Last time I opened the laptop one usb stopped working and the lcd won't turn off when you close the lid.
As it were "simple" things I told hp "what?you are telling me that you refuse to make a 1500eur laptop client "happy" just because you don't want to waste 15minutes repairing the laptop?" in the next day I had ups on my door..
Do we still can buy 1 more year warranty?

 

Before heatsink replacment playing teamfortress 2 gpu went over 90C and cpu close to 80C. After repair it went down a bit.
Have you guy's tried 3DMARK06 with ''latest nvidia drivers from hp'' ? Results where shock to me, it got around 1200 points Nice performance for that money... only later i discovered 169.04 drivers. With overclocking score now is something 3100 and undervolting helps keeping GPU under 80C and CPU60 and now it runs silent. Oh, i remember the original drivers ...

But from all this i have learned that i need more hi-end or gaming laptop, one who wont fall apart if you stress it more then just movies,internet and flash games. So my advice to HP, if your laptops would work half as good as they look i would really buy another one

 

After a month or so of the dreaded $400+out of warranty repair, it failed again. Same issue. This Nvidia cards are worthless. HP is worthless. And now I´m stuck again without my laptop. I´m reading a lot of anger everywhere, many guys going the lawsuit route.... HP is going to have to pay in the end.

 

I have a HP Pavilion dv9700 which also comes with a NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GS. It was like 1300 euros which is 1822 dollars.
I already have it for six months. Usually I leave my laptop on 24/7 unless HDD temperature gets too high. I haven't experienced problems with this yet. Maybe it has to do with the computer and not the card.

 

wth it failed after repair??

 

Ugh! I hated reading through this thread. I have spent the last 24 hours trying to see if there was a combination of drivers and Vista updates that had to be installed. I could get it to work for a little while and then it would just deteriorate into a mess of pixels.

I have had my dv9500t for about 16 months. It had been running terrific until the latest Nvidia driver update. I thought it was just a bad driver. I am able to install the Standard VGA and run everything, but have the artifacts throughout the display.

I have 2 zd7000's that were supposed to be repaired for free due to a class action lawsuit. I'm sure someone will start one up for this issue. But what to do in the mean time.

I have seen and worked with a variety of laptops, I still think that HP has better laptops, but then again, I think I need to go look at Apple.

I may have to order 2 laptops so as to have one as a backup while the other is in the shop.

 

Well...as with many others who posted here...my dv9500 (with 8600m gs) died one year and 3 weeks after i bought it...about a week after the warranty expired.

The display adapter was stopped by windows for a Code 43 error if I remember correctly. When I rebooted, it was stuck in VGA resolution and 4-bit colors. Eventually, I reinstalled Windows, and then it worked perfectly...

...for about 2 hours. Then it was back to 4-bit VGA. New VIsta, new drivers...same problem every time.

Now it takes at least 5 attempts to boot into windows without getting stuck at the "loading" screen. The weird part is that every now and then I get 32-bit colors and can even increase the resolution.

A friend of mine had the same problem with a Dell, but he just replaced the graphics chip. Is this a option with HP or does the whole motherboard need to be changed?

 

Not sure, with hp, the graphics chip is soldered onto the board or something..... so they have to replace the whole board.

 

Just to add my experience with this laptop - GPU fried about 15 months into ownership. Had to replace mobo (under an extended warranty, took a while but that's another story) - had it back out the shop 1 week and the GPU is fried on the new MOBO already, and I didn't even push it very hard (a little gaming and TV playback is all).

I don't point the finger too hard at HP as we use their laptops at work and they are solid - bad cooling design is clearly an issue with this model, fatal when combined with this flaky GPU chipset. Annoying as hell. Will be pushing for a new machine and not be getting anything with the 8600M chipset in it.

Annoying for a premium piece of kit.