HP tx1309au -- screen just went blank

I bought a tx1309au a little over a year ago; a couple of days ago I just noticed that it started to overheat alot. Then on Monday, when I turned it on, the screen was just black. It stayed that way for a whole 30mins and I had to turn it off. A few hours later I tried to use it again but still the same. My friend has a similar laptop and he theorizes that it must be the nvidia component at fault. Problem is, my warranty has just expired. Does anyone know how accurate his assessment is? And more importantly, how much it costs to have the nvidia replaced? Thank you.

 

If the NVIDIA chip is at fault, you can confirm it very easily. Find or borrow an external LCD monitor and connect it to your laptop (some laptops might not output a signal automatically, so find the LCD/External Screen button) Is there a picture?

Yes:
That means your LCD or some part of your LCD (cable, inverter, backlight, the LCD itself or a combination).

No:
That confirms that the NVIDIA chip is bad.


If you cannot get a picture, and because your warranty is out, HP is going to probably either refuse to service it or charge an exorbitant price to get it repaired (probably costing more than if you just bought a new laptop now). Remember that the Nvidia chip on your board is soldered on, so you can't just open your notebook and replace it; HP will need to replace the motherboard and charge for labor so it is going to be an expensive prospect to get it fixed since you are out of warranty.

 

Most AMD NVIDIA notebooks are covered by an enhanced warranty program:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01087277&lc=en&cc=us
But for some inexplicable reason the tx1000 series with the exact same defective NVIDIA chip isn't listed. You can try calling HP and escalating to a case manager when the script reading drone is unable to help. Maybe you'll get lucky, but don't bet on it.

 

Thanks for your answers. I took my laptop to the store I bought it from and their diagnosis confirmed what I hated from the start, it's the nvidia chip.. Anyone know how much it will cost me to have it replaced without having to pass by the HP service center? The estimates they gave me are just mind bogglingly murderous.

 

Don't know. You could try the reflow the NVIDIA chip trick, if you're feeling really adventurous. Search this forum for instructions.

 

This video may help you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=musu759LsT4

I prefer copper instead of a penny.

This video would be much better in term of reflow process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR8L3B3eDr0

Please take extra caution! You may break the motherboard permanently!

 

... you have to love Nvidia for building spectacular GPUs and HP for covering 2% of the inflicted laptops.

Call up customer service, make it clear to them you're not getting off the line till you speak with a case manager, and then when you get a hold of them, explain to them that they are some conniving F'ers for covering only some of the laptops that include identical GPUs! Explain to them that the GPU doesn't care if the laptop has a 160gb HD or a 250gb HD, it will die regardless! Hit them with information about the Nvidia admitting it's chips are defective, how they give billions to Dell/HP and other various vendors, and that you want to see a part of that settlement go to them fixing your MF laptop. Also, let them know that if you knew that the bloody laptop's GPU was going to die, you wouldn't have purchased it. Let them know that they should advertise with their laptops that their GPUs will die.

Basically, plow through the service representatives until you get a hold of a case manager. This will take a while as they are basically trained to give you the ring-around, so make it a personal crusade of yours to get a hold of a case manager as they are the only ones who can do anything. DESTROY the F'n service F representatives. When you get a hold of a case manager, explain to them politely and see what happens. If they don't want to act like decent human beings, destroy them and let them know you're not going to get off the phone till they fix your laptop free of charge. Also, make sure to get their full name, their employee number, their BOD, their SS if they will give it, and then tell them that there are numerous pending lawsuits out there and that their name is going to be on one of them as well as be twittered, blogged, and youtubeD all over the internet explaining how you bought a laptop with a DEFECTIVE CHIP THAT NVIDIA ADMITTED WAS DEFECTIVE AND THAT THESE MOFOS WON'T FIX IT EVEN THOUGH NVIDIA GAVE THEM HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS TO COVER THEIR COSTS.

Basically, you need to look at HP right now as a pinata. Get yourself an aluminum bat and prepare to keep smashing those F'ers until candy comes out. What that basically equates to is a phone call with a few cups of coffee or Red Bull and the understanding that you will NOT take no for an answer until they fix your laptop.

Good luck!