BenQ S41 VGA Error

Hi All,
I used S41 for 2 years, and i'm very happy with the performance, specially its VGA, GeForce 8600M GS., Almost all 09'ers games compatible and can be played with customized render options, but at least it works.

Last month, my S41 suddently restarted by it self when a 3d game played, and immediately I touched the bottom side of the laptop and it look like the temperature pretty high...

I installed a freeware to check the temperatures and used a cooler underneath, and it helpful for some times.

but, 7 days ago, i cant enter the system, my S41 automatically restarted when the system enter the logon screen, then block patterned shapes (white and black) appears on the screen. i tried to enter safe mode, and reinstall the new driver, rollback, etc and its still not work.

Now, i use the Standard VGA in Device Manager, in order i can use this laptop for works and save the data, but the screen/VGA render too slow for just a typing software.

I tried to use another HDD, previously installed with XP on the same laptop, and it same, it doesnt work now.

So, anyone using S41 and has experience with S41 VGA problem? how to resolve this problem please?

Regards,

(donot suggest me to bring this unit to a service center )

 

akauts, most probably your nvidia 8600 gs has failed. I experienced this as well but much worse. I couldn't boot at all and all I got was blank screen. Luckily the warranty still covered the vga, but it made uneasy that it might fail again after the replacement.

I really couldn't give any other advise but to send it to the authorized service center since it's most probably defective gpu. nvidia has been sued because it seems all 84xx and 86xx are defective.

incase it's not your vga fault, I recommend you to transfer backup all the data and install a fresh win xp because it sounds like a corrupted driver.

 

Anandhi, thanks for your reply and share the same experience you got, i read you post and apparently your S41 totally died? how come the failed of our joybook in the same date and in the same town? :smile

by the way, i bought S41 in May 2008, and in the same time, my subordinate bought the same type also, and he failed his S41 3 months ago, the symptom were exactly similar with your case, blank screen, wont boot. then he brought his S41 to BenQ Service Center and he paid for 300$ US...

Im not a geek, but i tried several ways to investigate my S41 problem until now. I tried Ubuntu, Fedora and BartPE, all of those OS showing my GPU is still working, but when i force my S41 to use 8600, rollback to several versions of GPU drivers even to install the latest it still can't enter the windows, just the until the system went to entering the logon screen, the blinking and restarted.

By the way, I'm still lucky, like you said. I'm typing this post from my S41 and use standard VGA as the Display Driver, and thanks for you sharing regarding 8600 defects which acknowledged also by NVIDIA....

My next question, did you purchased the MSI with gaming GPU? would you share your experience with it, especially when playing 3D game like Transformers, or COD.

regards,

 

Hi Akauts, I bought my laptop at April 2008 and it was broken at december 2009. I hope you prepare for the worst or if possible, you could... just sell it!

I havent bought the MSI, I'm still looking for cheap alternatives since I dont play game as much as I used to be.

 

Thanks God.... my S41 woke up from her die......... thanks to the geeks who share the extreme way to bake the Mobo inside 385F heated Oven...... Merdeka!