Did Zepto use the defective NVIDIA 8600M chips?

Hello everyone!

Two days ago when I booted my Znote 6224W it stayed black instead of turning the screen on. My first thought was that the monitor was dead, so I tried with an external monitor (didn't work) and also checked if the backlight was off (I know how that looks and it was not the case).

Since I use a GNU/Linux distro I had no problem to "blindly" navigate my way to some of the logfiles, and copied those to a USB-stick. Xorg.0.log shows (EE) No devices detected and lspci doesn't list any VGA-entries. I compared it to earlier lspci-output and also another 6224W, and those got a line with my NVIDIA graphics device.

I started searching for this issue and found several threads about defective NVIDIA GPUs, mainly the 8400M a 8600M series. It appears to be a construction error and if the affected GPUs are exposed to high temperatures for a long time it seems they will most likely die. This seems to be the case here.

I've been gaming a lot and logging the temperatures, and most of the time both the CPU and GPU temperatures was above 90'C with GPU temperature peaks higher than 100'C. So one could say my GPU is in the risk zone described above.

I called Zepto when I first realized that the temperatures was this high (this was about a year ago, if not more) and asked if this could cause any problems. They said something like it was no problem and only if the temperatures often rise above 105'C-110'C I should start worry. Apparently, this was a misconception.

However - the problem still exists: my GPU is still dead, which renders my computer pretty much useless as it is right now. So, here comes my question:

Some threads and articles claims that all 8600M-chips are defective, but I haven't found any reliable sources for now - so this is still "only" a rumour. I've seen that HP extended their warranty to cover this problem for many of their models - has Zepto taken any similar action to solve this problem? How can I tell if my GPU was from the defective 8600M-series? Also, how do I tell if it really was this defect that caused the death of my GPU?

If it turns out that my GPU actually was defective from the factory, I guess it should be considered a construction error and Zepto should just fix my computer and send the bill to NVIDIA, right?

 

All those nVidia 8600M GPUs are potentially defective although Zepto has yet to give any warranty extension such as provided by Dell. See this thread. Read The Inquirer for a full analysis, starting at Part 1.

John

 

Thanks for the links John!

I've done some more research, and it seems like at least The Inquirer claim that all chips used in 8600M are affected. I started getting a distorted and scrambled screen some month ago, and now the GPU seems to be totally dead. The problem for me right now seems to be that my warranty expired in August, but according to our laws I can still file a valid complaint - given that I can "prove" that the problem was there when the computer was shipped. But I guess this is evidence enough (I have experienced some of the problems described by both Apple and HP).

Let's just hope Zepto is obliging and helpful, otherwise this could take some time, and cost them more than one costumer (I really like Zepto as it is now, but if this turns ugly - I believe that opinion will change).

 

I agree that this problem is covered by the latent defects provision in the European consumer legislation.

However, I don't recall others with the same problem as having tried to follow this route. There are several other threads in this forum created by people whose nvidia GPUs have died after the warranty has expired.

John

 

I had the same problem (along with several others) recently, and it seems Zepto is replacing these defective laptops with new models, so it might very well be that the issue is with malfunctioning 8600M's.

 

That's great to hear, largopredator, because it means Zepto take this issue seriously and also cares for their reputation. As I see it, any decent company should just fix the problem and then take the fight with nVidia, rather than with their costumers.

May I ask if your warranty had expired at the time?

 

I got my computer back. They did change the motherboard, but gave no reason to why. I did not have to pay anything, except for the shipping to Denmark.

However, every time I try to boot my computer after it has been off for a long time I get a weird problem: when my X server is about to start, I instead get lots of rectangles flickering on the screen. I reboot, and the problem is gone.

This happens every time the computer has been off for a while. But once it actually didn't happen, and that day my computer has been in a car, in the sun, for a couple of hours, so it was a bit warmer than usual. This led me to the thought: is the problem related to low temperature?

I haven't reinstalled my OS, so I'm not sure if that helps. Upgrading the kernel and my video drivers didn't help..

 

hmmm... i've waited 4 months on a reply from zepto on this issue...and nothing happend ; it's time now to follow up with the OFT in Uk.

If anyone has experiece with getting a refund or exchange please share.

thanks. adr

 

Well my notebook a 6324W died yesterday with the GPU issue of artifacts.
Zepto are looking for around £500 to replace the motherboard for it and the GPU

I can buy a brand new laptop with a better spec for not much more than that so may aswell dump this Zepto after removing the HD

 

Hello. My 6625WD that I bought around 2,5 Years ago has simply been a horrible experience in the sense that I have had a problem with the graphics for all this time. Crashes mostly... and I am sure its overheating due to temps going high very easily.

When I bought the Laptop with the top configuration at the time(around 2,500 dollars) I expected it to perform well for years.

When I bought it I had no idea that there was these problems with the 8600m and honestly... I feel bummed about it.


Do you think there is any likelyhood that I can get my laptop replaced with a model that is not affected by a hardware flaw like this? It doesn't even have to be a recent model.. I just want something comparable that does not house those buggy-god-awful 8400 or 8600m.

I dont mind Zepto. I see this is not their flaw, but I saved for this machine for over a year to get it, thinking it was a long term investment, but now...

I just can't deal with it anymore. It sucks using a product that is not working. not being able to enjoy games. I get crashes for different things all the time now.

 

It's unfortunate that so many ppl have to suffer from this fault with Nvidia's low-grade packaging...

Try to negotiate with Zepto about the issue. The good thing is that they're probably fully aware of the problem now. After all, they're responsible to the end customer about the product they sell. This i'd like to say to all of you suffering from this issue; do not pay for the repairs if your machine is newer than 3 years, except for shipping. It means you give up your rights as a customer.

 

I feel sorry for Zepto because they are unlikely to be able to pass the total cost of fixing computers with defective nvidia GPUs on to nVidia.

However under consumer law, they are liable for fixing products with latent defects, whether or not the product is still in warranty. There are several other threads in this forum discussing people's efforts to get their notebooks fixed.

John

 

@Thorne - i have to see yet how, Zepto is aware of the GPU problem(They probably are, but shamelessly denying it). Because I’ve spoken with Brian Larsen from Info care, and he admitated that the 6625 has problems in general with the GPU

I have sent my laptop in 3 times, with shuttering problems , and I've been told that the GPu works fine, because it did 3000+ point in 3DMark, which by the way does not tackle the issue, because my shuttering kicks in after 10 min. And Jonathan Sørensen claims that if I can play Solitaire than the GPU is working perfectly(no comment on this)

 

You have to understand that it is not their problem.. I had an Asus G1S with a 8600M too (god damn that card to hell) and i had stuttering too.. Sure maybe it did not start stuttering that fast but thats probably just because you cooling is worse.

Anyhow, do you realize how many of Zeptos computers that might have a 8600M and the same problem as you? They cant just hand everyone a completely new and different card.

Buy a new laptop.l

 

Actually, it's exactly their problem. They have bought the parts (GPU's) from Nvidia (or it was already soldered into the MB) either way, the seller / manufacturer is responsible of their products. They can try to explain it all they want, it won't change anything. Unfortunately, those responsible for such faults won't admit it so easy. It's going to cost them money, probably lots of it with no guarantee they'll get much back from Nvidia.

One can of course fight for his / her rights in cases like this or just get a new one. These are very complicated matters, i know from experience. It's mainly a matter of how the seller wishes to treat their customers.

 

Faulty GPUs reportedly cost NVIDIA another $119 million

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1496581/shipping-dodgy-chips-cost-nvidia-usd119-million

 

How do I resolve the issue? Can I get Zepto to replace the defective chip or just buy another laptop (not one from Zepto ofc)?

 

I simply spoke to the support and explained my problem (and why it was a manufacturing error, and not a typical "you need warranty"-problem). They then agreed to replace my motherboard/gpu at no cost (except I payed the shipment to Denmark).

So, you (hopefully) will get the same offer if you are a bit persistent.


And it's not a Zepto-related issue, it's in fact nvidia that screwed it this time. Zepto could possibly not know that the entire 8600M-series of cards were defective. For me the support from Zepto regarding my problems have been really good! (Even if reading some threads on this forums makes me wonder if I was just very lucky? )

 

You were probably very lucky. My 6214 with the 7600 chip died exactly after one and half year of usage. It was out of warranty by then. After a lot of discussion Zepto offered me to have a look at the carcass but I would have to pay 100 euro for that plus transport. In the end I never bothered to send the machine to Denmark, risking a bill for up to £500 (as they estimated) for replacement of a faulty graphics card and motherboard that soon would commit suicide again. What really put me off was that before all that, Zepto had initially shipped a computer I had not ordered (wrong screen) causing a delay of three months before I could use it, with its sad end a year and a half later. Needless to say, after this experience with Zepto's customer care I went somewhere else for a notebook (with ATI graphics; although their support for linux is not optimal).
The only good thing about Zepto is (or was?): you can get your computer without one of those windoze viruses installed

 

Hmmm...I bought a machine from Zepto that I also bought a 2 year warranty for. The said machine started playing up before the warranty expired. The laptop was sent to Infocare within warranty, was returned with a newly-installed hard disk (which was never the problem).

Zepto and Infocare now refuse to answer any e mails I send.

Luckily, I have someone who is going through a similar issue with their customer 'care' on another post and they have given me a couple of contacts. This helps with the frustration of nobody responding - doesn't help I just had to buy a new laptop but, hey, I will get someone from Zepto or Infocare to answer my query eventually - I don't mind being a pain if it helps people in the future.

I just hope the Asus works ok

 

My znote 6224w GPU has died again today! That's the 3rd GPU I've had that's died on this znote...on to number 4! On average it breaks every other month.

It's really not great and I'm regretting buying the laptop now in the 1st place. That it always takes over a month to repair as well is a real pain. I've spend most of this year without a laptop

 

The ASUS I bought is working flawlessly - a well put together machine and a bargain for £499. The Zepto is on its way back to Denmark. I am hoping they can't fix it and give me a replacement that will be going straight on EBay at a bargain price.

 

so I have a dodgy gpu as well and I'm out of warranty by two week. anyone had any results with getting these fixed as a latent defect? who do I have to ask nicely at zepto or shout at or plead with.

8600m gpu sucks......