Screen on D901C Went Out!

So I have been gaming pretty hard with my D901c for the past few years Anyway I started getting some square/rectangular artifacts in lines on screen at random times. After using my computer a little bit I got several total failures of my graphics drivers where the screen went black and then went back to normal along with a little popup message in the lower right corner telling me what happened. First time was during a virus scan (got alot during the first part of the scan, but then it stopped) and I was also having a little bit of trouble with my antivirus at the time so I thought it was a virus.

So I reformatted using my recovery disc and started to reinstall my programs, as soon as I inserted the RW CD I got more artifacts. I tried reformatting a couple more times but kept getting the artifacts, once when I opened IE. Thinking the virus was still on my HD, I did a DBAN (Darik's Boot and Nuke) and reinstalled Vista again. Then I was in the process of restarting after installing my sound drivers and I got a whole bunch of artifacts right when I clicked restart, the computer crashed, and after I forced restart the screen doesnt work. When it first starts up it does light up a bit, from completely off and dark to I guess a backlit pitch black.

So I am thinking that it was not a virus and actually was my graphics card giving out. Is this what this seems like? Also, if it is, does anyone have the link to that guy's website that still sells the nvidia 260's to go in a D901c. Or am I wrong and is this something else? Thanks!

 

I think you are correct, from what you've described it looks as though the GPU is failing.

I don't have the link for the 260s, but I do have the disassembly guide for your laptop if you need it: D900C_ESM.zip (props to theriko as usual)

 

I had the link on my computer but everthing got erased. He sells the cards for around $700 and had a complete guide as to how to flash the bios and install the card....Would kill for that link now.

 

Got a couple hits on eBay: gtx 260m | eBay

You'll want to check and see which MXM slot you have. I believe Sager used 2.1 on this one, correct me if I'm wrong.

 

is rjtech.com a reputable site? they have a card http://rjtech.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29860, does that include everything I would need to install?

Also, I need a link to the proper BIOS files to flash to.

 

OK I found the site....how do I check which type of slot I have?

 

What video card(s) do you have?

The artifacts are clearly a symptom of a gpu problem. Did you reposition the card, you may hope it is just the connection. Probably not, but then you might consider baking the card.

 

9800m gtx no sli....how should i try repositioning the card? just take the fan off and wiggle it around a bit?

 

Yep, you can just try pulling the card from its socket and reinserting it, although you'd have to remove the heatsink and repaste (which is never a bad idea if you haven't repasted before). No guarantee it'll work though...

Also look up the difference between MXM 3.0 and 2.1, there are some pictures out there that'll show the difference.

 

Yea I took it out and put it back in still black screen...definitely fried. Also it is a 2.1. I will probably get the 280 from Clevo D901c since he offers a warranty. Glad I at least know whats wrong now I was worried a virus had totally messed up my system.

He says to get drivers from Drivers | drivers for mobile cards and laptops | laptopvideo2go.com but which ones would I download? I don't really see any distinction beyond OS, 32 or 64 bit and latest release. I have vista and 64bit so I would just download the latest date I can find? Is it some kind of bundle that has a lot of drivers and auto finds the right one when I go to install?

 

Also, when I took the card out the only way it went back in was at a slight angle, so that if I didnt push down on the card it lifted up diagonally a bit...thats normal right?

 

Yup, that's normal, most card-slot hardware behaves like that, such as the RAM and the wireless card

Sounds like a good plan purchasing from that company, especially for the warranty. However, you might want to ask the guy selling you the card if he can point you in the right direction on that website, I bet he'll probably know

Also some NBR buffs should be able to help out too

 

You'd better check the marketplace first.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/com...t-8800m-gtx-rebranded-mxm-2-1-type-iv-he.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/com...agate-momentus-xt-msi-gt735-gpu-heatsink.html

 

Here could be a (temporary solution): http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/475415-baked-my-fried-area-51-m17x-9800m-gt.html

 

Wow so I could bake my card in the over and it might get it working again? Around what temps and how long should I try it? Thats interesting I may give it a go!

 

Look up reflow/BGA reball.

If I was you I'd just replace the GPU chip (if it's not soldered to the mobo) but if you're on a tight budget consider the above repair methods.

Good luck!

 

It's not a long term solution though. Most people manage to extend the life a little bit, but it's really only good to get you back up and running while you look for a replacement.