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Dell XPS M1330 Problems with Graphics / Video Driver
I have a Dell XPS M1330. Recently, I had been having problems with the graphics and video driver on my computer. My screen will sometimes freeze and go to a screen that is black and has various different lines on it and then the computer will either shut down or recover.
I tried reinstalling the graphics driver, and am continuing to experience this problem.
I bought the computer last November 2007 -- so it is relatively new.
If you have any suggestions on how to fix this problem, please let me know.
I tried reinstalling the graphics driver, and am continuing to experience this problem.
I bought the computer last November 2007 -- so it is relatively new.
If you have any suggestions on how to fix this problem, please let me know.
I’m frustrated
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The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The best solution from everyone
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So, I hadn't heard from Bill (poor guy is probably really busy!), so I logged into the Dell web chat and spoke with a technical support representative. He was great and they are sending a tech out to repair my system. He had me connect my laptop to an external monitor to test if it show the diagnostic test he wanted me to run on it (which it wouldn't.. just black screen with green lines) and this confirmed that the video chip was bad and the motherboard needed replacing. The tech should be here in the next couple of days to fix my computer (yay!). Thanks for posting this thread! I can't wait to get my beloved laptop up and running again!
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?they also said if this didn't work, then they would have me send my laptop to "repair depot" for free repair.
I’m hoping that's not needed
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Inappropriate?Simon, better this than 200eur for repair right? I know they should recall this model but since they are not doing this it will do for a time being and will be a good warning for the future purchases for all of us.
I’m indifferent
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Inappropriate?I am very frustrated with Dell,
7 phone calls and 1-1/2 week later and still don't even have a box they were to send me to send my XPS 1330 to repair depot for warranty.
I don't what to do....is there any suggestions...who tocall to get some action from Dell.
All my info is on that laptop!!!
Thinking of going to a media trouble shooter at Global TV Canada....what else can I do????????????
I’m frustrated
2 Comments Add a comment
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believe it it or not, it takes longer for them to ship the box into your hands.
IMHO, the media could be your driving force to have Dell Hell once and for all address the issue of this faulty design. I'm sure you are also aware that they will be replacing your MB -if that what the issue is - with the same faulty MB. -
To save your info, take the hard drive out before sending it back to Dell. I'm on my second modification. Also, you'll get a better response by going online.
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Inappropriate?First of all: why are you all so sure that they replace with the faulty board? Our problem is only small percentage of all 1330s sold in the world!! Not all motherboards were faulty, only a given lot. There are motherboards produced in Poland as well and they are all fault free. Do not exaggerate.
Ajo: if they tell you that they have sent it - they did it. If you didn't get a response from them via phone use e-mail - it worked flawlessly for me. You can show them a link to this forum as a proof that you are right.
Good luck!5 Comments Add a comment
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They told me that the mobo I was getting was "a new revision" and "didnt have the flaw". 3 weeks later it failed with the same issue.
No, Dell are pulling a fast one. Personally, I am writing them a letter, and will follow up with a complaint to consumer protection.
I also would need evidence that only "a small percentage" were affected. Speaking to the dell contractor who came to replace my mobo, he is busy full-time with m1330 mobo replacements - he had 2 more that afternoon. If you have evidence that only a small percentage of these boards have the flaw Id love to see it. Please let me know what the difference between the "good" and "bad" boards are. -
The reason that I am sure they are replacing the boards with faulty one is that my laptop keeps failing. I have gone through 3 motherboards already. The only reason I haven't had to get the current one replaced is that I have several external fans keeping it cool and I use CPU throttling.
I'm not the only person who has needed to have the motherboard replaced multiple times. -
If it would be only small fraction and they would have some motherboard without any fault I don't think they would hesitate to replace the faulty motherboards with the new one instead of replacing refurbished motherboards again.
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Hi iv' had my 1330 for 11mounths and i'v got the on site repair warranty, anyway the engineer has been out 2 my lapy every 3mounths due to nvida card going so they have to replace the mother board, now the guy shown me his repair book 4the last 2years and i'd say 70% are all xps1330 on laptops and as he's shown me nearly all ov them are the graphics cards that go, dell should do a recall but wont y will cost the £££££££ im on me mother board v4.5 the new better replace ment ov v4, i said to the engeneer byby he said c u in 3mounths if ya lucky,,,,,now what dos that say
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Hi iv' had my 1330 for 11mounths and i'v got the on site repair warranty, anyway the engineer has been out 2 my lapy every 3mounths due to nvida card going so they have to replace the mother board, now the guy shown me his repair book 4the last 2years and i'd say 70% are all xps1330 on laptops and as he's shown me nearly all ov them are the graphics cards that go, dell should do a recall but wont y will cost the £££££££ im on me mother board v4.5 the new better replace ment ov v4, i said to the engeneer byby he said c u in 3mounths if ya lucky,,,,,now what dos that say
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Inappropriate?What about the "common sense"? This model is selling very well - do you think it would continue to be so if every piece was defective? Do you think Dell would continue to sell them and shoot its own foot ? They would be off market long time ago cause Dell cannot afford to have a whole line of laptops recalled during the economic downturn...3 Comments Add a comment
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"Common sense" is not a clear enough argument. The nature of this defect doesn't allow it to show up with every user:
1. The M1330 is available without the NVidia GPU. These models are not affected.
2. Users who do very little high-processing work may not strain the system enough to cause the problem.
3. Users who didn't buy extended warranties may not bother reporting the issue because it costs too much to buy a replacement part.
4. Users may be throttling their CPU/GPU usage. (This could be automatic, such as when running on battery, or manual.)
5. Almost every manufacturing defect is a question of how far off something is from the standard deviation. When a production run has a defect, it doesn't mean that every product will show the defect. It means that they were unable to keep the process(es) within the require standard deviation. -
If a person is little aware about net research I doubt anybody will use common sense of buying this trouble.
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there fantastic little lapys but it the graphics that keep going google it and just c how many come up with this ,nearly all ov them, if u buy a new 1 now it comes with radion graphics instead
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Inappropriate?look here: http://www.nvidia.com/object/io_12150...
and here : http://www.trustedreviews.com/laptops...
Both NVIDIA and DELL are aware of this issue and are considering whether recall or not.3 Comments Add a comment
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Neither of those links say that Nvidia or Dell are considering a recall. Nvidia has admited that there are higher than usual failures and it is costing them money.
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Jacub,
Sorry to burst your bubble~ nothing personal against you, but your comments in defense of DELL HELL is quite futile and wishful thinking.
If you read ALL the reviews of the M1330 with the NVidia chip PRIOR to the DOCUMENTED BREAKDOWN of this particular MB, you'll see virtually every review gave this particular model a glowing review. (nature of the industry as well as many other industries ~ caveat emptor - let the buyer beware - dont believe anything you read....)
If you read through this particular entire posting thoroughly and read thru the many other forums discussing this same topic and taking into consideration the number of complaints and issues/ (also taking into consideration that some of the comments posted are duplicates of the same person, AND you performed your own due diligence into what information is hearsay and what information is truth and factual, you'll see that DELL HELL has done nothing to resolve this well-known and well-documented problem. Talk to the chops that perform laptop repairs in this model and many others and see what they all have to say....you'll find that their professional comments are in line with owner comments on this issue - not good.
IF they are so well-aware of the issue, then why the delay in resolving this for their customers?? Answer: It's a numbers game. The more owners capitulate to the problem, the less $$ they have to spend dealing with the issue IF they even are forced (and that's ONLY if they are forced to concede to a settlement or lawsuit decision). The quick fix for them?? Just replace the faulty MB with the same faulty replacement MB (I've personally experienced this many times.... you would certainly know all this already since you've read through this post thoroughly....) and use time as their ally to buy more time to have this problem go away magically by itself and offer then owner a false hope that this faulty replacement will fix this fault and the extended warranty on the replacement MB will have expired before it fails again.
Did you even read the about the class-action lawsuit (in Canada) against DELL HELL on a similar problem they had with laptops???
You're right... DELL HELL cannot afford to have a whole line of laptops recalled during the economic downturn. That is why they are playing the numbers game on this particular issue....the longer they drag this out, the better it is $$$ for them. -
Jakub,
Sorry to burst your bubble~ nothing personal against you, but your comments in defense of DELL HELL is quite futile and wishful thinking.
If you read ALL the reviews of the M1330 with the NVidia chip PRIOR to the DOCUMENTED BREAKDOWN of this particular MB, you'll see virtually every review gave this particular model a glowing review. (nature of the industry as well as many other industries ~ caveat emptor - let the buyer beware - dont believe anything you read....)
If you read through this particular entire posting thoroughly and read thru the many other forums discussing this same topic and taking into consideration the number of complaints and issues/ (also taking into consideration that some of the comments posted are duplicates of the same person, AND you performed your own due diligence into what information is hearsay and what information is truth and factual, you'll see that DELL HELL has done nothing to resolve this well-known and well-documented problem. Talk to the shops that perform laptop repairs on this model and many others and see what they all have to say....you'll find that their professional comments are in line with owner comments on this issue - not good.
IF they are so well-aware of the issue, then why the delay in resolving this for their customers?? Answer: It's a numbers game. The more owners capitulate to the problem, the less $$ they have to spend dealing with the issue IF they even are forced (and that's ONLY if they are forced to concede to a settlement or lawsuit decision). The quick fix for them?? Just replace the faulty MB with the same faulty replacement MB (I've personally experienced this many times and they all tell you the same thing - "no problem with the replacement board".... you would certainly know all this already since you've read through this post thoroughly....) and use time as their ally to buy more time to have this problem go away magically by itself and offer then owner a false hope that this faulty replacement will fix this fault and the extended warranty on the replacement MB will have expired before it fails again.
Did you even read the about the class-action lawsuit (in Canada) against DELL HELL on a similar problem they had with laptops???
You're right... DELL HELL cannot afford to have a whole line of laptops recalled during the economic downturn. That is why they are playing the numbers game on this particular issue....the longer they drag this out, the better it is $$$ for them. -
Inappropriate?Before I even read your elaborate answer ;) I must say this: I'm not defending anyone and especially DELL! I think they SHOULD recall this junk and reimburse! If NVIDIA agrees that they are loosing money maybe they decide not to loose prestige? And if I have to say anything good about DELL is that they replaced mobo in 4 working days after submitting the service request.
After reading: even the guy who replaced mobo told a lot of bad things about Dell :D I will definitely stress the GPU with some 3dmark or other benchamrk and we will see what will happen. Yes I read about suit and I back it up with all my four paws :P
And please explain why are they still selling a lot of 1330s if it is taking a lot of bad reviews? If you imagine the numbers of sold machines (easily houndrets of thousands world wide) they should be paralyzed with support requested and flooded with law suits... -
Inappropriate?Simon: where are you from? I would like to write to the consumer spokesman as well.1 Comment Add a comment
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Australia. We have very clear laws surrounding the merchantability of goods.
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Inappropriate?well, so much for my "fix" i wrote about a week ago. 2 days later, same dead screen. i emailed for my box so laptop could be sent for free repair and i got back an email recanting the offer. i was informed i had to call out-of-warranty repair and pay from $199 - $538 to fix either video card or mobo! i blasted back an email refusing, blah, blah, blah, and tried writing to the dell "chief blogger":
Lionel Menchaca (direct2dell community)...
http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/di...
he never wrote me back (got out of office sick auto reply). regardless, same day, i got response to my email from the tech and they said for "one time" i could get my laptop repaired for free and they'd send the box. only because i was just 1 wk shy of the extened 1 yr warranty. (i was 2 yrs 1 wk out of warranty). i'm waiting for the box now.
guess, i'll join the rest of you replacing my mobo a few times.
I’m more than outraged!!
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Inappropriate?I wrote on here a few months ago about my XPS1330, and having to replace the GPU, I have watched the complaint list grow. I took out an extended warrenty after the fact for 2 years having read this would be a recurring problem and for simplicity the premium support is ideal! The service was speedy and efficient in the UK, a contractor from a local company came to fix it, came to my work address and turned up at the exact time I asked for - perfect! He said he'd done 3 Mobos that day on the 1330 and had one more to do. He said that was unusual, but a constant stream had come in during the last year.
I don't think that the problems with XPS are unique to DELL. I guess the rival to the XPS would be something like the Macbook. Just type in "Macbook Problems" into google and read some unhappy Mac users. I would think in this case, unlike the Apple cases, it has been the DELL support and their lack of understanding and their reluctance to recall (or at least repair for free - except in cases where people have pushed for it!) that has got people so angry.
So far I have had the new mobo board for 4 months with no problems. I'm not a high end graphics user, (watch movies, bit of photo shop, no games), so probably not pushing it too much.
One note I will make is that I went for the NVIDIA chip thinking it was not an integrated graphics card. To me that means is upgradable, without removing the mobo. My understanding has changed and it actually means that the chip doesn't share RAM with the GPU.
Let's hope Dell and NVIDIA can sort out this GPU, heat and bonding problem they have on notebooks and provided every XPS1330 user with a new mobo soon.
Cheers,
Eddie1 Comment Add a comment
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Or money back and new better laptop ;>
