NVidia GPU bug with Dell XPS M1210
[See Dead Dell XPS M1210 - Q&A for details on how to perform the diagnostic steps I mention below, and how best to deal with Dell if they prove unhelpful.]
[Also see Another XPS M1210 success story for further advice on dealing with Dell, including some case numbers to quote when requesting repair.]
Andelys' Dell XPS M1210 just bricked - initially I thought it was the result of a Windows Update (after Windows Update bricked Armin's Thinkpad). However after running through some diagnostics suggested on the Dell site the problem turns out to be a dead video card.
This gels with some of the comments Andelys had been making about unstable video on her XPS in the past few weeks.
A bit more digging turned up the fact that this is a known issue; essentially a bunch of Dell machines were shipped with dud GPUs. Fortunately Dell has acknowledged the issue, and seems to be trying to help customers who are experiencing problems.
So I sent the following email to Dell technical support ...
The video card on my Dell XPS M1210 has failed; I have verified this by using the POST test and observing the LED diagnostic codes.
Dell has extended a limited warranty on models including the XPS M1210, due to a known fault with the NVidia GPU on those models. See:
http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2008/08/18/nvidia-gpu-update-dell-to-offer-warranty-enhancement-to-all-affected-customers-worldwide.aspx?PageIndex=1
... for details.
I am hereby contacting Dell Customer Support as instructed by Lionel Menchaca, in order to request that my unit be repaired or replaced. I can be contacted by email on dhgbayne@gmail.com, or by phone on (+61) XXX XXX XXX.
Thank you for your time.
... and I'll post updates as I receive replies.
Wed, 22/04/2009: I received a call from Dell on Monday (my weekend - I work Saturday and Sunday, hence the late update). They took me through a couple of diagnostic steps (which I'd already performed myself & detailed in the email I sent) and then told me that I am eligible for a free motherboard replacement, even though the warranty on the machine has expired. The technician is due tomorrow, & I'll post an update after he's worked his magic.
All in all I'm very happy with Dell; they owned up to the problem and offered a fix even though they'd have been within their rights to refuse to do anything about it.
Thu, 23/04/2009: The Dell technician came around as promised, and replaced the motherboard free of charge. The laptop now works perfectly - no performance problems, no weird video corruption and most importantly it actually boots :-) Top marks.
Fix with no warranty yourself
I know this comment is going to sound crazy, but I really fixed my m1210 just now by doing a well known method to fix other laptops and gpus. Before reading this and thinking I am crazy, realize that the processes I used are very much like the industry standards used for laptop manufacturers.
Very briefly, I used the oven method to reflow the solder in my motherboard and reseat the processor and GPU. I didn't believe it would work, but I had no option. Read about the method on google to get details.
If you do plan on trying my method, I did it like this:
take apart laptop COMPLETELY
remove all components from motherboard, even protective stickers
place on baking sheet with foil underneath, and foil balls to hold up motherboard.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
place motherboard, with gpu side up in oven.
Cook for EXACTLY 8 minutes. any more and you could damage something easily.
After 8 minutes, open oven and let it vent out. Caution should be used as the motherboard will be emitting toxic fumes
Let cool for an hour, pop back in laptop, put it back together and shit your pants.
To my immense surprise, this seems legitimate
See this thread on Tom's Hardware. Looks like it should work but I can't help but think it'd be easier to try to get Dell to repair it, first :-)
(I'm sorry it took me so long to approve your post, it got lost in a mess of comment spam).
Thanks - good suggestion
Some people (fortunately a minority) have reported a lot of difficulty getting Dell to repair GPU failure. This should help a great deal; I'll suggest it to anyone who emails me about this issue in the future.
This Worked a Treat for me!
It has worked for me! But i took my 1210 into a computer repair shop and got them to check it and give me a technical report on the failed graphics card and motherboard so i only had to spend 20mins max on the phone with the people at Dell as i emailed them the report from the computer repair shop and they accepted it.....
so save your self time with dealing with a difficult Dell Tech by getting someone else to tell them that your laptop is fried!