Dell XPS M1710 Nvidia Geforce Go 7950 GTX - Overheat Issue

Clone

Hi,

My Dell M1710 laptops graphics card overheated and I had to pay out to get it replaced 15 months after I bought the laptop.

I tried to argue with Dell that my consumer rights cover laptops for 2 years.
They wouldn't have any of it and isisted I paid.
I sent them an official letter of complaint regarding the issue but got a negative response from them.

I paid to have it repaired as I need it for work.

I will be persuing this to the highest levels and even to court if I have to.

I wanted to get an idea of how many individual people are experiencing this issue in Ireland, and hopefully bring us together to make a stand on what is a design flaw in the system. I know this because there are numerous posts regaring the topic: eg. http://msmvps.com/blogs/brianmadsen/archive/2008/09/17/dell-xps-m1710-gaming-laptop-overheating.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage

I look forward to getting some replies.

AlmightyCushion

The 7900gs in my inspiron 9400 is artefacting so it would be a similar problem to yours.

Having the exact same problem. It just started today: What do I do?

here.from.day.1

I had an m1710, its now my brothers but it has the 7950GTX. I always found that it got very hot but I think keeping the back raised slightly to allow airflow and clear of cover helps keep the temperature ok.

I know some of the overheating issues have been due to people using the "notebook" (specifically not called a laptop by Dell - legal loophole?) on their laps or on an uneven surface such as a bed etc.

Clone

Clone wrote: »

Hi,

My Dell M1710 laptops graphics card overheated and I had to pay out to get it replaced 15 months after I bought the laptop.

I tried to argue with Dell that my consumer rights cover laptops for 2 years.
They wouldn't have any of it and isisted I paid.
I sent them an official letter of complaint regarding the issue but got a negative response from them.

I paid to have it repaired as I need it for work.

I will be persuing this to the highest levels and even to court if I have to.

I wanted to get an idea of how many individual people are experiencing this issue in Ireland, and hopefully bring us together to make a stand on what is a design flaw in the system. I know this because there are numerous posts regaring the topic: eg. http://msmvps.com/blogs/brianmadsen/archive/2008/09/17/dell-xps-m1710-gaming-laptop-overheating.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage

I look forward to getting some replies.

How much was it? I'll need to pay for it too as I'm going round the world in 3 weeks!

Overheal

I think this plays into the same old shyte from nvidia

http://i.gizmodo.com/5063105/defective-nvidia-graphics-cards-confirmed-in-desktops

Take it to court my good man. Also try an Executive Email Carpet Bomb and filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

can you recommend software that will monitor my cpu and gfx card for this laptop?

here.from.day.1

Deleted User wrote: »

can you recommend software that will monitor my cpu and gfx card for this laptop?

Ik8fanGUI (Download)

Works fine with all XPS laptops including my M1530.

Guys my one was once off earlier and it has not come back since it did it twice earlier today and i had the computer doing more things when I tried to make it happen than it was earlier. Does this mean that my one could have been a once off? To be fair my xps has ALWAYS been on my lap and in my bed etc so this is probably my own fault.

here.from.day.1

Deleted User wrote: »

To be fair my xps has ALWAYS been on my lap and in my bed etc so this is probably my own fault.

I found that the temps shot up alot when doing this which is why I stopped. If you have a look at the temps on and off a bed you should see a big difference.

Clone

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

I was always very aware where the exhaust vents were and when using it on my lap for web browsing I put it on a flat tray when possible or made sure I wasn't blocking vents. It is labeled as a Desktop Replacement and thats where I mainly use it.

When mine went I had raised the laptop on some books (to bring the monitor up to eye level) so the air vents had absolutely no obstruction.

Ik8fanGUI is good but you need to set the a temperature offset in the advanced settings as it doesn't give an exact temperature reading. I used HWMonitor( http://www.download.com/HWMonitor/3000-2094_4-10793486.html) and n-tune (http://www.nvidia.com/object/ntune_5.05.54.00.html) which both had the same temperature to calibrate Ik8fanGUI which gives you more details eg. fan speed etc.

I paid €378.59, although I was originally quoted €504 but I protested that and was immediately offered the discounted rate, why I wasn't offered the discounted rate first time I don't know. Dubious if you ask me and thats what prompted me to research the issue more.

If your having the same problem and your still under warranty get the card replaced or even better push to get the whole system replaced and make sure it isn't an m1730 as this has its own graphics card issues.

If you are not covered by warranty but your laptop is no older than 2 years; under european consumer law you are entitled to have it fixed or replaced at the expense of the manufacturer http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/citizen/my_rights/index_en.htm

I tried to argue this case with Customer service but they weren't having any of it.

I got some good advice from the irish consumer affairs, I have sent a registerd official letter of complaint. My next step is to give Dell one final chance to make good before I take legal action.

I hope I've thrown some light on the situation for others in the same boat.

I'll keep you posted

here.from.day.1

Clone wrote: »

I'll keep you posted

Please do.

Do-more

Clone wrote: »

I have sent a registerd official letter of complaint. My next step is to give Dell one final chance to make good before I take legal action.

If your going legal the small claims court is your cheapest and probably best option. Drop into your local court and have a chat with the clerk about your case.

here.from.day.1

Also might be an idea to post in the Consumer issues forum with a link to this thread.

Have to say Dell did a good job on my laptop. Came out and fixed it and replaced the 7950gtx for 290. I bought the additional 3 year warranty for 183 so the total I paid was 473. A pity yes but it's worth it, the whole thing is covered now for the next 3 years.

Hi all,

Have a similiar issiue with a Vaio, which is 4 months out off warranty.

One off those G86 8400M GT, completley fried.

Anyways, they wanted €150 just to look at it.

I've just sent them a nice email looking for there address for which I need to put on the small claims court.

Nvidia >= Never again.

Yeah I suppose I should update the situation, the laptop is still fixed etc but I checked my statement and I was overcharged by the random Indian guy on the phone who takes your credit card details. I was charged over 555 Euro for graphics card replacement and 3 year warranty when I should have been charged 473 Euro in total. To make matters more confusing, they put it on my credit card in two transactions. Needless to say, if Dell give me any difficulty when I ring up, I'll be cancelling ALL of it in the bank today.

Overheal

NoDrama wrote: »

Hi all,

Have a similiar issiue with a Vaio, which is 4 months out off warranty.

One off those G86 8400M GT, completley fried.

Anyways, they wanted €150 just to look at it.

I've just sent them a nice email looking for there address for which I need to put on the small claims court.

Nvidia >= Never again.

Youre better off googling or using some webskills:

http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/emea/dell_in_ireland/locations/cherrywood?c=ie&l=en&s=corp

Most websites will have a Corporate or About us link hidden at the bottom of their front page, and following that I found the above link.

googling for Dell in the Cherrywood area pops up the address:
Dell Products
c/o Cherrywood Science & Technology Park
Dublin 18


Dell Products is registered in the Republic of Ireland under company number 191034 with registered address 25/28 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1. VAT registration number is IE 6591034U.

http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/topic.aspx/emea/shared/support/dellcare/en/postal_address?c=ie&cs=RC1078533&l=en&s=pad

After all I dont expect Dell to respond to your email the way youve put it

x in the city

loads and loads got issues with overheating on m1710 laptops, and mostly 7950s

I had a whole new mobo/7950 & new screen replaced last sept/oct..!

even thought my laptop is running perfect (with xp of course!) my warranty is out now and I might open up my machine and replace the thermal paste on the gfx card as dell have shoite thermal cooling.

x in the city

http://msmvps.com/blogs/brianmadsen/archive/2008/09/16/dell-xps-m1710-gaming-laptop-overheating.aspx

Overheal

x in the city wrote: »

loads and loads got issues with overheating on m1710 laptops, and mostly 7950s

I had a whole new mobo/7950 & new screen replaced last sept/oct..!

even thought my laptop is running perfect (with xp of course!) my warranty is out now and I might open up my machine and replace the thermal paste on the gfx card as dell have shoite thermal cooling.

"Clearly Vista is your problem. You really need to install XP."

x in the city

Clearly Vista is your problem. You really need to install XP

Don't think you read my post fully.....

I ditched Vista long ago, while others are still fustrated by the blighted thing

Is Vista a reason why this happens? Should I install XP?

Overheal

Deleted User wrote: »

Is Vista a reason why this happens? Should I install XP?

No, I was just being a smartass in relation to this thread:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055461928

Nevermind

Do-more

Deleted User wrote: »

Is Vista a reason why this happens? Should I install XP?

From reading through the Brian Madsen blog which X has linked to above it seems to me to be poor design layout of the internals of the M1710 coupled with dust build up and probably issues with the Nvidia cards and their drivers all combining together to cause the problems.

All I know is if I'd done better research and found that blog 6 weeks ago I would have never bought a M1710 for my nephew.

Making sure your system is free of dust build up on a regular basis is a good start, also install the I8KfanGUI software and have the fans run full on all the time. And delete the Dell GPU drivers and install the one from the nvidia site. That at least is what I will get the nephew to do once he has had his GPU replaced (hopefully under warranty)

x in the city

Making sure your system is free of dust build up on a regular basis is a good start, also install the I8KfanGUI software and have the fans run full on all the time. And delete the Dell GPU drivers and install the one from the nvidia site. That at least is what I will get the nephew to do once he has had his GPU replaced (hopefully under warranty)

why would you replace the gpu on your nephews laptop, is it faulty or just taking no chances?

dell have done a pretty bad job on the cooling of these m1710 laptops, the thermal paste even is junk.

I always use 3rd party drivers from sites like guru 3d, stock dell drivers are akin to putting diesel into a F1 car.

Overheal

with these chips I would take no chances, to be honest. The expected shelf life of an affected GPU is less than 2 years. Best to replace it to give you the best odds.

here.from.day.1

Do-more wrote: »

have the fans run full on all the time.

I dont think thats a great idea. The fans will wear out and your left with no fan for a time. Medium fan > none at all.

Do-more

x in the city wrote: »

why would you replace the gpu on your nephews laptop, is it faulty or just taking no chances?

dell have done a pretty bad job on the cooling of these m1710 laptops, the thermal paste even is junk.

I always use 3rd party drivers from sites like guru 3d, stock dell drivers are akin to putting diesel into a F1 car.

Yeh, looks like his GPU is gone, I put up another thread about it last weekend. I got a refurb M1710 for his mum to give him for Christmas, he only had it 14 days before it died, but the service tag on it is good for another 18 months so hopefully it will be sorted by Dell. His mum has been away on business this week so will only get to ring Dell about it today...

Overheal

here.from.day.1 wrote: »

I dont think thats a great idea. The fans will wear out and your left with no fan for a time. Medium fan > none at all.

Also: Noisy as hell.

Do-more

Overheal wrote: »

Also: Noisy as hell.

Seemingly not, according to posts on that blog.

You can in any case use that software to have the fans cut in at slightly lower temps rather than full on all the time.

And at least the cost of replacing fans is a lot lot lower than changing the GPU.

Do-more

Just got off the phone from Dell Technical support and am very impressed with their service, SIL couldn't get in touch with support in Sweden during the day so I rang the Irish support number and got I guy in India who then set up a conference call with the SIL in Sweden and went through the tests.

Confirmed it's a GPU issue and they will be out with a new one on Tuesday.

No problems with transferring the service contract to the SIL either, so they still have 505 days of cover left.

Do-more

Do-more wrote: »

Seemingly not, according to posts on that blog.

You can in any case use that software to have the fans cut in at slightly lower temps rather than full on all the time.

And at least the cost of replacing fans is a lot lot lower than changing the GPU.

No let me assure you, the fans on full are noisy regardless of what that blog says.

Do-more

Deleted User wrote: »

No let me assure you, the fans on full are noisy regardless of what that blog says.

Won't be me listening to them anyway!

Does anyone know what settings I8KFANGUI should be set up for the fans to start kicking in for my CPU and GPU?

Do-more

Do-more wrote: »

Just got off the phone from Dell Technical support and am very impressed with their service, SIL couldn't get in touch with support in Sweden during the day so I rang the Irish support number and got I guy in India who then set up a conference call with the SIL in Sweden and went through the tests.

Confirmed it's a GPU issue and they will be out with a new one on Tuesday.

No problems with transferring the service contract to the SIL either, so they still have 505 days of cover left.

Dell showed up on time today and replaced the GPU so the machine is up and running again.

The service guy admitted to the M1710 having a number of "issues"! And advised to keep it cleaned out so that their is no build up of dust and dirt which will effect the cooling.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what is the best way to do this, without having to open it up.

Is it OK to blow it out with an aerosol of compressed air or is it better to vacuum it out regularly? Is there any attachment that can go on a regular domestic vacuum cleaner or is there a good mini cleaner to do the job?

Cheers

D-M.

I was told not to use compressed air to blow into it as you will just blow the dust all around the system. The best thing to do if you don't want to open it up is to use the hoover to SUCK the dust out.

Clone

Got it sorted eventually.

I got nowhere after I sent in the official letter of complaint. Dell refused to refund the repair.

I was about to put in a court application but decided to give them one last chance so I emailed some executives in Dell who have some authority to make decisions, I attached my letter of complaint and explained the situation.

A couple of days later CS ring me and wanted to organise a repair. I inform them that I already got it repaired by a Dell technician so could they refund my card, they refused??? I got the impression the csr had no record of the repair so I emailed the order details for the repair and presumed that would be it.

I got a reply to my mail saying that they would not pay for the repair as it was out of warranty (back to square one!). This I found extremely annoying as I believed we were coming to the end of this issue. A couple of emails later (re-iterating my european consumer rights) the CSR finnally made good on his original promise.

If you know your rights and keep on pushing through the barriers that are laid down to disuade you from acting on your rights you will prevail even if you have to take it all the way to court(most companies will avoid this if they know your within your rights).

Glad to have my laptop running again.

TIP:
I installed the latest nvidia drivers from the nvidia site, these drivers have been approved by dell to work on a selection of xps laptops.

Since installing the drivers I've noticed better temperature control and much lower temperatures during gaming. They seem stable so far.

http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/winxp_notebook_175.32_whql_uk.html

Next step is to purchase an extended warranty just in case.

belly

i had the same problem with my xps 1710. it first started playing up on hosting coh online. i cleaned out the air inlet grills on the left and right side of the keyboard and hoovered the back airgrills and problem solved

pwd

anyone having issues like this with xps 1530?
Reading thsi thread reminds me to extend the warranty on mine.
It gets HOT when playing graphically intensive games.
I do keep the vents clear and back raised and it makes a noticeable difference.
Mine's worked fine so far (really happy with it aside from the worry about the gpu)

Clone

Guess what, it happened again! :mad:

The graphics card on my laptop packed up again yesterday.
Thankfully I purchased an extended warranty as I had a sneaking suspicion this would happen again.

I got on to Dell and they have organised for a technician to replace it.
I was told that it is being replaced with an upgraded version of the card that runs at lower temperatures. Hopefully this will be the case. I will be sure to thoroughly test this.

If it fails again I will be looking for a refund or replacement as this is a design flaw with this particular model.
The machine should run well without the need for frequent cleaning or third party accessories and software to keep the temperature down.

torrential

Came on to see if anyone else was having this problem.

Same story here, XPS M1710, 7950GTX. It's a pity because this laptop has done everything I've asked of it and more. The gpu failed within the one year window, Dell were FANTASTIC about replacing it. They sent a guy out the same day, he had the whole thing sorted in 20 mins. Now, here I am a year and a half later, without the warranty umbrella.

I'm astounded at the cost of a new GPU. I simply can't justify spending €500 on a new part for an old machine. I'm going to do my own research and see if I can find one to put in myself (I change the thermal paste bi-monthly so I know where it is and how it attatches etc. Hopefully this is possible...

I'm gutted, as without this mishap I would have no intention of upgrading for at least another year. I guess it's time to spring for that shiny new 17" Aluminium Macbook Pro.

Clone

Clone wrote: »

If it fails again I will be looking for a refund or replacement as this is a design flaw with this particular model.
The machine should run well without the need for frequent cleaning or third party accessories and software to keep the temperature down.

Ethics aside, if you are really annoyed with the treatment you are getting and they just keep replacing the same crappy faulty GPU, I was "advised" by a technician who was on the same wavelength as customers like you and I that if it start going again, you can do a couple of self-made things to ensure that the laptop doesn't work again and if it's under warranty they will have to replace it ! I'm not going to start messing with things like that but if they dick me around like some sort of idiot one more time - I'm going to let them have it. I splashed out for the new 3 year warranty.

Voodu Child

torrential wrote: »

I'm astounded at the cost of a new GPU. I simply can't justify spending €500 on a new part for an old machine. I'm going to do my own research and see if I can find one to put in myself (I change the thermal paste bi-monthly so I know where it is and how it attatches etc. Hopefully this is possible...

Don't laugh, but people have been giving their fried GPUs a temporary reprieve lately, by cooking them in the oven (in a very controlled way). Seriously :pac:, google it. You've nothing much to lose on a broken GPU in any case

On a serious note, its true that a replacement GPU would cost an absolute fortune. You could probably get one cheaper on ebay, though its a a fairly risky proposition, you've no guarantee that it won't die again soon. You might be able to replace it with something newer and more widely available like the 8700M GT, that might be a little cheaper. Im sure that was offered on the M1710 towards the end of its life.

Clone

Hi All,

Dell sent out a technician and within two days.
This was great service but then I realised I was given a refurbished card yet again, where I was assured by the tech this was an upgraded version of the card that didn't have this problem.

Two weeks ago the card went again. Now there is a "global backlog" for this part.
Nvidia as far as I know don't make this card anymore and I don't think any other card will go into it or a lesser card might.
Either way Dell can't give me a date on when I can expect to get my "top of the range" paperweight fixed. I will never spend that much money on a computer again.

I asked them for a replacement and tried to argue that I will only be contacting them again in a few months. They said that a replacement can only be issued if a service call fails.

Thankfully I held on to my previous desktop which I had to buy a graphics card for so that it could handle my work.

I think its time to go to the small claims court with this.

Voodu Child

Under the sale of goods and supply of services act, all parts used during warranty repairs must be of merchantable quality and fit for the purpose intended.

If the 7950GTX has packed in on you four (or whatever) times, you can argue that it is an inherently defective item ('not of merchantable quality') and not fit for the purpose intended (if it overheats and fails when gaming), and thus simply replacing it again and again is in violation of Irish consumer laws. The small claims court would side with you imo, provided you can show a good timeline of events (ie all the different dates that the machine broke and service calls etc).

I would just ask for the supervisor, or the highest possible person you can speak to, and give them an absolute earful, demand a new laptop of equivalent specification (ie 17", gaming). Especially if they can't even replace it immediately, you are without the use of a computer.

Clone

@Voodu Child: Thanks for the reply. It's been such a saga that I forget that all Dell want to do is put up a wall of resistance that will dissuade me from taking this further.

With allot of other things on my mind at the moment this has happened.

I need to step it up again to put this to bed once and for all. So I can get on with my life.

Overheal

I'd go ahead and file a small claim. **** em.

When I got the 8400 replaced they seemed to have actually repaired it (HP) - as in they actually went to the bother of getting me a replacement and then giving that a proper reapplication of paste etc. which is what all the modding communities seemed to suggest at the time.

They will do anything to go LA LA LA I CANT HEAR YOU so just file the damn claim, theyll get the summons and they will either default or be forced to pony up.

x in the city

small claim court ftw....!

Clone

Thanks to all for your support.

I rang Dell and lost the rag with them on the phone. This led to nothing.

After this call I just felt like giving up and looking at another manufacturer as I had been without my xps for nearly 2 weeks due to a backlog on parts.

I came back onto this forum and was encouraged by the support here, once I stewed on the idea over a weekend I rang Dell and in a calm and collected manner informed them that this was merely a courtesy call to allow them one final opportunity to resolve the issue before I took legal action.

I informed them that the part that had been constantly replaced was faulty and that It was in breach of my consumer rights.

They finnally agreed to replace it with an equivalent M1730 which I now have and am enjoying at the moment, fingers crossed nothing happens to this one.

Alanstrainor

Clone wrote: »

Thanks to all for your support.

I rang Dell and lost the rag with them on the phone. This led to nothing.

After this call I just felt like giving up and looking at another manufacturer as I had been without my xps for nearly 2 weeks due to a backlog on parts.

I came back onto this forum and was encouraged by the support here, once I stewed on the idea over a weekend I rang Dell and in a calm and collected manner informed them that this was merely a courtesy call to allow them one final opportunity to resolve the issue before I took legal action.

I informed them that the part that had been constantly replaced was faulty and that It was in breach of my consumer rights.

They finnally agreed to replace it with an equivalent M1730 which I now have and am enjoying at the moment, fingers crossed nothing happens to this one.

Thats a sweet deal right there!