Replace Graphics card

adrian522

Hi,

I have a dell inspiron 9400. It has a nvidia geforce 7900 go card in it. The graphics card memory is apparently corrupted and will need to be replaced.

Basically what is the best place to get a new card and to get it installed.

I assume I must get the exact same card again, is this the case?

ebay are selling the cards for about Eur450.

The laptop is out of warranty would it be worthwhile calling dell to get a quote ?

Thanks for any advice offered!!

Voodu Child

You need the same card, or another card that was offered in your model, provided they are the same connector type as what you currently have. Probably MXM.

I would visit a dedicated Dell forum (try notebookreview.com) to get the best advice as to compatible cards, you're probably looking at 7800, 7900, 7950.

As for where to buy, there's nowhere specific really, just scrounge around and see what you can find (ebay etc). Did you contact Dell to see if they can sell you one? (won't be cheap)

The 9400 uses a proprietary graphics card, Dell don't use MXM. And they tend to fail a lot. Your options are either to replace it with another 7900 from a 9400 or you could also use a 6800 from a 9300 with a slight modification. I think there's also some ATI variants available for that laptop. Regardless, it's a Dell specific part.

adrian522

Called Dell and apparently they don't have these parts any more

I could keep an eye on ebay for second hand laptop with this card in it or just buy a card off ebay.....

Doesn't seem to be too many other options.

gamer

YOU can buy an external usb graphics card but if its not plug and play you,d have to install the driver from the cd.THIS would be difficult if the present graphics card is completely dead.IF you had another identical dell laptop you could install the driver by swapping the hardrive from the working dell laptop.
see , http://www.onsale.com/ttsvr/p/4586548?dpno=7477960&store=onsale&source=BWBBIZRATE&srccode=cii_10043468 or google usb graphics card review.OR try connecting svideo to a tv use fn and f5 ,tv key to switch on external display ,or plug into a vga monitor.

USB graphics cards are very basic, usually enough to display Windows and nothing else. Plus the OP would need an external monitor. Chances are, if the internal graphics card is faulty then the machine will become unstable anyway.

x in the city

better off with a new laptop i reckon

bit of a no brainer tbh

adrian522

Hi Guy's,
I got a replacement graphics card off ebay. I just need someone to fit it. It's not an easy job as you need to remove the screen, keyboard etc to access the graphics card before replacing it.

I've sent queries to a few places but they are all looking for 100 -150 to do this. Can you recomend anyone that would do it cheaper?

BTW, I didn't want to scarp the laptop as it has a very high spec screen (WUXGA 1900 x 1200) so decided to go down the route of replacing the card. Thanks for all the replies.

5uspect

You can usually find instructions on how to dismantle the laptop on the Dell site if you're confortable to do it yourself. It's not too messy but it can take a bit of time to do it carefully. Usually involves removing the cover behind the keyboard, lifting off the keyboard, and then maybe the screen so you can remove the top half of the outer housing to expose the motherboard. You'll then have to remvoe the cooling unit which is notmally partially covered by the outer housing.

€100 isn't bad TBH.

anthony4335

You can download the manuals from dell, they will show you how to remove the covers etc to get to the motherboard. Quite easy to follow, with illustrations.

adrian522

adrian522 wrote: »

Hi Guy's,
I got a replacement graphics card off ebay. I just need someone to fit it. It's not an easy job as you need to remove the screen, keyboard etc to access the graphics card before replacing it.

I've sent queries to a few places but they are all looking for 100 -150 to do this. Can you recomend anyone that would do it cheaper?

BTW, I didn't want to scarp the laptop as it has a very high spec screen (WUXGA 1900 x 1200) so decided to go down the route of replacing the card. Thanks for all the replies.

Whereabouts are you? I'll do it for you if you like.

adrian522

Cool..I'll have a look. Thanks guys.

bennyc

Hi I have the same card and Laptop, I baked my card in the oven for 10 minutes and it worked until Saturday night, so I am going to buy a new card.
Try the baking trick once as you have nothing to loose seeing that is already broke.

I take it you have the NVidia 7900GS 256MB , you can install an NVidia Quadro 512 which will work out identical to an overclocked NVidia 7900Gs after a BIOS flash as a fraction the cost but better performance. The Quadro cards also have dual heat pipes which is half the reason your laptop is borked. The other half is using a fan management program form the forum below.

Read this forum and you will get a lot of tips. Note the FAQ at the top.

Installing a new card is very simple read this. Just be careful but firm when taking off the power button cover the rest is handy enough.

bennyc

sorry I didnt see you already got the card see my post above for a step by step guide. What card did you get in the end up and where. I am going to order soon.

adrian522

Got the same card again from a guy in Australia. was around €180 including postage. They were €450 from the UK.

I'm getting a friend to install it tonight so hopefully it will work ok, fingers crossed anyway.

I'll have a look at trying to install something to keep an eye on the temp as I don't want to fry another card.

In hindsight I should have forked out for the dell extended warranty, but they never told me the graphics card was going give up after 2.5 years....

Anything else I'd have no problem replacing myself but this seems a bit technical for me...

adrian522

The card has been replaced but was slightly different from the original 2 heat sinks intead of one. Required a little bit of filing of the case to make it fit,

All seems to be working now.