Sony Vaio gpu problem

tuxy

Hi, I have a VAIO VGN-NR32S with a geforce 8400m GT.
I have owned it for about 26 months. A few days ago the gpu developed a problem, there's artefacts all over the screen at bios and windows won't boot.
After reading up on this it seems that this graphics card was defective and will normally pack it in after 2 years use. Do I have any come back on this or am I out of luck since it's past warranty.

thenightrider

Get on to sony i called them when my vaio's 8600 went and they changed the motherboard for me took about 3 days from the day it was picked up at my house to the day it was droped back.

tuxy

Sounds promising, will do. Thanks

thenightrider

No probs best of luck

Ps when you call the number you will get an automated machine and you will have to put in a code on the bottom of your laptop you will then be told it is out of warenty and they will give you a number to call that costs mad money to ring

So what i did on the sony web site it asks what counrty you are from on one of the uk sites as far as i rember there is a live chat so you can get it sorted on line with out paying mad money to ring up the number i cant find it now but if you find the live chat post back a link hnady to have.

All the best

tuxy

Sound, will post back if I find the link + let you know how I get on.

tuxy

I ended up calling the number that's 33 cent a minute because I could not find the online chat link. Was told that my laptop was not listed as one of the models affected by the nvidia problem. I'm fairly sure that's not true as it has the 8400m gt chipset. Not sure what to do now. It's £55 just to get the laptop sent to sony, who knows what they would charge for a repair.

thenightrider

I was told when sending in mine that it would cost me £170 just to have it diagnosed but if the problum was the gpu then the whole lot would be free.

So if it is 170 just to have it diagnosed i dred to think how much it would cost to get fixed.

I knew for sure it was the gpu as i fix laptops and ive fixed many a gpu so i sent mine in might as well get it fixed for free.

I can take a look at your laptop if you want.

MacGyver

some info here regarding machines covered. ill leave it here for anyone to see should they need it as i dont think your machine is covered GPU Issues

tuxy

thenightrider wrote: »

I can take a look at your laptop if you want.

I'm fairly sure it is the GPU. Many of the ones recalled have the same GPU as I have so I don't understand why mine is not covered.

Thanks for the offer to have a look at it but do you think there is anything you could do to repair the GPU? Sounds like I need a new motherboard.

B00MSTICK

Unfortunately only certain models are covered under the free replacement scheme even though it seems to effect more than what they're saying...

tuxy

Yeah it's bull, I disabled the nvidia driver in safe mode and now the laptop will boot windows and I can use it for most things apart from video playback which is very poor with the default windows driver. There is some graphical distortion but at least I can use it for browsing the web.
Unless anyone has any bright ideas I will just have to start saving for a new laptop.