My XPS M1330 laptop seems to have heat problems
with its nVidia graphic chip. I had left a Vista installation
DVD in the op drive for a couple days when one day at
startup, the screen just displayed fine vertical colored lines
that slowly faded in and out and varied in color. Dell's
techs in the Philippines had me run diagnostics, and they
concluded that I needed a new nVidia chip and heatsink,
i.e. a new motherboard. The error code that I remember
was "2000, 0147". They also said I might need a new
optical drive, so they scheduled a warranty visit.
But then the laptop worked fine, so I cancelled the tech
visit. Now, in mid-session, the screen went white
progressively in blocks, and I could only shut down
because I knew where the invisible buttons were.
Has anyone here heard of an overheating problem with
M1330's nVidia chip? The weather here in L.A. hit a
hot spell this past weekend, and I'm wondering if that
finally triggered a thermal susceptibility in the laptop.
"Timothy Daniels" <NoSpam@SpamMeKnot.biz> wrote in message
news:yO2dnUmewMYQCdbXnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@earthlink.co m...
> My XPS M1330 laptop seems to have heat problems
> with its nVidia graphic chip. I had left a Vista installation
> DVD in the op drive for a couple days when one day at
> startup, the screen just displayed fine vertical colored lines
> that slowly faded in and out and varied in color. Dell's
> techs in the Philippines had me run diagnostics, and they
> concluded that I needed a new nVidia chip and heatsink,
> i.e. a new motherboard. The error code that I remember
> was "2000, 0147". They also said I might need a new
> optical drive, so they scheduled a warranty visit.
>
> But then the laptop worked fine, so I cancelled the tech
> visit. Now, in mid-session, the screen went white
> progressively in blocks, and I could only shut down
> because I knew where the invisible buttons were.
>
> Has anyone here heard of an overheating problem with
> M1330's nVidia chip? The weather here in L.A. hit a
> hot spell this past weekend, and I'm wondering if that
> finally triggered a thermal susceptibility in the laptop.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>
__ http://www.bootstrike.com/ComputerService/
Singapore Computer Home Remote On-Site Repair Service
"Timothy Daniels" <NoSpam@SpamMeKnot.biz> wrote in message
news:yO2dnUmewMYQCdbXnZ2dnUVZ_oWdnZ2d@earthlink.co m...
> My XPS M1330 laptop seems to have heat problems
> with its nVidia graphic chip. I had left a Vista installation
> DVD in the op drive for a couple days when one day at
> startup, the screen just displayed fine vertical colored lines
> that slowly faded in and out and varied in color. Dell's
> techs in the Philippines had me run diagnostics, and they
> concluded that I needed a new nVidia chip and heatsink,
> i.e. a new motherboard. The error code that I remember
> was "2000, 0147". They also said I might need a new
> optical drive, so they scheduled a warranty visit.
>
> But then the laptop worked fine, so I cancelled the tech
> visit. Now, in mid-session, the screen went white
> progressively in blocks, and I could only shut down
> because I knew where the invisible buttons were.
>
> Has anyone here heard of an overheating problem with
> M1330's nVidia chip? The weather here in L.A. hit a
> hot spell this past weekend, and I'm wondering if that
> finally triggered a thermal susceptibility in the laptop.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>
"S.Lewis" offered:
>
> "Timothy Daniels" wrpte:
>> My XPS M1330 laptop seems to have heat problems
>> with its nVidia graphic chip. I had left a Vista installation
>> DVD in the op drive for a couple days when one day at
>> startup, the screen just displayed fine vertical colored lines
>> that slowly faded in and out and varied in color. Dell's
>> techs in the Philippines had me run diagnostics, and they
>> concluded that I needed a new nVidia chip and heatsink,
>> i.e. a new motherboard. The error code that I remember
>> was "2000, 0147". They also said I might need a new
>> optical drive, so they scheduled a warranty visit.
>>
>> But then the laptop worked fine, so I cancelled the tech
>> visit. Now, in mid-session, the screen went white
>> progressively in blocks, and I could only shut down
>> because I knew where the invisible buttons were.
>>
>> Has anyone here heard of an overheating problem with
>> M1330's nVidia chip? The weather here in L.A. hit a
>> hot spell this past weekend, and I'm wondering if that
>> finally triggered a thermal susceptibility in the laptop.
>>
>> *TimDaniels*
>>
>
>
> Tim,
>
> I'd get it replaced. It's a known issue across all OEMs using the chip, including Apple I believe:
> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...op+over&aqi=g2
>
>
> -Stew
Yup, I guess all those articles make it pretty clear that my nVidia
chip is overheating. Thanks. I've got a warranty visit scheduled by
Dell for a motherboard/heatsink replacement.
Thanks for the link. That article makes it pretty clear
that the nVidia chip is fried or frying. Dell has a technician
scheduled to replace it along with the entire motherboard
and heatsink. After 16 months, now, and 4 technician visits
to replace hardware, Dell has certainly lost money on this
laptop. This "frailty" is one reason why I strongly prefer
to work with desktop computers.
*TimDaniels*
"Singapore Computer Service" said:
> Hello,
>
> See
> http://news.cnet.com/8301-13554_3-10020782-33.html
>
>
> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>> My XPS M1330 laptop seems to have heat problems
>> with its nVidia graphic chip. I had left a Vista installation
>> DVD in the op drive for a couple days when one day at
>> startup, the screen just displayed fine vertical colored lines
>> that slowly faded in and out and varied in color. Dell's
>> techs in the Philippines had me run diagnostics, and they
>> concluded that I needed a new nVidia chip and heatsink,
>> i.e. a new motherboard. The error code that I remember
>> was "2000, 0147". They also said I might need a new
>> optical drive, so they scheduled a warranty visit.
>>
>> But then the laptop worked fine, so I cancelled the tech
>> visit. Now, in mid-session, the screen went white
>> progressively in blocks, and I could only shut down
>> because I knew where the invisible buttons were.
>>
>> Has anyone here heard of an overheating problem with
>> M1330's nVidia chip? The weather here in L.A. hit a
>> hot spell this past weekend, and I'm wondering if that
>> finally triggered a thermal susceptibility in the laptop.
>>
>> *TimDaniels*
>>
>
>
"Timothy Daniels" <NoSpam@SpamMeKnot.biz> wrote in message
news:JtidnUZG_4K2IdbXnZ2dnUVZ_t6dnZ2d@earthlink.co m...
> Thanks for the link. That article makes it pretty clear
> that the nVidia chip is fried or frying. Dell has a technician
> scheduled to replace it along with the entire motherboard
> and heatsink. After 16 months, now, and 4 technician visits
> to replace hardware, Dell has certainly lost money on this
> laptop. This "frailty" is one reason why I strongly prefer
> to work with desktop computers.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>
NVidia has had their problems over the years with thermal issues. I just
witnessed my 2nd GeForce 7300 GS PCIe desktop card with a dead fan (and both
cards were DOA as well).
Cramming a GPU into a tight space - such as a laptop housing - the design
has to be especially good I'd think to provide sufficient ventilation.
"S.Lewis" wrote:
>
> "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
>> Thanks for the link. That article makes it pretty clear
>> that the nVidia chip is fried or frying. Dell has a technician
>> scheduled to replace it along with the entire motherboard
>> and heatsink. After 16 months, now, and 4 technician visits
>> to replace hardware, Dell has certainly lost money on this
>> laptop. This "frailty" is one reason why I strongly prefer
>> to work with desktop computers.
>>
>> *TimDaniels*
>>
>
>
> NVidia has had their problems over the years with thermal issues.
> I just witnessed my 2nd GeForce 7300 GS PCIe desktop card
> with a dead fan (and both cards were DOA as well).
>
> Cramming a GPU into a tight space - such as a laptop housing -
> the design has to be especially good I'd think to provide sufficient
> ventilation.
>
Yeah, ventilation is a big variable in laptop design. Pulling air
in at the bottom assumes that there is clearance under the laptop
for air to flow in - and how can they guarantee that? The air
intake should be on one of the 4 sides or behind or above the
keyboard.
Timothy Daniels wrote:
> My XPS M1330 laptop seems to have heat problems
> with its nVidia graphic chip. I had left a Vista installation
> DVD in the op drive for a couple days when one day at
> startup, the screen just displayed fine vertical colored lines
> that slowly faded in and out and varied in color. Dell's
> techs in the Philippines had me run diagnostics, and they
> concluded that I needed a new nVidia chip and heatsink,
> i.e. a new motherboard. The error code that I remember
> was "2000, 0147". They also said I might need a new
> optical drive, so they scheduled a warranty visit.
>
> But then the laptop worked fine, so I cancelled the tech
> visit. Now, in mid-session, the screen went white
> progressively in blocks, and I could only shut down
> because I knew where the invisible buttons were.
>
> Has anyone here heard of an overheating problem with
> M1330's nVidia chip? The weather here in L.A. hit a
> hot spell this past weekend, and I'm wondering if that
> finally triggered a thermal susceptibility in the laptop.
>
> *TimDaniels*
>
>
nVidia graphics chips have long had a propensity for overheating, partly
due to the designs that have always pushed the envelope, sometimes due
to poor design of whatever ventilates the chip, sometimes because the
ventilating air ducts are clogged, sometimes because a fan fails or runs
too slowly to be effective.
Schedule the warranty service. I hope the system is still under
warranty. If not, make sure Dell has a record of the earlier call to
tech support. If the failure occured in warranty, you have good
justification for a repair under warranty... Ben Myers
"Ben Myers" wrote:
> Schedule the warranty service. I hope the system is still under warranty. If not, make sure Dell has a record of the
> earlier call to tech support. If the failure occured in warranty, you have good justification for a repair under
> warranty... Ben Myers
I have a warranty with 4 more years left. That's why these
techs come surrying out every time. I normally don't buy
warranties, but this one has really paid off - or should I say
"Dell has paid off"? Now I wonder why the original diagnosis
included a DVD optical drive if the mobo switch didn't solve
the problem. Are the optical drives causing the overheating?
> Now I wonder why the original diagnosis included a DVD
> optical drive if the mobo switch didn't solve the problem.
>*Are the optical drives causing the overheating?
I doubt it. They get only moderately warm in operation, even after
extended periods. However, a bad optical drive could be causing
problems for the logic on the motherboard, thusly making it fail.
Both the major video card chipset makers (ATI/nVidia) have had their
problems with heat. And when you factor in third parties building some
of these cards and doing things they should not (like putting
capacitors right in front of the fan outlet), it's a wonder sometimes
that the cards last as long as they do.
nVidia has a decently cool running GPU in the form of the GeForce
6200. I've never seen the heatsink on any of those become any more
than moderately warm. Some of their other GPUs could take lessons.
M1330 laptop's nVidia chip overheating? 
Linear Mode
