Fear Not Dell Owners! Nvidia Denies the Widespread Epidemic of 8400GS and 8600GT Overheating!

[fire268]

Can I return mine within the 21 days after getting it without having to pay a restocking fee or whatever? 15% is really high...

Yes, I believe you can (well at least it was for my RMA'd Lenovo which genuinely had a problem). As long as you don't tell them that you want to return it because you don't like it or you just don't want it. Find a problem with it or something that was Dell's error and you'll be fine. Having it run too hot on the bottom is a good one. Or perhaps a dead pixel? Just make sure that the restocking fee is waived when you get your RMA and before you send it back.

Also a quick call to Tech Support to establish a case # (for the problem) would be a good idea (then the RMA rep could reference that # to justify your waived fee). Of course they'll want you to go thru the return/repair channel but don't do that. Just tell them that if you're not able to fix the prob over the phone then you'll return it cuz it's still within 21 days.

[Death Ro]

The only problem it has is that it gives me this message:

"The AC power adapter wattage and type cannot be determined.
The battery may not charge.
The system will adjust the performance to match the power available.

Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or greater for best system performance.

To resolve this issue, try to reseat the power adapter

Strike the F3 key (before the F1 or F2 key) if you do not want to see power warning messages again.

Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility. Press F5 to un onboard diagnostics. "

Whenever I start it up.

[Rodster]

The only problem it has is that it gives me this message:

"The AC power adapter wattage and type cannot be determined.
The battery may not charge.
The system will adjust the performance to match the power available.

Please connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or greater for best system performance.

To resolve this issue, try to reseat the power adapter

Strike the F3 key (before the F1 or F2 key) if you do not want to see power warning messages again.

Strike the F1 key to continue, F2 to run the setup utility. Press F5 to un onboard diagnostics. "

Whenever I start it up.

That problem also happens intermittently on my Vostro 1500. The most likely cause is a motherboard issue.

Here's the easy fix. When you get that message again just unplug the AC adapter from either the wall or the back of the unit. Press F1 to continue or you can go into your BIOS F2 and look at Battery Performance. You'll notice it says 65W AC Adapter ! Now unplug the adapter and put it back. You'll see the screen change from 65W to 90W.

I think it's more of a firmware issue and I mentioned it to Dell. I wish they would look into this. My Vostro 1700 doesn't have this problem. It's really hit and miss.

[Death Ro]

Actually mine says that the AC adapter is an unknown device in the BIOS. *EDIT* I plugged it into a different outlet and a surge protector and the BIOS detects it now...

[Rodster]

Actually mine says that the AC adapter is an unknown device in the BIOS.

Have you tried unplugging the adapter while in the BIOS and then reconnecting it to see if the "unknown status" changes?

If so I would call Dell and request a new adapter.

[Death Ro]

Yeah, in the BIOS it says it detects a 90w adapter.

[NewDelly]

"only a very small percentage of the notebook chips that have shipped" and that "the problem depends on a combination of environmental conditions, configuration, and usage model."

Read between the lines people. This means...

ALL models are possibly affected UNLESS you run them in a certain condition, configuration and 'usage model'

This is just a sly way of denying something that exists. Apparently people fall for this crap.

[JAV1563]

Damn... i ordered an m1530 on 21/7/08 and its in the building stage... called them and told me that dell engineers has solved the issue and that the bios update its just prevention, and that the problem is fixed and thats the reason why they still shipping system with those video cards.... i guess i'll wait for my system, and, i have 2 year warrantly... i'll stress the hell out of the graphics card by the second i get it.... and then shut it down... to see about the heating ciclying thing... but well... 3 operators assured me that the problem is solved... ''We cant take the risk of shipping one of our premium xps laptops with defective video cards, besides, nvidia is of the best brands in this market'' fuc**** sales person... i hope they are right.... and to be honest... there's some complaining on the video cards failing... but its not a disaster that everyone its on the streets with their 8600m GT's fried... and they have a year on the market.... so let see how things goes... also told me that 2 years warrantly it's international... anyone knows if this is true? or just to avoid i cancel the order, cause i told them i was taking the system to another country o0...!

[ElectricTool]

I don't see how Dell engineers can "fix" this problem, considering that it arises from a manufacturing defect on Nvidia's part.

[KrieGLoCK]

lmao

new dye, new material who knows.