How did you get Dell to fix your GPU??

[Jorune]

A friend has the Vostro 1400 whose warranty expired in Sept. The GPU has failed him. At first, CS was not aware that Dell was offering an extension on warranties for this specific issue. After a few calls, it was finally confirmed. He had to send it in for repair. He just got an email stating that the motherboard needs to be replaced and they want to charge him 400 bucks for it. They claim he has NO gpu (he has the 8400). after looking around here, I told him his GPU is soldered onto the mobo, so that is why it has to be replaced. But to charge him for it when Dell is covering it??

I have sent him the links to the Dell forum where they offer to extend warranties, he had offered to send the link to the CS'. But he is currently getting the run around. The CS he called claims all they know from the tech people is that it will cost 400 and its the mobo. they know nothing about a gpu problem (again, they claim they have no IDEA what gpu he has because its not listed in their 'notes').

UPDATE: Dell CS is now claiming that their is evidence that something was spilled on the mobo which my friend assures me never happened. And since they have his notebook...

jorune

[Greg]

The GPU is on the motherboard, simple as that. Dell needs to replace it.

I'd file a BBB complaint and try to get the ball rolling on that.

[atbnet]

Wow, what a terrible move by Dell to really screw their customers. They have known faulty video card and refuse to back up their guarantee to fix it. Did your friend purchase with a credit card? Most offer an extra year on products purchased with one.

[PhoenixFx]

UPDATE: Dell CS is now claiming that their is evidence that something was spilled on the mobo which my friend assures me never happened. And since they have his notebook...

That is unbelievable ! I can’t believe DELL would make up something like that….

[wodstock]

yeah, dell is shady lately...

[Rodster]

I just canceled a Vostro 2510 because it uses the suspect 8400GS (256MB) on board GPU. It was a great deal but I don't have a good feeling it will make it past a year of use.

[lambition]

Just another reason not to buy DELL.

I learned that DELL IT has blocked tabletpcreview.com in their network.

I had problems with my Latitude XT and I didn't want to repeat myself again and again I just gave him the link to what I posted on tabletpcreview.com. And I was told that site was blocked by their IT.
notebookreview.com might as well be blocked.

Dell doesn't want to hear their customer's complains?

[nizzy1115]

Just another reason not to buy DELL.

I learned that DELL IT has blocked tabletpcreview.com in their network.

I had problems with my Latitude XT and I didn't want to repeat myself again and again I just gave him the link to what I posted on tabletpcreview.com. And I was told that site was blocked by their IT.
notebookreview.com might as well be blocked.

Dell doesn't want to hear their customer's complains?

You do realize that this video card problem is industry wide, not just dell. NVIDIA made the faulty chips and provided them to notebook manufacturers. Its not dells fault. The anti dell bashing should be moved to anti NVIDIA instead.

- That said, its the reason I sold my Vostro 1500. I wanted out before anything went bad.

[mxl180]

how common is this problem... ? 5% ?

[Rodster]

how common is this problem... ? 5% ?

That sounds about right within the first 2 years. It also depends how hard you push the GPU. I have a Vostro 1500 that granted is only 6 months old but runs great. I don't play a whole lot of games on it and the GPU usually runs in the 34-39 degree Celsius range.