Technology Get the latest on technology, electronics and software…

Attention All Laptop Owners Massive Recall, Read This!

Thread Tools
 
Old 08-03-2008, 09:57 PM
  #1  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
Exclamation Attention All Laptop Owners Massive Recall, Read This!

Much like the Sony laptop battery fiasco of a few years ago which affected almost all laptop manufacturers, Nvidia is facing a massive recall due to overheating graphics processors. At first Nvidia it only affected previous gen GPUs but now it's come out that all Nvidia GPUs over the past few years are affected.

NVIDIA reported higher than average failures in both the laptop GPUs and in laptop chipsets.

NVIDIA said that the chips and their packaging were made with materials that proved to be too "weak". NVIDIA passes the blame to notebook manufacturers, which it says contributes to the problem. Typically notebooks have poorer ventilation and components concentrated in a smaller space than desktop computers.

The result of the recalls is that NVIDIA will be taking a onetime charge of $150M USD to $200M USD to cover the damages. It plans to use the money to repair or replace defective parts. It also hopes to collect part of the money from insurers it uses. However, it has acknowledged its problems and switched the materials it uses.

The news has resulted in NVIDIA taking a beating on the stock market, sliding over 25 percent.

It turns out virtually all the NVIDIA mobile chips are defective. NVIDIA tried to brush off the issue stating that the issue was a "previous-generation" problem. However, it turns out that virtually all 8400M and 8600M chips are defective. These chips make up the bulk of NVIDIA's higher end graphics offerings. While NVIDIA started to roll out the first of its 9 series mobile chips, the 8 series represents the flagship line of its mobile offerings.

The low to middle end chips are also virtually all defective. Among the defective lines are the GeForce Go 7000 and 6000 lines, as well as the Quadro NVS 135M and the Quadro FX 360M.
Dell has released a "fix" but all it does is increase the fan speed of the GPU to keep it cooler which isn't much of a solution.


symptoms and causes are:

a number of NVIDIA mobile GPUs had extremely poor thermal tolerances thanks to defects. This leads to early chip death and faulty behaviors, such as artifacting, as chips start to fail. <a href="http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2008/07/25/nvidia-gpu-update-for-dell-laptop-owners.aspx" rel="nofollow" title="NVIDIA GPU Update for Dell Laptop Owners ">According to Dell</a>, signs
of GPU failure include multiple images, random characters appearing onscreen,
lines on the screen, or no video at all.&nbsp; Dell claims the updates will not
affect battery life.&nbsp; Its new Vostro line of notebooks is shipping with
the fix preinstalled.
If you have an HP laptop see here
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...c01300427_dv20
for dell:
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archi...op-owners.aspx

Now this SHOULD affect all laptop manufacturers that used these Nvidia chips so if you have any links for other companies please feel free to post them. I'm sure we'll hear more as this goes along. Much like the Sony battery fiasco it was a while before all the manufacturers came forward with recalls.
Old 08-03-2008, 10:00 PM
  #2  
Needs more Lemon Pledge
 
stogie1020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Age: 52
Posts: 52,768
Received 2,000 Likes on 1,173 Posts
(no homo)
Old 08-03-2008, 10:10 PM
  #3  
Race Director
iTrader: (1)
 
Trackruner228's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Charlotte(home) /Raleigh (school), NC
Age: 35
Posts: 11,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Happy 2293 posts?

I have a toshiba but my dad has an HP I will have to tell him.
Old 08-03-2008, 10:14 PM
  #4  
I disagree with unanimity
iTrader: (2)
 
sho_nuff1997's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: WI
Age: 46
Posts: 14,035
Received 27 Likes on 20 Posts
We have Dell D630s at work, haven't seen any problems with them yet.
Old 08-03-2008, 10:15 PM
  #5  
Race Director
iTrader: (1)
 
Trackruner228's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Charlotte(home) /Raleigh (school), NC
Age: 35
Posts: 11,395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
After looking it over I think are HP is good and considering its not even a week old it should be
Old 08-03-2008, 10:16 PM
  #6  
Adventurist.
 
NiteQwill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 6,661
Received 58 Likes on 22 Posts


Does this mean all my computers get new video cards?
Old 08-03-2008, 10:21 PM
  #7  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
If you're not sure if you have Nvidia GPU and you want to check if you have one here's how.

For Vista:

open the start menu and type in "device manager"
open device manager and under display adapters it will tell you which GPU you have.

For XP:
open the start menu and right click on "my computer" and choose "properties" at the bottom
then choose the hardware tab
open device manager and under display adapters it will tell you which GPU you have.


For Mac:
basically if you have a Macbook Pro your got Nvidia graphics but if you want to be sure
click on the Apple icon and choose about this mac.
Choose more info button which opens system profiler
in the list on the left choose graphics/displays which will list the graphics for your Mac.

For Linux:
I don't need to tell you cause you already know cause you spent an hour searching the internet trying to find drivers for your GPU!
Old 08-03-2008, 11:24 PM
  #8  
Pro
 
Hype's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Up North
Posts: 626
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
aww shiite looks like i have the nvidia
hopefully its alrite
Old 08-03-2008, 11:53 PM
  #9  
Racer
 
zot09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have a 8600M GS on my HP, but I can't find my notebook series on the website. I have a Pavillion dv97xx, but it only goes up to dv94xx on their website. Am I fine?
Old 08-04-2008, 12:04 AM
  #10  
Senior Moderator
 
Ken1997TL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Better Neighborhood, Arizona
Posts: 45,641
Received 2,329 Likes on 1,309 Posts
My Acer has an Nvidia in it as well..

damn..
Old 08-04-2008, 12:25 AM
  #11  
Advanced
 
NighthawkCruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My MacBook Pro 2.2GHz has it.....GeForce 8600M GT. Wonder how Apple will react.
Old 08-04-2008, 12:57 AM
  #12  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
Originally Posted by zot09
I have a 8600M GS on my HP, but I can't find my notebook series on the website. I have a Pavillion dv97xx, but it only goes up to dv94xx on their website. Am I fine?
They do say that virtually all Nvidia Chips are defective so I guess there maybe a couple that are fine but I wouldn't be suprised if HP added to their list as time went along. During the Sony battery recall I believe Dell made a few announcements of recalls, a million here a million there.

Also the inquirer is reporting that ALL Nvidia G84 and G86 are defective desktop and mobile since they use the same ASIC, IDK if this is true or not.

http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquir...ia-g84-g86-bad

I have an 8800GT so I hope this doesn't spread.

I checked Nvidia's site and couldn't find anything except a mention in their fiscal earnings report and the inquirer says Nvidia is deleting any mentions of this problem on their forums!! That's bullshit!!

Last edited by #1 STUNNA; 08-04-2008 at 01:01 AM.
Old 08-04-2008, 01:02 AM
  #13  
Needs more Lemon Pledge
 
stogie1020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Age: 52
Posts: 52,768
Received 2,000 Likes on 1,173 Posts
OK, wait just ONE second here.

Your source on all this is the INQUIRER??

As in the "Woman gives birth to three headed sextuplets with an alien father" Inquirer?

Old 08-04-2008, 01:14 AM
  #14  
I don't have a Ferrari in
 
mastertl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
lol
Old 08-04-2008, 01:20 AM
  #15  
I don't have a Ferrari in
 
mastertl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
http://apcmag.com/nvidia_disaster_th...pus_faulty.htm

Update to the issue. Its from a much more reputable source than the Inquirer.
Old 08-04-2008, 01:26 AM
  #16  
Needs more Lemon Pledge
 
stogie1020's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Age: 52
Posts: 52,768
Received 2,000 Likes on 1,173 Posts
OK, I withdraw my last mocking comment.

Sorry Stunna.
Old 08-04-2008, 01:29 AM
  #17  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
Woah woah woah!!! NO!! I know better than to quote the inquirer as truth!! The first post is based from Dailytech, I've also seen it at engadget and gizmodo. This is legit. Note when I mentioned the inquirer I said and I quote

Originally Posted by me
IDK if this is true or not.
Don't try me like I'm some :noob: I know what's up!

I was gonna mention the shady record of the inquirer but I forgot and when I went back to edit AZ slowed down and I didn't make it within the 5 minutes.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/02/n...-are-defectiv/
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=12553

Last edited by #1 STUNNA; 08-04-2008 at 01:32 AM.
Old 08-04-2008, 01:33 AM
  #18  
I don't have a Ferrari in
 
mastertl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Originally Posted by #1 DOUCHER
I was gonna mention the shady record of the inquirer but I forgot and when I went back to edit AZ slowed down and I didn't make it within the 5 minutes.
Haha, now that I think about it, and now that I've heard this story I think my MPB might have some problems.

It froze yesterday completely. I can't move the mouse, couldn't use the keyboard. Usually a force quit will do but this just completely froze. My old Powerbook never even blipped.

Hope its okay.
Old 08-04-2008, 02:12 AM
  #19  
Registered but harmless
 
Will Y.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
Posts: 14,857
Received 1,149 Likes on 775 Posts
My Lenovo 3000 Y410 is all Intel chips and adapters.

My HP DV5XXX has a Nvidia chip (based on the decal applied to the palmrest area); I'll have to check to see if it has one of the Geoforce 8400 or 8600 processors at the next log-on.
Old 08-04-2008, 03:29 AM
  #20  
Drifting
 
Osamu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: 808
Age: 40
Posts: 3,138
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by sho_nuff1997
We have Dell D630s at work, haven't seen any problems with them yet.
we use the same one's at work too. I think the nvidia graphics card is an upgrade though, and the default the an intel one. If you do have the nvidia card is it part of the recall?
Old 08-04-2008, 07:31 AM
  #21  
I disagree with unanimity
iTrader: (2)
 
sho_nuff1997's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: WI
Age: 46
Posts: 14,035
Received 27 Likes on 20 Posts
Originally Posted by Osamu
we use the same one's at work too. I think the nvidia graphics card is an upgrade though, and the default the an intel one. If you do have the nvidia card is it part of the recall?
This is the one time I am glad the firm is cheap. We only have the Intel graphics. This would have been a huge PITA.
Old 08-04-2008, 08:44 AM
  #22  
Team Owner
iTrader: (1)
 
Sly Raskal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Fontana, California
Age: 47
Posts: 30,991
Received 582 Likes on 346 Posts
Originally Posted by NighthawkCruiser
My MacBook Pro 2.2GHz has it.....GeForce 8600M GT. Wonder how Apple will react.
I'm anxiously awaiting to hear what Apple will be doing.
Old 08-04-2008, 09:05 AM
  #23  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
It seems that Dell and HP aren't doing recalls, they both released a firmware update that makes the GPU fan come on much more often and I think they extended the warranties. Unlike the sony batteries this won't spontaneously combust so they'll probably try not to do a recall and just fix all the broke ones much like MS is doing with the RRoD 360s even though the fail rate of the 360s is at about 33% they still haven't and won't do a recall.
Old 08-04-2008, 09:10 AM
  #24  
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
 
RaviNJCLs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Landisville, PA
Age: 49
Posts: 37,115
Received 602 Likes on 419 Posts
I will have to check my home computer later.
Old 08-04-2008, 10:44 AM
  #25  
Sweet!
iTrader: (1)
 
thunder04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 4,104
Received 80 Likes on 69 Posts
Originally Posted by #1 DOUCHER
For Linux:
I don't need to tell you cause you already know cause you spent an hour searching the internet trying to find drivers for your GPU!
I beg to differ...

ATI is the typically the pain in the ass when it comes to Linux (although I have no recent experience). nVidia has native drivers for Linux posted on their website. Plus, most recent distros come packages with or give you easy access to nVidia drivers. I know Ubuntu does.
Old 08-04-2008, 01:13 PM
  #26  
Team Owner
 
TS_eXpeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 23,451
Received 54 Likes on 27 Posts
'Chipset Model: GeForce 8600M GT'


Old 08-04-2008, 01:14 PM
  #27  
Team Owner
 
TS_eXpeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 23,451
Received 54 Likes on 27 Posts
Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
I'm anxiously awaiting to hear what Apple will be doing.

New laptop!?

I hope we get somethin.
Old 08-04-2008, 02:00 PM
  #28  
Trucki!!
iTrader: (1)
 
lembowski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: SoCal
Age: 42
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
i'll check my model when i get home
Old 08-04-2008, 04:20 PM
  #29  
Drifting
 
jmathew34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Maryland
Age: 45
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
ATI ftw
Old 08-04-2008, 06:33 PM
  #30  
Pro
 
blueracer17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Age: 47
Posts: 647
Received 34 Likes on 28 Posts
I have an Invidia 7600 in my HP DV9260nr laptop. It says on the HP site that mine is not included in the enhanced warranty deal. Any thoughts?
Old 08-04-2008, 06:49 PM
  #31  
All About Trance
 
mn2trance's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 4,561
Received 124 Likes on 109 Posts
Good thing we had chosen the default Intel GPU on our Dells at work.
Old 08-04-2008, 06:50 PM
  #32  
Not Asian
 
phipark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: St. Louis
Age: 45
Posts: 13,409
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Quadro NVS 110M

Am I good?
Old 08-04-2008, 07:52 PM
  #33  
Kang Ho
 
SupaRookie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJ, CA
Age: 41
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Ati
Old 08-04-2008, 08:32 PM
  #34  
Dragging knees in
iTrader: (2)
 
Pure Adrenaline's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Seattle Area
Age: 42
Posts: 12,434
Received 32 Likes on 21 Posts
NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go (Toshiba)


This article explains A LOT since my laptop has been acting weird for the past few months. Out of nowhere, the screen would go berserk, freeze up, and the computer itself would lock up. I am forced to do a hard reboot.
Old 08-04-2008, 08:35 PM
  #35  
Suzuka Master
 
mrdeeno's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lower Nazzie, Pa
Age: 46
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
wait...so if my XPS 1330 laptop dies because of the Nvidia card, does that mean I won't have a chance to delete all my porn before sending it back?
Old 08-04-2008, 08:49 PM
  #36  
I don't have a Ferrari in
 
mastertl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
wait...so if my XPS 1330 laptop dies because of the Nvidia card, does that mean I won't have a chance to delete all my porn before sending it back?
back it up now, then pm later
Old 08-04-2008, 10:54 PM
  #37  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
Originally Posted by Pure Adrenaline
NVIDIA GeForce4 440 Go (Toshiba)


This article explains A LOT since my laptop has been acting weird for the past few months. Out of nowhere, the screen would go berserk, freeze up, and the computer itself would lock up. I am forced to do a hard reboot.
NO your laptop is affected cause that card is too old! How old is that laptop 5-6 years?
Old 08-04-2008, 10:59 PM
  #38  
I got the Shifts
iTrader: (5)
 
phee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
Posts: 14,203
Received 230 Likes on 163 Posts
Originally Posted by NighthawkCruiser
My MacBook Pro 2.2GHz has it.....GeForce 8600M GT. Wonder how Apple will react.
x2
pm me if you find anything out
Old 08-04-2008, 10:59 PM
  #39  
Sanest Florida Man
Thread Starter
 
#1 STUNNA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 44,512
Received 10,815 Likes on 6,569 Posts
Idd like to hear something official from Nvidia but IDk when that will happen since they seem to be squashing any mention of it on their forums.
Old 08-05-2008, 12:24 AM
  #40  
LIST/RAMEN/WING MAHSTA 짱
iTrader: (16)
 
princelybug's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Orange, CA
Posts: 22,454
Received 207 Likes on 158 Posts
ATI +3.


Quick Reply: Attention All Laptop Owners Massive Recall, Read This!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:17 PM.