Dell Inspiron 9400/E1705 Video Corruption
Greetings!
I just recently experienced some graphics corruption issues with my nVidia GEForce GO 7900GS. This is a video card that is part of my laptop and so it is a highly proprietary (read: expensive!) component.
I wanted to document my experience with repairing it as I think it is something that Dell should have proactively mitigated. Because they haven't, I think there are many people out there getting a rather raw deal.
If you own a Dell Inspiron with a GeForce video card, and are experiencing graphics corruption, read on!
If you didn't buy any extended warranty coverage, you will be out of luck. Even to get a new card. Most of what you can obtain is refurbished or liable to break as well. It is now 2010 and the 9400/E1705s are from around 2006/2007.
Because of this, I had all but given up until I came across some forum discussions speaking about a technique known as "baking" your video card.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, I decided I would give this rather dubious technique a shot!
So. First thing's first, I have to cover some points.
If you are experiencing some weird green/blue dots all over your DELL bootup logo, and green columns of dots and other glitches in your video, you most likely are experiencing the same issue as me.
Keeping that in mind, you may also not be. Please be aware that you do this at your own risk.
If your laptop is still covered by warranty, please do not try this. While I feel as though this solution has the potential to be superior to warranty replacement, it's important that you continue to get support from Dell. Heck, they might even replace your laptop if you got extended coverage long enough!
Anyway, the technique is simple. Preheat your oven to ~385F. It doesn't have to be exact, but try to get as close as possible, going over if you can't be precise.
Most instructions I read suggested 10 to 15 minutes at 400F, but I thought that would be a bit much for the smaller laptop card.
Take a small baking sheet and lay a sheet of foil over it. Then, roll some foil into three 3/4" balls.
With the heat sink on the left, place one ball underneath it. Then place the other two on the right to support the rest of the cards weight. You can push down a little to flatten the tops of the balls, but so long as it stays put, you're good.
Once the oven has heated to 385F, place it on the middle rack and time eight minutes. Once the card is out, remove the card and place it near the oven to slowly cool off.
After about 20 minutes, the card should be cool to the touch and can be placed back into your laptop where - if all goes well - it will be back in action!
I hope that anyone else with the same laptop as me gets a chance to read this post before giving up entirely. This laptop has lasted me three years and I hope to have it for at least three more beyond that.
I know with Ubuntu I can do it, it's just a matter of the hardware lasting long enough now!
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