Faulty NVIDIA GPUs being replaced in the US

jones.ci

Feb 2007: I bought a Dell M1710 laptop with an NVIDIA 7950 GTX graphics card.

~June 2010: Graphics card in my laptop dies. I search online, see it's a common problem but the only option is to buy a new card, which is rather expensive. So instead, I buy a new PC.

Jan 2011: I read this article on Engadget. NVIDIA has to replace or compensate for faulty GPUs in the US due to a class-action lawsuit. The list of affect laptops (Dell, HP and Apple) is extensive and includes my M1710.


So my question is, what does this mean for us in the rest of the world? I would guess NVIDIA would rather avoid replacing any faulty graphics cards unless they are forced to (as has happened in the US). But do any of us non-US people have any kind of claim to get replacements? Distribution of faulty cards was not limited to the US (as far as I am aware).

I know its hopeful, but does anyone have any idea what any of us in the UK can do to get working laptops again?

Any input would be much appreciated.

vikingaero

nVidia had a major problem with their graphics cards on laptops of this era. They normally failed not long after the 1 year warranty expired. Companies such as HP and Dell did provide a fix at that time. But even then, some people had problems getting their laptops repaired by them.

I had the same problem with my Zoostorm laptop and had it repaired for about £100. Using Speedfan I could see that the nVidia chip was running at 90C, whereas on my Acer it runs at 50-60C even in the summer.

I think you're going to have a tough time getting redress after 3 years.

When I bought my replacement laptop I made sure it wasn't a Zoostorm (they can go and Foxtrot Oscar) and that it had an ATi Radeon graphics card.

jones.ci

I've been reading around a few forums on the internet, and things don't really look great for anyone. A lot of people who should be covered in the US think they wont get repairs or replacements, since NVIDA has offered $2 million, which doesn't sound like enough to cover all the faulty systems sold.

I had a 2 year warrenty with my laptop and it broke a while after that expired. I have read on the internet that Dell extended warrenties for a number of laptops by a year (worldwide) due to the NVIDIA problem, however, that didn't seem to include the M1710.

I would like to email Dell about this, but as an out of warrenty customer, it seems they only offer expensive phone options for contacting them. Does anyone know an email address for Dell UK?