Nvidia G84m/G86m faulty chip happen to Vaio??

[6800gt]

I just wonder if anyone has the alleged graphic problem with your vaio series. I got AR51J with 8400m GT early this year. So far it works fine, but not sure it would die shortly :smileysad:. What's the sony's response?

origin story: All Nvidia G84 and G86s are bad
http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/07/09/nvidia-g84-g86-bad

Channel Vendors Demand Graphics Cards Suppliers to Recall Potentially Faulty Nvidia GeForce Graphics Cards.
Resellers Want to Return Potentially Faulty Nvidia GeForce Graphics Boards to Makers
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/video/display/20080725123120_Channel_Vendors_Demand_Graphics_Cards_Supp...

[Sealbhach]

OK, here's the reply I got from Sony today, it sounds fairly reasonable so I think I'll go for it. Also, here are the pics I sent them of my screen:


http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1527486/nvidiafail1.JPG

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/1527486/nvidiafail2.JPG

Dear Mr. xxxxxxxx,

Once the issue is the nvidia issue your Vaio will be repaired free of charge.

Please note that the repair time around is 5 working days depending on the part availability and payments.

 

The courier will collect the VAIO from your address.

Please follow these instructions in the presence of the DHL courier. This is required by DHL to ensure the secure nature of the transported product.

 

- Open the box and take out the plastic bag and 2 DHL Air Way Bill (AWB) labels. If the courier arrives without a box then do NOT give your unit to the courier.”

 

- Hand only your Vaio laptop (without any accessories) to the DHL courier who will place the VAIO in the box provided by DHL. If the VAIO has a power issue, then the ac adapter and battery need to be included also.

 

- Once the courier has placed your Vaio laptop in the box provided by DHL, the courier has to insert this box in the sealable security bag, making sure to fully seal the bag once the box has been inserted. As the return address labels are printed onto the secured transport bag, these should not be removed or obstructed.

 

 

Payment will be involved only if there is no problem found or if the VAIO is physically damaged. In this case should you wish to send back the VAIO unrepaired there is a flat fee aprox 148.14 gbp incl vat.

Please back up your personal data before shipping the Vaio to the repair center as Sony do not take any responsibility for their lose.

All replacement parts became property of Sony.

 

If you provide us with a mobile phone number, then you will receive an SMS once the unit arrives at the repair centre and on the day it ships from the repair centre.

 

Should you accept above repair terms and conditions please reply with the following:

- Name and surname to whom should we address the box

- The collection pickup and delivery address

- Windows login name and password

- BIOS password

- Two best contact numbers

- Email address only if you are able to access it from another computer

 

Regards

John

Sony Vaio Link Team

[Thalamus.]

OK, here's the reply I got from Sony today, it sounds fairly reasonable so I think I'll go for it. Also, here are the pics I sent them of my screen:

Hope all goes well Sealbhach..

[jagjami]

Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31M med Nividia GeForce 8400M GT GPU

I bought the laptop in January 2008 for more an 12.000sek (bought notebok in Sweden) and have constant problems with heating and graphics.
Had different notebook from 2003 and never had problems with other notebook.
I thought until a few days ago before that it only deals with my Vaio, but now I found the vaio forum that many people have the same problem and that Sony might ignore os.
I apologize because I do not speak English but I understand English.

[Thalamus.]

Hi slaswe,

I thought until a few days ago before that it only deals with my Vaio, but now I found the vaio forum that many people have the same problem and that Sony might ignore os.

I'm not aware of Sony ignoring anyone who has distorted video, random characters or blank screen issues due to failure of the NVIDIA graphics chip on any of the Vaio models listed below..

VGN-FZ11x, VGN-FZ18x, VGN-FZ21x, VGN-FZ31x, VGN-FZ38x
VGN-AR11x, VGN-AR21x, VGN-AR31x
VGN-C1Zx, VGN-C2Zx
VGC-LM1xx, VGC-LM2xx
VGC-LT1xx, VGC-LT2xx


Do you have NVIDIA graphics problem on your FZ31M if so have you contacted Vaio support?

[vikasnaugraiya]

From the last 8 weeks sony people are playing with me.. with no fair answer so many times a track the situation every time same answer .. that u will soon as possible..sony are no more relible as before..

[Thalamus.]

From the last 8 weeks sony people are playing with me..  with no fair answer so many times a track the situation every time same answer .. that u will soon as possible..sony are no more relible as before..

Hi vikasnaugraiya,

I don't quite understand you post - Has you Vaio problem been resolved.

[furrymurphy]

Hi Folks, just adding my experiences to this post too. I feel that the busier and angrier this forum gets..the more likely that someone..somewhere may take note..

I have a VGN NR21Z purchased in May 2008, which started to do exactly the same as all the others in July of this year 15 months old... ( It's now unusable).

This morning I had an online chat with Pedro (Sony support)..who told me this model is NOT in the recall list.He arranged for the repair people to call me. They did..a nice guy whose name I didn't catch told me..that IF it was the graphics card, then of course it would be repaired FOC..but if they found out it was another problem..then I'd be charged..heftily. I just can't take the risk of Sony "finding" another problem as seems to have happened to several of you here. My business folded this year (credit crunch) and I just can't afford any "hidden" bills.

However the guy at the repair centre did say..it was a "common repair case" he also suggested that as my Vaio is out of warranty it wouldn't damage the warranty agreement if I got it repaired somewhere cheaper...now surely thats not right is it? An employee of Sony, telling me to find another repair service? Hmmm.. he also told me that while my Vaio has the same graphics card as those that have been recalled, it was those in a certain batch which had faulty material ( not in mine apparently).Odd though how it's displaying exactly the same symptoms though.

I will be keeping a close eye on this thread, and certainly will not be recommending Sony to anyone! Unless and until they wake up and smell the coffee!

[vicky4sony]

if they found out it was another problem..then I'd be charged..heftily. I just can't take the risk of Sony "finding" another problem as seems to have happened to several of you here. 

Hi, Just a comment .. I had similar problem and my laptop was repaired FOC 2 months ago and working fine so far.

I am not sure if someone has reported on this thread that sony has told that fault with such symptom is not due to graphics card but something else after collecting and invastigating the laptop.

I have been also told exact words 'if they found out it was another problem..then I'd be charged'. Even I took photographs before sending so that I have proof that my laptop was not broken (it may happen in shipping). I think it is a general statement said to all. Don't know if u might have other problems which seems less possible to me.

[furrymurphy]

Hi Vicky,

Was referring to blaufisk's post of 30/09/09 and also several posts which state that they had to pay for a new motherboard.

I'm not a technical genius, I only know that my Vaio is showing me the same distorted graphics as those in the pictures of other forum users and that it has the same NVidea 8400 GT card.

I would certainly take photos though before considering sending it for repair...it's just that unknown factor that really worries me. I think I will have to wait and see...

[jogger100]

I have just had my FZ21S collected by Sony repair. I am not feeling very confident of a good outcome having read this forum. The only real hope is to keep posting on this and other fora until a critical mass is reached when Sony realize their profits may suffer and then they will genuinely address this problem. Most of us in the past were willing to pay extra for a Sony product because of the good reputation.That can soon change,we must make Sony aware of that.