Help! Dell d630 laptop video/display issue

[rakuhntur]

Hey there -- Just encountered this issue yesterday. While browsing my screen hung up, flickered a bit, then eventually turned white. After a while, colored vertical "bands" started appearing (looked like a cool screen saver).

Eventually had to reboot and there seemed to be no problem, at first. Then it hung up again and automatically restarted my computer. Right as it started to boot up, there was a white horizontal line going across the screen, ultimately splitting my screen in half (I see 2 windows logos, 2 desktops, 2 start menus, etc.)

I'd post a SS but it only recognizes one half of my screen (top or bottom) as the full screen so I can't capture the "split".

Any help greatly appreciated!

 

[Creig]

Check to see if you have one of the D630s equipped with either an Nvidia G84 or G86 GPU. If you do, they were found to be unreliable due to a manufacturing defect.

Report: NVIDIA issues cover all G84 and G86 GPUs

The last I heard, Nvidia had set aside $200 million dollars to cover warranty repairs. If you have a G84 or G86, I would contact Dell and ask them what procedure they have to assess whether you are one of the affected customers and if the G84/G86 issue is indeed what you are experiencing. I believe some manufacturers have extended the warranty on affected laptop models by an additional year.

 

[Keysplayr]

I think the D630 only came with two graphics options:

Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

128MB NVIDIA® Quadro NVS 135M

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: Keysplayr
I think the D630 only came with two graphics options:

Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

128MB NVIDIA® Quadro NVS 135M

Dell Latitude D630 Bios A12

Dell Latitude D630 Bios A12
This BIOS update has been issued following the reported Nvidia G84 and G86 defective video cards.

Dell recommends that you flash your system BIOS.
This BIOS update modifies the fan profile to help regulate GPU temperature fluctuations. Note: if you are already experiencing video-related issues like:
* Multiple images
* Random characters on the screen
* Lines on the screen
* No video ,updating the BIOS will not correct them. Dell will provide support for customers who have experienced GPU failure according to the terms of the system warranty.

These BIOS updates will help reduce the likelihood of GPU issues. New systems are being shipped with the updated BIOS revisions. Here's the list of the latest BIOS versions. Click on the links below to download them.



It is highly recommended to always use the most recent driver version available.
Do not forget to check with our site as often as possible in order to stay updated on the latest drivers, software and games.

Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver. This will help if you installed a wrong driver. Problems can arise when your hardware device is too old or not supported any longer. you can free download Dell Latitude D630 Bios A12 1.0 now.

System Requirements:
No special requirements.

Program Release Status:
Program Install Support: Install Only

 

[Creig]

NVIDIA GPU Update: Limited Warranty Enhancements Details

This is my fourth post on this topic.

Since I first blogged about this back in July, I?ve received many comments from Direct2Dell readers. Before I share more, it?s important to note that many customers may not ever experience video issues related to this, especially if you have updated to the latest BIOS. In other words, just because you have one of the systems in the chart below with an NVIDIA GPU, does not mean you will have video-related problems. If you do experience them, however, we will support you.

Dell Product Name

Dell Precision M2300
Latitude D630
Vostro Notebook 1400
Dell Precision M4300
Latitude D630c
Vostro Notebook 1510
Dell Precision M65
Latitude D820
Vostro Notebook 1710
Inspiron 1420
Latitude D830
XPS M1330
Latitude D620
Vostro Notebook 1310
XPS M1530


For those customers who haven?t read my previous posts, here?s the summary. My initial post defined the issue and explained that we published BIOS updates (hyperlinked above) that could help reduce the likelihood of GPU failures. In my second post, I published a list of systems that the issue could potentially affect. In my third post, I explained that we intended to offer a 12-month limited warranty enhancement specific to this issue.

Today, we?re moving forward with that intention.

Again, the limited warranty enhancement is specific to this issue and will extend coverage by 12 months from the date the original warranty term for the laptop expires. For example, one-year warranties will be extended to 24 months for this issue only. The maximum combined period for the initial warranty and the limited-warranty enhancement is 60 months. Systems purchased with 60-month warranties will not be extended. Customers whose warranties have expired will be eligible for this limited warranty enhancement from the date the initial warranty expired.

This table above contains the list of laptops that are eligible for this limited warranty enhancement. If your system is not listed, no action is required. Please note that because it is specific to this issue, the warranty enhancement will not be reflected in your overall system warranty that is listed on support.dell.com if you are logged in.

Over the last several weeks, we have been working with our service teams to ensure that we provide support for all customers worldwide affected by this issue. If your system contains an NVIDIA graphics solution AND it is experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, please contact Dell Technical Support for troubleshooting:

* Intermittent video issues
* Multiple images
* Random characters on the screen
* Lines on the screen
* No video

Customers in the United States can use phone numbers on this page to contact Dell Technical Support.

Here?s the process for customers outside the United States:

* Go to support.dell.com
* At the very bottom of the page, select your country in the Choose a Country/Region field
* Choose Contact Us on the left hand side
* Click on the More Details link in the Contact Tech Support section
* Click on the green Telephone button under the Call Tech Support section

If you still need help after contacting technical support for this issue, please let me know in the comment thread of this post. Thanks for your patience through this process.

 

[Keysplayr]

Nice!! Good to know they're on top of it.

 

[ogerom]

I bought a Dell latitude D620 but after installing new operating system Windows XP there is a white vertical line in the middle of the screen. What might be the problem? Waiting for your response

 

[SlowSpyder]

In case you guys didn't know, if you hold the 'Fn' button when you power up Dell Latitudes it will boot to a diagnostic check. It'll run a graphics test, though it's short and may not help much.

You could always connect the laptop to an external monitor and see if the external monitor continues to display without issue, if it does then it's probably the display itself. My guess is it is related to the video/mainboard though, so you should see the same problems on the external monitor in that case.

 

[CrimsonSk3tch]

In case you guys didn't know, if you hold the 'Fn' button when you power up Dell Latitudes it will boot to a diagnostic check. It'll run a graphics test, though it's short and may not help much.

You could always connect the laptop to an external monitor and see if the external monitor continues to display without issue, if it does then it's probably the display itself. My guess is it is related to the video/mainboard though, so you should see the same problems on the external monitor in that case.

Being a Dell Tech the FN key is for diagnostics. Yes it runs an LCD test, but if the LCD is not working to narrow it down you need to run the LCD built in test. To do that you need to hold down the D key and turn the Laptop on. When you do that you should see the screen come one and full screen colors should show and it will change colors. When that test is done it should boot up normally.

 

[repairy]

hi guys i need some real help......

i called dell technical support and they confirmed my laptop is eligible for repair for free due to the graphics engineering fault BUT

they said this laptop was originally purchased by a company and i have to tell them the company name if they want me to repair it.

I BOUGHT IT FROM GUMTREE AND I HAVE NO WAY OF FINDING OUT

can someone tell me the company name if i give you the dell service tag?

thanks in advance, screwed...

 

[repairy]

hi guys i need some real help......

i called dell technical support and they confirmed my laptop is eligible for repair for free due to the graphics engineering fault BUT

they said this laptop was originally purchased by a company and i have to tell them the company name if they want me to repair it.

I BOUGHT IT FROM GUMTREE AND I HAVE NO WAY OF FINDING OUT

can someone tell me the company name if i give you the dell service tag?

thanks in advance, screwed...

 

[donr1935]

Hi. I don't know if you still need the info or not, but I have purchased a few dell corporate returns without knowing the original company name. I have successfully transferred all of them. Go to Dell Support "ownership transfer". Where it asks for previous company name [asterisks} enter an "x" in both. If you enter anything else there it will deny transfer. Enter your own info. It will go through and any warranty will be authorized. Give it a try even if you have called and talked to them prior.