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Well, I killed my ATI All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro

MrChad

MrChad

Lifer
Early last week I decided to replace the stock HSF on my ATI All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro with an Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer. The installation went (seemingly) without a hitch. The chip was applied with Arctic Silver 3, the heatsink got warm when powered on, and the fan was blowing as designed.

Fast forward to this morning. Randomly while working on some tax forms (nothing graphically intensive), my video signal abruptly dies. I attempt to reboot with no luck. I shut down my computer and allow it to cool. No luck.

I replaced my AIW with my old GeForce 3 card. Boots without a problem. Great.

Now I try and remove and replace my VGA Silencer. There is no visible damage on the AIW card. Even after reapplying AS3, no luck. My power supply is an Antec TruePower 430, so that's not an issue. I try a different power connector just in case. Still no luck.

I don't really know what my options are now. I guess the card is dead? Doesn't ATI have built-in protection against heat? And why did the card run fine for over a week before dying? I have to admit that I have only myself to blame. I didn't keep an eye on my video card temps, and that was probably my undoing. I just feel sh1tty now. Anyone have any suggestions?

Update:

I used ATI's web form and got an RMA number. I shipped it out today, so I'll see what they say.

Update #2:

They are shipping me a new card. :Q I'm a bit surprised that they didn't contact me regarding the circumstances (my letter detailed EVERYTHING, including the non-stock cooler I used and my awareness that this procedure voided my warranty), but kudos to ATI for their customer support! They'll make a repeat customer out of me. :thumbsup:
 
The card is probably dead. Whats worse is that by removing the stock HSF you probably voided your warranty.
 
Originally posted by: Abix
The card is probably dead. Whats worse is that by removing the stock HSF you probably voided your warranty.
Click to expand...

I know. *sigh*

$300 down the drain.
 
Email ATI tell them the whole story. Don't lie or "forget" to tell them certain details. I have read some accounts where ATI has been extremely lenient with users who installed an arctic cooling product onto their card. Although it does kill your warantee, if you are striaght with them, they may forgive the fact that your warantee is void and still issue you an RMA.

This isnt a gurantee, but heck, what do you have to lose now? Just be upfront with them about all details, and see if they are having a good day.
 
Your warrenty is voided when replacing your cooling on your Video card?
That seems weird, and even so, coudlnt u just put back your stock cooler on the card and then send it to RMA ?
 
Originally posted by: gamerj
Your warrenty is voided when replacing your cooling on your Video card?
That seems weird, and even so, coudlnt u just put back your stock cooler on the card and then send it to RMA ?
Click to expand...

If you wanted a few trillion points of bad karma, yeah, you probably could.
 
Originally posted by: Tiamat
Email ATI tell them the whole story. Don't lie or "forget" to tell them certain details. I have read some accounts where ATI has been extremely lenient with users who installed an arctic cooling product onto their card. Although it does kill your warantee, if you are striaght with them, they may forgive the fact that your warantee is void and still issue you an RMA.

This isnt a gurantee, but heck, what do you have to lose now? Just be upfront with them about all details, and see if they are having a good day.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I will give this a shot and let you guys know what happens.
 
Just tell the the truth on what happened and *ask* them to fix it, warranty or not. I'm pretty sure the could fix it and all would not be lost. At most they would charge labor plus parts which I doubt would be a whole lot.

Good luck.
 
Chaotic42:

What i meant by my post is actually this: The stock coolers arent usually great, and an "arctic silencer", or a "zalman v700" are recognized as good coolers right ?..(lower temps than stock, so actually better for your card)

Going from there and assuming that the cooler is placed correctly*(and agreed, thats the tricky part), i find it strange that the warrenty be voided by putting a (better) cooler on your card...

For a RMA the card should be complete, with all the original parts...that i can understand fully...> hense :"put back your stock cooler on your card and then send it to RMA"..

Ive heard of ATI's very reasonable policy about RMA'...and by no means i meant trying to trick the company in replacing/repairing your damaged card, i could imagine such things could have a negative effect on the reasonable policy, and by doing that, u spoil it for others, who are in title of a RMA

I was just wondering why warrenty would be voided by replacing your stock cooler with a well know, good quality cooler...

that is all



 
It voids the warranty because the existing (from the factory) heatsink and fan are perfectly competent - they were designed to work just fine with the original hardware under normal operating conditions.

Depending on the skill of the person replacing the HSF, it could go well, or it could be screwed up. ATI shouldn't have to bear the expense of people that don't know what they're doing..... actually, they wouldn't ... they'd pass it along to the future consumers.

If you want to OC (and need the additional cooling), and know what you're doing ... it's not a problem: things work, life is good, warrnaty is not an issue (unless the card dies a "natural" death ... then you're hosed).

If you don't know what you're doing and start smoking components, then you should be willing to absorb the cost of your education. Learn with cheap stuff, and when you know what you're doing, then move up to the pricey stuff. Make's sense, right?

FWIW

Scott



 
I have to admit that I have only myself to blame. I didn't keep an eye on my video card temps, and that was probably my undoing.
Click to expand...

Well, its not like you can with an AIW 9800pro anyway since there is no thermal probe. I'd still call ATI and try to RMA. There is thread in video now about a user cracking the core on his 9600XT after installing an Arctic Cooler..RMA'd it to ATI and disclosed exactly what he did...and ATI sent him a new 9600XT.
 
Update:

I used ATI's web form and got an RMA number. I shipped it out today, so I'll see what they say.
 
I wish you luck, I will be sending mine in for RMA on monday.

I didn't do anything to it (that I know of), but it started giving me major video
corruption on the desktop. I finally decided to RMA it when I figured out how
to consitently cause the display to flake out.

I hope we both will get good repair/replacement service (athough I'd prefer
replacement).

 
So overclocking does NOT void your warrenty?
What i mean by that is: say your card dies for some reason, and you call ATI and say, well, i overclocked the living sh*t out of my card, but i know what im doing....all will be good?
Ive heard ati is pretty reasonable when it comes to warrenty's...but OFFICIALLY warrenty is voided by overclocking right?
Even though many cards come with overclocking utilities?

just curious to know ^^^^
 
Originally posted by: gamerj
So overclocking does NOT void your warrenty?
What i mean by that is: say your card dies for some reason, and you call ATI and say, well, i overclocked the living sh*t out of my card, but i know what im doing....all will be good?
Ive heard ati is pretty reasonable when it comes to warrenty's...but OFFICIALLY warrenty is voided by overclocking right?
Even though many cards come with overclocking utilities?

just curious to know ^^^^
Click to expand...

It's why eBay has an OEM fixer selling a-l-o-t of 9800 Pro and XT cards. ATI must of had a lot of RMAs, which the OEM fixer is trying to recover some cost from.

People can get good deals, but the whole OC thing drives up the costs for all hardware. Now folks are accustomed to paying $500 for the newest videocard, while the videocard manufacturer is expecting the card to fry. Charge $300 or $500 for the card that maybe at most costs $100 to $200 make, they'll still make a profit while consumers get shafted. It's almost like the industry is asking folks to OC, so to rip folks off (why the warranties are so lenient now, too).

 
I believe it's implied.

If the factory-standard equipment is adequate (by design) why else whould you want to replace the HSF?

OC=more heat="need more HSF"

The stated replacement is no quieter than the original.

Maybe it was just "prettier," or "cuter" or perhaps it matched the OP's eyecolor a little better ..... maybe it's just more awesome-bitchin' outrageous dude.

Personally, I don't care beyond that it seems he toasted it, he should have to eat the cost, not ATI (and later, the consumer), IMHO.

FWIW

Scott


 
A friend of mine messed up his $400+ Radeon 9800 Pro a few years back when he messed up installing his water cooler. The card wasn't even used for a week, and now it's been sitting in the box it came in, in the kid's basement. I should ask them if they can do something for that.
 
Hmmm PEBKAC induced failures where the guilty party fails to admit to his fault (to the OEM/MFR) and requests RMA are not welcome here. This is a good way to flush your trust down the drain.

Cheers!
 
Originally posted by: ScottMac
I believe it's implied.

If the factory-standard equipment is adequate (by design) why else whould you want to replace the HSF?

OC=more heat="need more HSF"

The stated replacement is no quieter than the original.

Maybe it was just "prettier," or "cuter" or perhaps it matched the OP's eyecolor a little better ..... maybe it's just more awesome-bitchin' outrageous dude.

Personally, I don't care beyond that it seems he toasted it, he should have to eat the cost, not ATI (and later, the consumer), IMHO.

FWIW

Scott
Click to expand...

I didn't overclock. I replaced the stock HSF in an effort to quiet down my PC.

I will gladly eat the cost if I have to. I made it very clear to ATI what I did and what happened to my card. If they choose to replace it and eat the cost, that's their business decision and I won't feel guilty about it. I haven't misled them in any way.
 
Originally posted by: ScottMac
I believe it's implied.

If the factory-standard equipment is adequate (by design) why else whould you want to replace the HSF?

OC=more heat="need more HSF"

The stated replacement is no quieter than the original.

Maybe it was just "prettier," or "cuter" or perhaps it matched the OP's eyecolor a little better ..... maybe it's just more awesome-bitchin' outrageous dude.

Personally, I don't care beyond that it seems he toasted it, he should have to eat the cost, not ATI (and later, the consumer), IMHO.

FWIW

Scott
Click to expand...

Well gee Scott, I just replaced the stock cooler on my AIW9700pro with a VGA cooler rev3 because the stock cooling wasn't adequate on the card I've owned for over 2 years. My installation went fine and I'm enjoying the much better cooling performance and much quieter operation. I expect I'll own it another couple years also. I don't overclock my card.

Frankly, if a user requests an RMA for a product and discloses the details with the manufacturer including details that obviously "can" void the warranty...and the manufacturer agrees to RMA the card. I call it good service from the manufacturer and the user gets my respect for being honest about it.

You guys with your faux morality is getting a little old in the video forum. Implied my ass😛

Edit: LOL, I thought I was in Video P/N .....looks like its speading.
 
Frankly, if a user requests an RMA for a product and discloses the details with the manufacturer including details that obviously "can" void the warranty...and the manufacturer agrees to RMA the card. I call it good service from the manufacturer and the user gets my respect for being honest about it.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Communication is the key, not deception. You'd be surprised at how far a company might go to keep you as a customer if you are honest.

I have done this a few times with various products. Most of the mfgs replaced or repaired the item I screwed up anyway even though they had no obligation to bail me out. I am still loyal to those companies, and I still have a clear conscience. 😀

I do the same thing to my customers. I do a lot of stuff for free, that I am technically supposed to charge for.
 
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